There are many styles of yoga and even more styles of teaching. There are some questions a student can ask to gauge what kind of teacher the instructor will be. These are excellent questions that require thought and meditation. As I journey through Yoga Teacher Training, I know that I want to be a good teacher, yet there are so many kinds of good teachers. Every teacher is different and can offer something unique to their students. The opinion of what makes a teacher ‘good’ varies from person to person. The questions below are what a teacher needs to ask theirself to maintain their focus. The primary focus of a teacher needs to be their students. Not every teacher will be a fit for every student. These questions are equally important to the teacher as the answers are to their students.

I will personally answer these questions to see what kind of teacher I currently am. A good teacher is always changing and adapting to what their students need from them. At this point on my Yoga Teacher Training journey, I am trying to develop a teaching philosophy that will serve my students to the fullest.

You might find the following questions helpful in “interviewing” your yoga instructor.

What do I want to offer my students?

I want to provide students a safe environment where they not only practice yoga but also learn more about what yoga can offer them. There is much more to yoga than the asana practice, and I do not feel that many people are aware of this. Yoga is about becoming a better version of yourself. I want to offer my students an environment where they can take the time to disconnect from the world and be themselves with no expectations or judgments. On an intellectual level, I want to impart everything I know. On a physical level, I want students to come into the awareness of what their bodies are truly capable of. I want to offer to my students the ability to tip toe to their limits and then keep going. Breaking boundaries, be it on a physical, emotional, spiritual, or mental level is something I want to offer. I want to share my experiences and learnings in the hope that their lives are enriched from what I have experienced and learned.

What should my students receive from my teaching?

Any student of mine should feel cared for. I want to have a positive emotional impact to everyone I teach. I want any student of mine to receive as much positive energy as possible to counteract all of the negativity that exists in the world. No matter their circumstances, I want every student to feel and know they matter. I want my students leaving my class feelings  good about themselves and hopefully feeling full and complete. I also hope that students will leave knowing a little bit more about not just yoga but also their bodies. Students should leave class feeling loved, centered, grounded, and prepared to take on whatever it is that is going on in their lives.

What do I want to receive from teaching?

I want to feel confident in my knowledge and skills. I want to see the positive impact my teaching will have on my students. I want to learn from my mistakes and become the best I can. I want to continue to learn and receive from my teachers so that I can provide these teachings to my students. I want to honor all those from whom I have learned in my education. I want to feel satisfaction when I see a student fully release on their mat. I want to see my training and efforts personified in my students.

What will make me unique and set me apart from other yoga teachers?

I want to work with people that ordinarily would not practice yoga. I do not want to claim one segment of society for myself. Instead, I want to teach for the masses. I want to bring yoga to anyone that is interested. I want to feel humbled when I face a class of people. I am responsible for these people during my class, and I have to ensure that their experience is the best it can be. I exist to serve my students as a mentor, teacher, and friend.

Am I authentic and genuine to myself?

Beyond the questions answered above, I also want to be successful, and I want to a respected teacher. To do this, I have to recognize that I am and always will be a student. I will not become an expert through a 200-hour program. I will have to be continuously and consistently learning to continue on my yoga journey. I have to recognize that I will not be the best and greatest yoga teacher without a significant investment of time and energy. Yoga is not just something to do; it is a lifestyle and a commitment to being the best version of myself. I have to be completely honest with myself and be critical of my actions. I have to be mindful and aware of what I am doing and the purpose behind my actions. Being true to myself is essential. If I am not honest and true to myself, how can I ask my students to do the same? There cannot be any hypocrisy in my teachings, otherwise I cheapen and reduce the impact of what I want to accomplish.

As a group, my fellow trainees and I made a list of what students need in a yoga teacher. This list comes from our own experiences as yoga students. This list embodies what we each are striving to be. I believe that so long as we keep this list in mind, we are on the road to becoming ‘good’ yoga teachers. Additionally, answering the above five questions should lead a teacher to thinking about what students want in a yoga teacher and how they can best serve students.

Overall, I want to be a yoga teacher that inspires others to become the best version of themselves. I want to make sure I never lose my focus on what is most important: the students. My students, even though I have yet to meet them, are the reason I want to teach. No matter their circumstances, I want to bring yoga into their lives. The light of yoga deserves to be shared with everyone, and I feel blessed to be on the road towards doing that.