Teaching

When I joined the 200 hour teacher training in Purna Yoga in 2015, one of the things that hit me the most was that simple phrase you read above: “We teach people, not poses”. So simple, yet so powerful and full of meaning. Don't you feel that sometimes a yoga class is just all about the pose and never about you? What if your hamstrings have limited mobility and therefore even attempting an advanced pose like Uttita Hasta Padangusthasana (Extended Hand to Big Toe Pose) seems impossible? What if my neck gets so tight the day after attempting Sarvangasana (Shoulderstand) in the floor? What if I have high blood pressure? What if I just want to work with a specific condition? What if?
 

In the past I used to teach in the way most people are taught: you learn a pose, you practice it a lot, you teach it. That's it. Of course, the results were obvious and clear: most of us are not used to sitting on the floor crossed-legged, and most of us will have low back pain (in Finland it is estimated that 70% of the population is currently experiencing this) or something limiting us (in the beginning). My answer to this was the intention to learn a form of yoga that would be able to address all body types, ages, conditions, and stages. I found it undoubtedly in Purna Yoga.
 

Since the very beginning of Purna Yoga, I learnt how to modify each pose according to the specific student. I learnt how to use props so that my students could actually feel the benefits of the asana instead of pushing themselves beyond the limit to "fit in". I learn how to adapt myself and my teaching to the needs of my students. Suddenly, I realised:
 

It is not about me. It was never about me. It is all about my students.
 

My teaching style can be summarised in a very simple way: I am there for you. I am not interested in forcing you into a pose that you currently are not able to do (which doesn't mean that we will not pave the way so that soon enough you are able to!). I am not interested in gratifying my ego by showing you the things I can do. I am not interested in practising in front of you during class; instead, you can expect me to spend most of the class time helping my students with whichever specific needs they have. I am interested in:
 

You growing as a human being. That you learn to trust yourself and your body. That after each class you feel that yoga has served your life's purpose.
 

I enjoy teaching because in my classes I can simultaneously have a 75-year-old lady that is currently retired; a young 18-year-old boy that is just about to enter university; people of all backgrounds, ages and different lifestyles. All of us share the love of yoga and its benefits.

I encourage you that when we meet you share with me your dreams, your intentions and what you would like to improve in your life through yoga.

I aspire to be a teacher that is clear, precise, kind and always has a good sense of humour. This is my commitment.

Now that you know what to expect in my teaching, it's time to join a class!