The most important teacher in the whole, yoga world.

We live in a material world, and increasingly are becoming aware of the complications of consumerism. For years, we have been sent the message that our information needs to come from outside of us. We are asked to dim our internal radar, and pay more attention to the messages sent to us from teachers, companies, government, magazines, etc. This is life in a commercial, rather than spiritual, world.

Some have found that bringing greater emphasis to our spirituality is a good antidote. For some, practicing yoga, including the philosophy, has offered some relief.

But, guess what? Yoga has become a business, too. There are as many ideas, styles, and philosophies out there as brands of shampoo. And there are many teachers telling you that their way is the right way. How do we navigate this?

It would be easy to say "Well, go back to the ancient, undiluted philosophy. That's safe." But, living in the 21st century, does it always meet us where we are at, either in intention or presentation?  When teachers try to adapt and evolve some of the ancient teachings (yoga is a business, remember), how can we be certain they are keeping the gem of the teaching, and not just strive to create a new "brand"?

The first step is to realize that while that first dip into the pool of yoga can feel deliciously cool and invigorating, there is a lifeguard watching carefully from the shore, if we stay in his sights. That strong guy on the tall chair is your inner teacher.

Having experienced and observed myself and others, I offer that there are stages on the spiritual path. Initially, our enthusiasm fuels us like a shot of espresso, and we reach in all directions, like giant sponges, absorbing as much information and ideas as we can. It is all new and exciting, and we can't seem to get enough.

At some point we may reach another stage, however, were we need to assimilate, and even reject some of the ideas we've learned. We begin to reach deeper, for our own inner teacher, and our practice becomes more intensely personal and more discerning. We look outside less, and inside more.

I think the key is to be aware and to work to combine those two stages into one sustainable way of experiencing the yoga world today. If we are to truly benefit from all the learning we do in the "absorbing" stage, we need to pull in some of the qualities of the "assimilating" stage. We need to connect and maintain a dialogue with our inner teacher much sooner in the process.

This can be difficult when we feel we don't know very much. Yet, it is important that we realize that we really do know quite a bit. We've lived in our bodies for many years. Certainly we are the best judge of how they react when we enter certain asanas. We've dwelled in our minds since birth. We are certainly qualified to observe the affects of the breathing and meditation techniques we are shown.

As future instructors, you need to be open to ideas, but re-open your link to your inner wisdom. As you commit to a teacher training, to opening your mind and heart outward, you also need to open your mind and heart inward. As much as you need to commit to learn, you need to commit to feel.

I have taken two full 200-hour teacher trainings, as well as many other trainings, including an additional certification as a Ayurveda Yoga Specialist. I love learning, and always will. And, I love teaching. I feel one of the most important things I can teach the Focus Yoga trainees is how to tap into their inner teacher. There are two important reasons for this:

You are a unique individual, and not all practices that you will be exposed to will be as effective or useful for you as for the student on the mat next to you. If you are to truly utilize yoga as a life practice, you need to have the awareness radar fired up so you are not basing decisions about your personal practice simply on what you've been told by your "outer" teacher, but also by advice from your inner teacher.

Given that we are all individuals, with different bodies, minds and experiences, what works for you may not be effective for all of your students. You may experience an asana, pranayama, or teaching in a certain way, but your students bring different bodies and minds to the mat, and their experience may be different. A good teacher, (you!?) has a dialogue with the inner teacher, and will support their students in doing the same.

If you are interested in deepening your practice, or becoming an instructor, it is imperative that you develop this sensitivity in your practice. I know this can be difficult, so next week I will share some very specific steps you can take to stay connected with your own power and knowledge while you navigate the business world of yoga.

Focus Yoga offers a 200-hour teacher training designed to offer knowledge and help you connect with your own knowledge. We are offering a sampler of the Immersion this Sunday, August 19th from 4:00 - 6:00pm. Click here for more information.