The teacher in me is a cheerleader. Is a supporter. As I’ve mentioned, isn’t likely to play devil’s advocate, but will always tell you YOU CAN DO IT until we’re both blue in the face.
In yoga, at the end of classes, the class sits facing the teacher, as they say something to the effect of “the teacher in me honors the teacher in you and in all things; namaste,” and we bow.
That resonated a little deeper today, as one of the instructors we worked with led us out of final savasana (“shuh-voss-uh-nuh,” the last resting pose, also known as “corpse pose”) after we completed a group practice teaching class.
As we sat there with spines long, eyes closed, and hands at heart center, she offered these words:
The teachers in us honor and thank the teachers in each and every one of you and your presence and your focus here in this time.
Namaste.
I was thinking about that as I drove home. About how students will be looking to us as guidance through their practice, and also how we as teachers will be looking at our students to identify what to practice and how to set them up safely. We’re a bunch of yogis learning from experienced instructors, from each other, from books, and from experiencing our own bodies in each of the postures.
We do a practice teaching exercise called a Round Robin, where essentially one person teaches a short portion of the class through a particular sequence and then someone else steps up. We’ve done this a few times with each other, so we’re teaching students – ourselves – that are familiar with the postures, that can anticipate the next move, and sometimes start to move into it before it’s cued, either out of habit or to help our fellow teachers-in-training if they seem to be searching for the next transition.
I’ve noticed going through this a couple of times now that there are some of us that will always be a half-second ahead, almost encouraging you, willing you to keep moving, keep instructing, a silent cry of YOU CAN DO IT! emanates from their spirits.
And there are others who know the postures but don’t move until you tell them exactly what to do, how to do it, and when to do it. And if you cue them wrong, they stay there until you figure it out.
At first, I found myself most grateful for the yogis that were a half-step ahead. Nerves could be slightly squashed by watching someone moving in the direction you were about to lead the class. As for the rest of them, I remember thinking, “Come on… help me out!”
And then I realized they were helping me out, in the best way they could. The fact that they allowed me to experience a pause, my nerves, a challenge, I was eventually able to work through it. I remembered the places I got stuck and was able to overcome those, speaking more confidently and more clearly the next time.
I thought through this as I drove home, letting the instructor’s words sink in:
The teachers in us honor and thank the teachers in each and every one of you.
And I wondered what they’d learned from helping us refine our teaching practice. I absorbed what I’d learned in their feedback (I talk fast when I’m nervous, no news there!). Then I took a moment in my heart and in my head to thank the teachers in my class who show compassion and guidance by sneaking a back foot down half a second early in Warrior II so I remember to go there next, and to the ones that show patience and “I know you know this” kind of support when they keep facing the sidewall because I never told them to turn towards the mirror again.
The teacher in me – the supporter, the nurturer, the always a “you can do it!” kind of person, honors and thanks the teacher in you with the different words and the different style and the different lessons, and in all things.
What about you? Have you had an experience where someone’s teaching style or a friend’s style of support was so different from yours, and yet so valuable to experience? I’d love to hear about it!
Doniree Walker is an aspiring yogini, jet-setter, foodie, and story-teller. She's a writer and geek girl by trade, and a lover and a connector by lifestyle, and is currently obsessed with: train travel, single-serving chocolate milk, and brand new notebooks. Oh, and she's also part supergirl. Wanna be friends? 
{ 46 comments… read them below or add one }
I love this. In yoga, as in everything else, we only learn by doing it ourselves- even in the most amazing, beautiful & supportive environment. I'm so glad that such wonderful people have your back & I hope that you out of classroom team is just as perfect for you!
I love this. In yoga, as in everything else, we only learn by doing it ourselves- even in the most amazing, beautiful & supportive environment. I'm so glad that such wonderful people have your back & I hope that you out of classroom team is just as perfect for you!
My best friend Becca has an incredible ability to put her emotions and thoughts into words, concisely and accurately. She's never afraid to share her emotions, knowing that getting things off her chest is important to HER, and she doesn't struggle with worrying about how other people will feel about that. I'm the opposite — I hate to confront anything, so having her around to give me advice and talk things through with me is definitely enlightening!
My old biology teacher in HS scared the shit out of everyone. We feared him so we knew our stuff. But in the end, he was the best HS teacher I had. Best part, we were colleagues when I became a teacher and are friends today.
As for me, when I taught, I refused to butter my kids up to the real world or soften my lesson plans to adjust to their “social” needs. I was a hard ass and at times, I was a dick. But at the end of the day, the kids learned more in my class in one semester and was more motivated than any of their year long classes. They were lazy, but if you can motivate them, they will rise to the occasion and surprise you.
