This post is not quite a continuation of my first post about becoming a yoga instructor but more thoughts related to the idea of becoming a yoga instructor.

It stems from some stories I shared on my Instagram account. First, I shared a flyer advertising Reiki I certification coming up soon at the Blue Star. Then I shared that I have had my Reiki I certification for some years now but have not followed up on obtaining further certifications. At the time I stated that I have never had an active interest in going further. On reflection, that is not quite true. Initially I had wanted to go further but my teacher was abroad and then she passed. Over the years there have been opportunities for me to attain Reiki II and upwards but I have never felt as comfortable with the teachers offering it. I am thankful that I have taken the time to reflect on whether I really wanted to pursue further certification. Offering Reiki to others is not my calling.

As I shared in my stories, I would advise everyone to obtain Reiki Level I certification which focuses on self-healing but I would not advise everyone to pursue Level II certification (which allows us to offer Reiki to others) without some serious introspection. Is this something you are called to do? How comfortable are you with energy healing? Are you in a space to offer that to others?

In my third story, I shared that this applies to becoming a yoga instructor as well. People should take the time to think about why they want to be a yoga instructor, about who they are doing this for, about what is the reasoning behind attaining certification.

It is very easy now to obtain yoga instructor certificates if one has the money and the time - 200 hours, 500 hours. From my own experience I have learnt that these trainings, certifications and the hours asked for, do not take into account the many hours that traditional practitioners have accrued or the wisdom that has been shared and passed down to us. If I think about my involvement with yoga from childhood, I cannot begin to count the hours spent at youth camps, at retreats and workshops, and in satsangs. I cannot count the hours of my own practice because yoga is so much a part of my life.

Traditionally, one would learn and practice yoga under the guidance of Gurus and teachers for at least twelve years before thinking about becoming a teacher. If one became a teacher then one would teach and continue one’s own study for another twelve years before considering teaching those who would become teachers.

As I shared in my IG stories, the world has changed and while this is not widely followed now, it is still worth thinking about. As with any profession, there should be years of practice and study before one accepts the duty of teaching. How much time is dedicated to our own practice? Why do we want to be teachers? Who do we want to teach? How will we teach them?

What does it mean to be a yoga instructor?

I am seeing more and more people, here in my country and worldwide, becoming teachers. It is my hope that they ask themselves these questions, that they reflect on their own practice and who is guiding them.

peace,

Renee Arundhati