These are principles we focus on at The Expanding Light Retreat and in our Ananda School of Yoga & Meditation for teaching yoga and training teachers.
- Practice what you teach. Always teach from your own experience and realized knowledge. Constantly draw from this well of inspired, ever-n
ew experience through your own daily, dedicated practice.
- Always be a student. Study and practice with beginner’s mind. Never be satisfied that you have it all figured out. Be willing to be wrong, keep your heart and mind open to all, and be humble.
- Pray for yourself and your students. Pray to be a channel for the light of yoga to flow through you, and for God to bless your students with receptivity and grace in their practice.
- Meditate daily. Meditation is the foundation of all yoga practice. Even a brief daily practice will enhance every aspect of your own yoga practice and ability as a teacher.
- Bring jo
y into everything. Be happy. Help your students be happy. God is satchidananda: existence, consciousness, JOY. Happiness and joy are the essence of all yoga.
- Meet people where they are. Try to never judge or hold people to expectations. Help your students grow with patience and respect. Never force your perspective (even when you know you’re right!) on those unable to accept it.
- Explore your highest potential. Never limit yourself. Constantly and creatively expand your horizons in teaching and life. Pursue your dreams, overcoming all obstacles to achieve success.
- Focus on sharing. Instead of teaching, feel that you are simply sharing yoga with frie
nds.
- Live your yoga. Don’t limit your practice or sharing of yoga to any corner of life. Practice raja yoga: in all thoughts, actions, and words strive always to grow, improve and be a channel.
- Above all, practice kindness and love: for your fellow yogis, for nature and all mankind, and for God, the Spirit and origin of all yoga teachings, and the giver of all blessings, grace, and power.
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