I am so grateful to students. They are the real teachers. Everyday I’m reminded how blessed I am when I walk into the yoga studio and see smiling faces looking back at me. The electric energy exuding from people’s bodies and minds when they place themselves in a willing position to learn is contagious.
I am grateful to the students who are having a tough day. The ones who don’t realize their face looks like they may or may not murder me after this really long chair pose, but they do it anyway. By the end of class they have a smile on their face and a twinkle in their eye. They made themselves do it, and they’re so happy with the end result; themselves in a better place.
I am grateful to the students who ask me questions I don’t know the answers to. They challenge me to learn more and go deeper. They allow me to use the liberating phrase, “I don’t know”. These days, this phrase brings a wave of relief that floods my body with endorphins.
“Hey Jelayna, how does this obscure muscle effect this random form of movement?” to which I reply with a huge smile on my face, “You know what? I don’t know!”
And that’s okay!!
Admitting this used to scare me, but now I see it as an open invitation to seek out knowledge. It’s an opportunity to admit my humanity again, and again. Until I remember it. Until I am grateful for it.
I am grateful to the students who make me laugh. They catch me off guard with their amazing insight and keen sense of humour. They leave me in stitches as they point out the obvious in a quirky and delightful way. Like a stand up comedian, whose timing couldn’t be more perfect and whose tone couldn’t be more on point.
“Okay we’re going to do three sets of boat pose everyone” I tell the class.
I hear a quiet whisper from the student beside me,
“How about three sets of sivasana?”
And I’m dying laughing.
I am grateful to the students who try my patience. The ones who come to class and do their own thing while everyone else is following instructions. The ones who march to the beat of their own drum and force me to ask the question, “Why are they this way?” Not out of irritation, but out of curiosity. A unique spirit like that needs to be fostered and encouraged.
When you teach, it’s hard not to impose your desire to have your words obeyed, onto another person. That’s not why I’m there. I have to constantly remind myself my words and directions are an offering. If the students chooses to follow them, it is a decision which should never be taken for granted. I often tell students, “Everything I’m saying is a suggestion. You can choose not to do this if you wish.” What kind of teacher am I if I don’t believe my own words?
I am grateful to the students who bring gifts. These moments, for me, used to be the hardest. I know it sounds silly, but receiving gifts is something I’ve worked hard at. The students who decide to bless me with a token of appreciation force me to sit down and feel.
As soon as they pass a token of appreciation into my hands, this wave of peace washes over me. In the past, I would resist this wave. I would not feel worthy of it. It felt so other-worldly, so serene and intensely healing, my initial reaction was to resist it. Weird, right? Not really.
If you’re a person who doubts their worthiness, peace and love can feel like intruders. Especially if your mind is caught in a constant cycle of “You’re not good enough, and you never will be.”
And then, someone decides to see you. Someone decides to give you a symbol of gratitude, and the voice in your head that says, “You’re not good enough” is silenced, if only for a moment. It is replaced with, “You are loved.” For me, it takes work to hear and receive that voice. Over the years this voice has become louder. Thanks to students and loved ones who offer love or a kind word. Because of you, this voice is winning.
I am grateful to students because you are the teachers. You show teachers constantly how we are students just as much as you are. We are so excited to share what we know with you. We are equally excited to receive what you have learned in your own life. We are anxious to know how your body and mind interpret the yoga asanas and philosophies.
Please don’t ever forget how amazing you are. Please don’t ever forget when you walk into a classroom you bring a life experience and a body that is uniquely your own. You have so much to offer and what you offer is legitimate. What you offer is worthy of being heard and received.
So thank you to the real teachers. The people who are willing to show up and learn, share and receive. Without you, there would be no me.