If we're true students of the world, then each of us learns from others. Each and every day. I learn daily from those around me. Whether it's learning from Sweets how to love a little harder. Or learning from that random stranger how to be a better driver. Pay attention and we can take in so much. As always, a very well worded post!
I love this post, I'm the type of teacher that will do exactly as you say and let you realize the mistake and correct me. but like the others in your class I only do it so you'll realize, remember, and learn.
This environment sounds awesome!
Namaste!
Pajambo!
I love this post! I do think there are teachers in all of us, whether or not we are conscious of it or whether or not we consider ourselves to be teachers. I work with kids and I think about it often how they have a unique ability to teach me things without trying, the most important of which is we'd all be a lot happier if we wouldn't take ourselves so seriously.
In high school, I was terrified to go to English class even though it was my best best subject by a mile. I got continual A+s but would never dare speak up in class. The teacher was the direct opposite of how I thought I wanted to learn – I wanted to sit quietly and read books and write papers, and he would yell at people, put them on the spot, drag people in their desks out of the classroom, and put funny hats on people when they were reciting Shakespeare. There was an awful lot of discomfort in stepping out of my comfort zone, and that's something that's translated to my adult life – all my life I've wanted to BE a teacher, but been too afraid to do it, and only since I started pushing those boundaries and adopting other learning styles (such as actually teaching and facilitating classes) have I been able to actually make any progress. Great post
My best friend Becca has an incredible ability to put her emotions and thoughts into words, concisely and accurately. She's never afraid to share her emotions, knowing that getting things off her chest is important to HER, and she doesn't struggle with worrying about how other people will feel about that. I'm the opposite — I hate to confront anything, so having her around to give me advice and talk things through with me is definitely enlightening!
My old biology teacher in HS scared the shit out of everyone. We feared him so we knew our stuff. But in the end, he was the best HS teacher I had. Best part, we were colleagues when I became a teacher and are friends today.
As for me, when I taught, I refused to butter my kids up to the real world or soften my lesson plans to adjust to their “social” needs. I was a hard ass and at times, I was a dick. But at the end of the day, the kids learned more in my class in one semester and was more motivated than any of their year long classes. They were lazy, but if you can motivate them, they will rise to the occasion and surprise you.
If we're true students of the world, then each of us learns from others. Each and every day. I learn daily from those around me. Whether it's learning from Sweets how to love a little harder. Or learning from that random stranger how to be a better driver. Pay attention and we can take in so much. As always, a very well worded post!
this is another great post! I had a 6th grade algebra teacher who seemed to hate teaching yet there she was doing it. She NEVER got up from her chair during her lesson and if she did, god help us, because we all had to bear the brunt of her annoyance in having to move and go to the chalkboard.
Since she was so unwilling to put forth any extra effort, it made me realize that I had to rely on myself and go to that part of myself where I needed to be my own teacher (in a subject that I do not like one bit). It's a scary place for me to find the needed strength when I'm scared or unsure about something or subject but when I do, it's SO REWARDING.
Namaste!
In high school, I was terrified to go to English class even though it was my best best subject by a mile. I got continual A+s but would never dare speak up in class. The teacher was the direct opposite of how I thought I wanted to learn – I wanted to sit quietly and read books and write papers, and he would yell at people, put them on the spot, drag people in their desks out of the classroom, and put funny hats on people when they were reciting Shakespeare. There was an awful lot of discomfort in stepping out of my comfort zone, and that's something that's translated to my adult life – all my life I've wanted to BE a teacher, but been too afraid to do it, and only since I started pushing those boundaries and adopting other learning styles (such as actually teaching and facilitating classes) have I been able to actually make any progress. Great post
As a teacher, I used to really struggle with my students who would challenge me with questions or behavior. I've learned to be thankful for them, because I learn so much about how to improve from them…
That's actually really beautiful. I love that, and will certainly keep that
in mind as my teaching role increases. Thank you
Oh, I love the balance that is yin and yang between best friends. My Steph and I are just that, and I have learned SO, so much from her and her style of love and friendship.
Hey look! Your link works now!
I can certainly appreciate learning to teach yourself something. Isn't it the most rewarding thing? I'm so glad you've been able to recognize when you needed to do this and then have done it. Awesome.
Pajambo!
I love this, and I love your prompt at the end.
