May 2022 Reflections
Dear Yoga Student -
Fred Rogers (Mr. Rogers to so many of us) has always been a favorite role model of mine.
Trailers from the upcoming movie about his life have reminded me of just how prolific some of his words were, and how he guided so many of us for decades.
Mr. Rogers was the first teacher of an entire generation. Here is one of my favorite lessons:
As human beings,
our job in life is to help people realize how rare
and valuable each one of us really is,
that each of us has something that no one else has -
or ever will have -
something inside that is unique to all time.
It's our job to encourage each other to discover that uniqueness
and to provide ways of developing its expression.
I didn't grow up wanting to be a teacher. And yet, I have found my way to teaching as my primary career.
I believe we have two jobs as we help our students grow in the practice. The first is to be authentic ourselves. The second is to teach in a way that helps our students find their own path to authenticity and uniqueness - in whatever ways they choose to use their practice.
Mr. Rogers had his own signature style - the sweater, the shoes, and of course, his offering to all of us to be his neighbor, no matter what we looked like or where we came from. With humor, heart, and kindness, he crafted a space through the TV screen that helped each of us embrace who we were.
As a teacher, I want to craft a similar space. And this is particularly true when I teach individuals how to be yoga teachers, or how to take their teaching to the next level. It can be easy to wonder if - as yoga has grown exponentially - there is not enough room for more teachers, and that teacher training programs simply churn out the same type of teacher.
If we are working towards authenticity in our teaching, then we all have something to offer. Often it can be a matter of finding the people who need the space we are creating, and using the right tools to meet people where they are.
Over the next few months, I am offering two trainings that get right to the heart of being authentic teachers and how we can more effectively help our students navigate their own personal discoveries.
From August 1 - 27, I am offering my 200 Hr Lighting the Path Teacher Training in Ubud, Bali at the Yoga Barnr Lighting the Path Teacher Training in Ubud, Bali at the Yoga Barn. Are you looking to connect with your heart, find your truth, and deepen your yoga practice? The Lighting the Path Teacher Training is a comprehensive program for yoga teachers looking to find their authentic voice on the mat and in the world. With a focus on alignment, intention, sequencing, and assisting, LTP graduates leave trainings prepared to teach dynamic and accessible heart-centered vinyasa classes for all levels of students.
If you are not interested in traveling to Indonesia, but are curious about the teaching path, or looking to deepen your relationship to your practice, my weekend-format 200-hour training program located in Berkeley at Green Yogi begins September 22nd and offers a flexible twice a month format with morning yoga intensive practices and afternoon lecture and teaching. This is a wonderful way to build your asana practice, do the powerful work
of walking the path to your authentic self, and sharing that self with your students. More info can be found HERE
Fred Rogers said that the greatest gift you can ever give is your honest self.
If I can help you give that gift to yourself or your students, I would love for you to be my neighbor at a training or in class very soon.
Warmly - Pete