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Dispelling the myths about yoga teachers
Anna Oldfield on 31 March, 2011 |

Yoga teachers are subject to many stereotypes, and everyone has been guilty of holding these preconceptions at some point. Because yoga is a lifestyle choice rather than a 9-5 occupation, teachers are more prone to generalisations which can make them feel inauthentic due to unrealistic expectations. As a role-model for students, there is a social pressure to constantly act in a 'yogic' way, even if this is in conflict with their true self.

Myth 1: Yoga teachers are young, lean, toned...and female.
Yoga teachers come in all shapes, sizes and ages. Those teaching dynamic styles will develop muscle tone as a by-product of their lifestyle but the best teachers are those who guide students into experiencing the practice from within their own body rather than striving for an external and aesthetic 'perfection'. As for the misconception that yoga is only for women, in India it is traditionally a male-orientated practice and many of the most famous yogis are men.

Myth 2: Yoga teachers are vegetarian.
Whether they are aware of the yamas and niyamas (lifestyle suggestions in the yoga sutras), or not, many presume yoga teachers must be vegetarian if not vegan. Although the concept of ahimsa - non-harming - is frequently interpreted as not eating animal products, this is by no means prerequisite. Of course there are yogis who follow vegan raw-food diets, but ahimsa is also about kindness to yourself, and bramacharya advocates moderation. It isn't a competition of who has the most 'yogic' diet - what you eat won’t make you a better or worse teacher.

Myth 3: Yoga teachers do not smoke, or drink alcohol or coffee.
Whilst an ideal 'yogic' lifestyle might dispel these substances, it is important to remember that yoga was founded thousands of years ago in India, a million miles away from the hectic modern lifestyle. To blend two myths, one male teacher recalls:

"Apparently a guy with a pint and a cigarette in his hand can't be a yoga teacher! I had to do a headstand in a crowded pub after quite a few drinks before they believed me..."

Furthermore, Krishnamacharya, Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois and Swami Sivananda all enjoyed their caffeine fix. As with anything, it's all about moderation and self-kindness.

Myth 4: Yoga teachers are ‘hippies’ who wear ethnic clothing and burn incense.
With the rise of urban yoga studios, classes in gyms and in the workplace this particular stereotype is rapidly becoming out-dated, however it still lives on. People who are sceptical about yoga regularly presume that it is airy-fairy nonsense entirely irrelevant to modern city life. In fact, yoga teachers come from all sorts of backgrounds and many are just as, if not more, familiar with suits and the office environment as they are with yoga-wear and ashrams (traditional yoga schools). If it's incense you want there are certainly a lot of classes which use it out there, but equally a lot of teachers will come equipped with a playlist on their I-pod and sport fashionable gear from the likes of Sweaty Betty and Lulu lemon.

Myth 5: Yoga teachers are non-materialistic.
Yoga teachers are just as much the target of the branded yoga products available at every yoga studio and online as those who attend their classes. In certain settings they may feel under pressure to ‘dress the part’ and keep up a regular rotation of the latest yoga fashions. However, both student and teacher should acknowledge that it’s what the teacher guides the students to discover within themselves that matters, not their apparel. Alongside the pressure/temptation to buy in to yoga consumerism is everyday attachment to certain items. Although the yamas and niyamas advise non-possessiveness (aparigraha), and contentment (santosha) most yoga teachers have a secret material obsession, be it Mulberry handbags, tea-sets or the latest smart-phone.

Myth 6: Yoga teachers are spiritual.
Although all teachers will have learnt about the philosophical background of yoga, they will all have a different take on the matter. Whilst some will embrace it’s more mystic side others are firm believers in conventional science. Any good teacher will encourage their students to explore yoga with an open mind and develop their own opinions. For every student there is an ideal teacher, just as every teacher will build up a group of regular students who love their classes – it’s just a matter of one finding the other, which usually takes a few attempts.

Myth 7: Yoga teachers are medical experts.
This may sound strange, but students frequently bring up medical issues and expect advice beyond how to adjust their practice. Whilst it is important that students raise issues which may affect their practice, it is not uncommon for teachers to have to explain that the best person to consult would be a doctor, physiotherapist or yoga therapist.

It is important to remember that we are all human, yoga teachers included. Many teachers work part-time and suffer the same office stresses as their students. Both yoga teachers and deeply engaged practitioners will try their best to live their interpretation of a ‘yogic’ lifestyle. However, they are not yogis living in the Himalayas, but average Westerners who recognise the immense benefits of yoga when integrated into a modern lifestyle and wish to share these with others. Any teacher will attest to the small sigh of relief when another teacher admits to something they themselves felt they had to conceal. Once it is out that everyone occasionally drinks coffee, eats Sunday roasts or indulges in a glass of wine we can all get back to what we do best: teaching yoga!

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