When I was a junior in college, I took a class called History and Criticism of Public Address, taught by the head of the department and one of the most feared profs on campus. He taught by Socratic method and on the first day, I was terrified. However, I quickly learned that it was one of the best classes I have taken and will ever take. My fear of being called on out of NOWHERE forced me to keep up with my studies. Being forced to keep up also forces you to find something of interest in it. (Luckily, me and rhetoric get along quite nicely.)
I'm a strong believer in the best teachers being the ones who truly challenge you, who take you out of your comfort zone and show you new ways to view the world around you.
Ok, so I know nothing about yoga so what does namaste even mean???
this is another great post! I had a 6th grade algebra teacher who seemed to hate teaching yet there she was doing it. She NEVER got up from her chair during her lesson and if she did, god help us, because we all had to bear the brunt of her annoyance in having to move and go to the chalkboard.
Since she was so unwilling to put forth any extra effort, it made me realize that I had to rely on myself and go to that part of myself where I needed to be my own teacher (in a subject that I do not like one bit). It's a scary place for me to find the needed strength when I'm scared or unsure about something or subject but when I do, it's SO REWARDING.
As a teacher, I used to really struggle with my students who would challenge me with questions or behavior. I've learned to be thankful for them, because I learn so much about how to improve from them…
That's actually really beautiful. I love that, and will certainly keep that
in mind as my teaching role increases. Thank you
Oh, I love the balance that is yin and yang between best friends. My Steph and I are just that, and I have learned SO, so much from her and her style of love and friendship.
Hey look! Your link works now!
I can certainly appreciate learning to teach yourself something. Isn't it the most rewarding thing? I'm so glad you've been able to recognize when you needed to do this and then have done it. Awesome.
There is a 'teacher' in each and every one. Some realize it and 'go forth' and do……….some don't, and miss opportunities to reach out. I'm so proud that you have recognized and reacted to the 'teaching' gene. Afterall, you come from a long line of teachers!
Keep on keeping on!
I have a coworker that drives me nuts most days because we're so opposite. I like things done on my own time, she wants them done right now. I like writing a certain way, she thinks I should use different words. While we don't always see eye to eye, I have learned a few things from her. That I have alot of patience, and that often times when she changes a word or sentence I wrote, it actually does sound better than it did before.
Ok, so I know nothing about yoga so what does namaste even mean???
There is a 'teacher' in each and every one. Some realize it and 'go forth' and do……….some don't, and miss opportunities to reach out. I'm so proud that you have recognized and reacted to the 'teaching' gene. Afterall, you come from a long line of teachers!
Keep on keeping on!
Cannot wait for the opportunity for you to guide me in my own practice one day!
DUDE. New Year's Eve Yoga.
And champagne.
SETTLED. YES!
Essentially, “I bow to you.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste
One of my co-workers synthesizes information in a completely different way than I do and I love to learn from her. Anytime she starts a sentence with “So what you're saying is…” I perk up and tune in, even if she's not speaking to me. She's an educator and I'm more of a project manager but we love to bounce ideas off of one another to get a fresh approach. As Nilsa said, it's not only the formal teacher/student relationships that can provide (ugh! ohmygod I can't believe I'm going to say this!!!) teachable moments.
Silent is the teacher in all of us but with all the noises in our minds we cannot hear its whisper. It teaches us something about life and the way things work, however we are too busy reacting to life. Wisdom comes to those who take the time to reflect upon ones self.
Cannot wait for the opportunity for you to guide me in my own practice one day!
DUDE. New Year's Eve Yoga.
And champagne.
SETTLED. YES!
Essentially, “I bow to you.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Namaste
One of my co-workers synthesizes information in a completely different way than I do and I love to learn from her. Anytime she starts a sentence with “So what you're saying is…” I perk up and tune in, even if she's not speaking to me. She's an educator and I'm more of a project manager but we love to bounce ideas off of one another to get a fresh approach. As Nilsa said, it's not only the formal teacher/student relationships that can provide (ugh! ohmygod I can't believe I'm going to say this!!!) teachable moments.
Silent is the teacher in all of us but with all the noises in our minds we cannot hear its whisper. It teaches us something about life and the way things work, however we are too busy reacting to life. Wisdom comes to those who take the time to reflect upon ones self.
This post makes me want to come take a yoga class from you. I know nothing so you'll have to be kind, though =) I love how this training is working wonders for you in so many ways. So proud of and happy for you!
This post makes me want to come take a yoga class from you. I know nothing so you'll have to be kind, though =) I love how this training is working wonders for you in so many ways. So proud of and happy for you!
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