How to Inspire New Iyengar Yoga Students EMBRACE CHANGE, REACH OUT TO DIVERSE COMMUNITIES, BECOME A LEADER AND CHAMPION OF THE IYENGAR METHOD. By Heather Haxo Phillips
W
e all know that yoga means “union.”
has to be intelligent, but also emotionally firm and psychologically
Another definition of yoga is “bringing
strong. A teacher has to study and know how to understand the
together that which is perceived to be
minds of the students as s/he goes on teaching.”
separate.” I often think about this definition
when navigating my roles as a certified Iyengar Yoga teacher,
These words of wisdom are potent guidance not just when we
a yoga studio owner, and a member of the Board of Trustees
teach, but when we make decisions about how to manage our
for the San Francisco Institute and Northern California
careers. Indeed, his words are precious golden nuggets! For
region. These are three very different roles—but are the
example, I taught yoga for ten years on my own. During that
responsibilities and obligations the same?
time, I carefully developed my teaching and my student relationships. I worked on my own assessments, volunteered
Whether I am on my practice mat, teaching in class, managing
extensively, and built relationships with others in our local
my studio, or volunteering, I often ponder the same questions
Iyengar Yoga community. For an American Iyengar Yoga teacher,
that most certified teachers ask themselves: What are the best
this is critical off-the-mat “donkey work.”
ways to inspire others to learn more about Iyengar Yoga? How should we build our student base and juggle all that demands our time—personal practice, teaching, marketing, and more? How can I keep my spiritual compass within a complex and often commercial world? I try to use Guruji’s teachings as a guide. Though I have never
Guruji has been very clear that Iyengar Yoga is a tradition to be passed down. His teachings are not ours alone to hold onto; they are not a commodity to be sold.
heard B.K.S. Iyengar use phrases such as “marketing,” “key performance indicators,” or “building your student base,” I believe that he has explained to us through his words and his
Eight months ago, I took over ownership of the studio where I
actions how we should proceed in this complicated yoga world.
had worked. I set a goal to turn this yoga studio into an Iyengar Yoga studio and to become a regional beacon for Guruji’s
First, Guruji has been very clear that Iyengar Yoga is a tradition
teachings. Students and teachers within our Iyengar Yoga
to be passed down. His teachings are not ours alone to hold
community immediately embraced the idea. Because they
onto; they are not a commodity to be sold. We must spread the
knew me and had already embraced the practice, they were
teachings as far as we can “not for the sake of name or fame.”
ready to help out where needed. They have gathered according
Our Gurujii has been very clear on exactly how to do this. “I
to their talents, helping with the renovations, financial analysis,
only request my teachers to conduct themselves ethically so
marketing, staffing, and teaching that is required to
that no one raises their fingers to say that you have
successfully launch our new professional studio. Nearly all of
compromised the fundamentals of yoga for the sake of
this has been volunteer work! Working in community this way
popularity or for wealth,” he said in the most recent issue of
has paid off—attendance has doubled, and we have created
Yoga Rahasya.
jobs for eight certified teachers in our area. Last month, our local newspaper named Adeline Yoga Studio the “Best Yoga
Guruji has explained that as teachers, our responsibility is
Studio in the East Bay.” Of all the studios they could choose
huge. He says that if we act as a teacher, we have to treat it as a
from, I am so pleased that they bestowed an Iyengar Yoga
sacred duty and exert discipline: We must stay within our own
studio with this honor.
experiential knowledge, be alert to our students, and act as healers. We must learn the art of compassion, friendliness, and
As I strive to inspire others about Iyengar Yoga, I am inspired by
gladness as well as when to be indifferent. He says, “A teacher
Guruji’s own actions. From his early days, Guruji traveled the
Fall 2013/Winter 2014 Yoga Samachar
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