What are the ingredients you need to make a successful teacher?
These are interesting questions. I think that the following qualities are recognisable in all prominent and respected teachers:
- Personality – these are interesting people.
- Commitment – they’re always to be found practicing and teaching, regardless of external circumstance. It’s not a fair weather thing.
- Drive – there’s a determination to progress themselves, their students and the wider practice of Yoga.
- Passion – they’re in it for the love of it.
- Knowledge – they have both broad and deep understanding of Yoga: from it’s ancient roots in an esoteric Eastern culture through to contemporary anatomical applications in the West today.
You inspire others
What makes a great teacher? A great teacher – I feel – is someone who inspires others. But lots of personality alone can be inspirational: commitment, drive and passion also if there is enough of it. Any of the above qualities can be inspirational to others.
You help others to help themselves through Yoga
So what’s the difference – what makes a successful teacher? A successful teacher is someone who can help others to help themselves through Yoga. For this, knowledge is key because without knowledge we cannot empower others. If the teacher doesn’t know then how will the students know? This knowledge – which needs to be both broad and deep – comes from direct learning and extensive self-practice. Great understanding is the platform that allows all the other personal qualities to shine through.
Our teacher training course sets you on the right path
The Yogafurie Teacher Training course has been carefully designed with this in mind. You will look at the philosophical roots of the tradition, understand how this leads to the pranic models of the subtle body, and experience this alive in your own system through breathing exercises and detailed posture work. You’ll further learn about how heat plays into it all – as a graduate, you’ll be qualified to teach both Hot Yoga and regular Yoga. Visit our Teacher Training pages to find out more.
