Students are the teachers
I have amazing clients. I promise I’m not saying that to create client retention through flattery (wink, wink) Withstanding all superlatives, I teach private yoga sessions to some of the best humans I’ve ever met.
Having written this blog for the past two years, my clients, who are hilarious and terribly witty, often tease me, asking me to write a blog about them.
“Geez Jelayna, all you do is write your blog about yourself!”
“Oh my god you’re right. I’m a total narcissist!!”
This is verbatim a conversation I’ve had with clients. See? Pure awesomeness.
Honest, real, and refreshing relationships. I wouldn’t want it any other way.
When you choose to step into the role of teacher you watch people put you on a pedestal. If you’re not careful, you may begin to separate yourself from others. Healthy boundaries are essential, but “holier than thou” mentalities have no place in the land of teaching. It can happen in a sneak-up-on-you-insidious kind of way. It’s possible to easily put yourself on a pedestal. As soon as you start to believe your own press, you’re in trouble.
Yes, have confidence and belief in your skills and acquired knowledge. However, as soon as you start to consider yourself “amazing” “magical” “simply the best” phrases students may use to describe your classes, you’re on the road to douche baggery and a slippery slope leading to the pride that comes before an inevitable fall.
My first and longest private client constantly humbles me.
She believed in me before I believed in myself. When I asked her if I could write a bit about her and the fun we have together her immediate response was, “Are you kidding me!? You go girl!” She challenges me to learn more about yoga, the human body, interpersonal client relationships and how to stay positive even when shit hits the fan.
Bet the house we will end up laughing our butts off at some point during the session.
We slow things down to her pace. She honestly has the longest, slowest breath I’ve ever witnessed. When she moves with the true flow of her breath rhythm, it’s like watching an underwater ballet – slow, languid and elegant. She savors the movements like each is a morsel to be appreciated for its fleeting yet fulfilling nature.
It’s humbling, and a privilege to witness.
She slows me down. And that’s saying something. I use the word ‘slowly’ God knows how many times in a day when teaching. She really lives it. She embodies what I hope people will one day experience; synchronicity with true self.
And damn does she ever have gumption! The woman is in her 70s and is tricep lifting herself up the stairs after foot surgery!! She attributes it to yoga.
I attribute it to her irrepressible, vibrant resilient and bad ass spirit!
She humbles me.
She constantly shows me how there is always more to learn and discover as we grow into the upper, hopefully wisdom filled decades of our lives.
Whether she’s doing yoga teacher training in Bali, working on Elephant sanctuaries on Thailand, riding and jumping horses in Ireland, or simply sitting across the table from me as we dine and joyously laugh together, she is seeking knowledge and living life. She is strong. I won’t say she is fearless. She is stronger than that. She lives through the fear. In the face of fear she chooses life. She chooses life as often and as deeply as she can.
She humbles me. In the best way, she humbles me.
Her presence in my life keeps me grounded. Her yoga journey inspires me to learn more so I have more to offer her insatiable zest for life and yoga.
We talk about the ups and downs of life and do yoga together as she lives through them with grace and hard won patience.
Neither of us is interested in pretty yoga. We’re interested in the real and gritty stuff that gets you through the shitty days.
Students are the teachers. As soon as we forget this, we’re in danger.
If you do teach, seek the students who seek knowledge, not saving. If someone is looking to you to save them, hold up a mirror as you speak the words “you hold the answers. Save yourself”. All we can do as teachers is point a way, a direction or path. Let it be a path that we have walked before. Hope to god it’s a helpful piece of advice and remember just how broken, human and flawed you are.
Both teacher and student are broken. We mend by learning and living together.
If you’re a teacher, don’t fool or pressure yourself into thinking you should have all the answers. Don’t even present yourself as having all the answers.
As a student, if you come across a teacher like this, call “bullshit” and leave the room.
My first client shows me I have so much to learn. My first client calls me on my shit. Teacher student relationships need this two way street.
And so to my first private client, who met me 4 years ago. Who practices yoga and grows with me each day, I say thank you. You are the reason I teach. You are the inspiration behind my desire to learn more.
The student is the teacher. Don’t ever forget this.
