Yoga Teacher’s mission
This Full Moon illuminates a lot of questions I thought were long in the past and resolved at least in this lifetime. Yet my mind proves otherwise as it followed a “Mission Statement” from one of my students.
Alice has completed her Yoga Teacher Training course this week. The end result took a very different shape to what she initially had hoped for. Instead of her 'start of the course' intention that yoga is her "ticket to Life", it become "I don't want to make money from it." She realised that she wants to "just enjoy {her} self-practice" and will not "become a guru in the near future".
It was a grand transformation and growth over the last 12 months and I feel very privileged to have witnessed it. However, it did make me think of how interesting her not wanting “to be a Guru in the near future” made me feel. One of the main reasons I decided to run YTTC (yoga teacher training course) was the desire to have a lengthy journey that will allow for a student to have time and space to integrate this ancient knowledge and turn it into a wonderful tool of exploration for one's mission in life.
Yes, 12 months is a long time and many things happen in life during one year. Yet, reading Alice's end of the course essay, I was reassured that my intention manifested exactly as I planned it. It was not about her stepping into the role of Yoga Teacher to match a stereotypical figure most of us have in mind, but to truly explore how she can serve the humanity.
Bali, March 2023
Alice assisting during Love Life Retreat.
Read Alice's End of the course essay
"My mission as a teacher.
Becoming a teacher is a very personal journey, there’s no two same ways of teaching.. The magic of teaching comes from individuality and the uniqueness of one’s perspective. One of my missions is to help people to see life through the lenses of yoga, and therefore help them to become closer to themselves. To share love, through my own experience, share knowledge.
The student-teacher dynamic is always one that comes from sharing, openness and compassion, I see myself teaching just as much as learning from the students, and this can show up in various ways, like learning how to communicate each other’s needs, or sharing all the different ways in which yoga manifests in my life, like art, I love sharing my knowledge on art therapy, since it’s one of my elements to communicate and helps me reach a state of meditation, and therefore my students too.
Through this process of art, the student has the opportunity of letting go of the layers of their ego and become one with their inner child, so that the creative inside them awakens and they access a bigger potential inside of them.
As a yoga teacher, I have the privilege of guiding individuals on a journey of self-discovery and inner exploration. Yoga is a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation. As a teacher, I get to witness the growth and progress of my students, both physically and emotionally. It's incredible to see them become more flexible, stronger, and balanced, but even more importantly, to observe their increased sense of peace, joy and well-being.
When it comes to the asana of yoga, I intend to share this practice because of my effortless connection to a higher self, and through the creation of flow I get to experience brahman (Brahman already exists, in all, the physical body can consciously understand this through the senses , and one way is by practicing the asana), which I believe exists in all of us, and those of us who find the path of yoga, can access it inside of them…
Yoga is not just about the physical practice; it's also deeply rooted in ancient wisdom and philosophy. As a teacher, I have the opportunity to share these profound teachings with my students. I can introduce them to concepts like mindfulness and compassion which can have a profound impact on their lives beyond the yoga mat.
Another beautiful aspect of teaching yoga is that it allows me to create a safe and nurturing space for individuals to let go of their stresses and worries. In today's fast-paced world, people often need a safe space where they can find inner calm and relaxation. Being a yoga teacher means I can facilitate that sacred space and guide people towards finding a sense of peace amidst the chaos of life.
Moreover, teaching yoga allows me to be an agent for positive change. Through my classes, I can inspire individuals to take care of their bodies, minds, and the world around them. I encourage my students to embrace a lifestyle that promotes well-being, balance and harmony.
By doing so, I believe we can contribute to creating a healthier and more compassionate society. So for me, teaching yoga is a continuous journey of personal growth and learning. As I guide others, I also deepen my own understanding of the practice.
I constantly explore new styles, study ancient texts, (it’s hard sometimes, but i still enjoy it) and engage in further training to refine my teaching skills and expand my knowledge. This commitment to ongoing learning keeps me inspired and allows me to offer my students the best possible experience."
Alice is now exploring her path of being a Life Guide using yoga and art therapy as her tools. My thoughts?! She will shine her life brighter than she could have ever imagined no matter what she does!
We are entering the Age of Aquarius and this transition has been happening for over a decade now. Over the last few years, a lot of us felt uncomfortable in the situations where we can't be fully authentic. Whether it is personal relationships, work place, place of residence or a state of being. From my personal experience and experiences of my students and clients worldwide, I can say that it was a feeling of "suffocation"and physical discomfort that was pushing us to make a dramatic change so we can breathe, expand and fully step into our mission. Some of us have made the choices consciously, while others had to be ‘pushed by the Universe’ out of the situations that no longer serve them.
This year has been a challenging year for my family on many levels. I can say that reconstruction and transformation has been happening and has stirred a lot of emotions and created a lot of discomfort. And in the moment of complete despair, the only thing that kept me going was that very strong inner knowing that all is part of the experience I have once chosen for myself.
As I am writing these words, I feel great support knowing that all these worries and daily obstacles are there for growth so I can support those who call me "Guru", which is a big term to live up to... Yet, I believe we are all Guru whether we embrace it or not. We all have an opportunity to influence the lives of others, including our own.
Conclusion? You don't have to be a Yoga Teacher to be a Guru. Just remember that your thoughts, words, actions and reactions shape your life. What you do for a living doesn't define who you are and vice versa. Be YOU in every situation. Be truthful. Be brave and courageous when stepping into your Truth and remember, the only way is through!
Faithfully yours,
Victoria Zimmer...The Guru.
