On February 17th 2014 I held my first public yoga class at our studio space in San Fernando. This is the day I hold as the start of being a yoga instructor even though I received certification the previous year and even though I had taught classes before. That day and that class marked a shift in how I think of myself and how I introduce myself to the world.

I am a yoga instructor. Those words hold so much.

In this past decade my understanding of yoga and of myself has changed, has grown and evolved. In this space I have previously shared about my inspiration for becoming a yoga instructor as well as questions one should ask oneself before becoming a yoga instructor. I have shared definitions of yoga from various texts and my own thoughts about practice.

What do the teachings of yoga give to us? In this moment I believe that the teachings provide us with tools for discernment, tools to live our lives to the fullest while becoming aware that we are more - more than this physical body, this emotional heart, this restless mind and ego. We build our understanding and come to the realisation that we are Divine.

It is a process and a practice. Over the past ten years I have been learning how to share in my spaces, learning what I am able to share, and what is beyond me. Learning how to be a conduit, a channel.

I had no real ideas about what becoming a yoga instructor would be like. There was just that desire to share. Looking back now I can say that my first classes were a bit all over the place as I figured out my style of teaching, my presence and how to hold space for people to discover themselves. Over time I have gained more understanding and ability, more refinement in technique and more opening of heart.

It is important to recognise that we are each here for a purpose. We each have our calling and it is for us to clarify what that is and how we go about it. In Hindu culture there is the concept of swadharma - in Sanskrit ‘swa’ means ‘oneself or own’ and ‘dharma’ means ‘duty’. Our swadharma is dependent on our unique nature, our gifts, our responsibilities and choices of actions. When we uphold our swadharma we live a life in accordance with what is right for us according to who we are and the roles we are called to play. Our actions then benefit our community and the spaces we inhabit.

It is my hope and constant prayer that this is what I am doing.

As I reflect on these past ten years, here are three things that I wish to share:

1. One can come to yoga through many means. At first I only offered classes, then I started hosting workshops, events and retreats. Each avenue offers a different blend of practices - as an example: classes tend to work more with the body and in doing so build awareness of the other layers of being, while retreats tend to focus more on personal reflection and sharing in community.
2. Community can be built over many years or a few hours. Some of my clients have been with me since 2014. Through our classes I have seen relationships grow and expand, friendships bud and bloom. Some of my clients are newer but have met me through events and retreats (which are 3 hours long to, at most, a weekend together). The development of bonds of caring and support has been beautiful to witness and to be a part of.
3. Yoga is truly for any and everyone. In this decade I have worked with children as young as five (5) and adults as old as ninety-two (92). I have worked with people who are very fit and healthy and people who are not due to illness, injury or some type of trauma. I have shared sessions on yoga mats and on chairs, in schools and in workplaces and at homes. In most cases there has been a measure of ease, an opening up to self, a developing curiosity to explore more, a depth of strengthening that is both physical and not.

Today I give thanks for all that I have been able to do and for all that I have learnt along the way. I give thanks for those I have met and shared with, those I have held space for and those who have held space for me.

Here’s to 10 years as a yoga instructor!

Love,

Renee Arundhati