The more success you enjoy as a yoga teacher, the more students you’re able to reach. Success and yoga – these two things (on the surface) appear to be at odds. Thanks to our Western world view, success is about striving, achieving, even competing. Whereas yoga is about being, accepting, and even surrendering. By these common-held definitions, success and yoga appear to almost be opposites. But, in truth, it’s our definition of success that’s askew. Success is not about domination, it’s about authentic fulfillment, and when you’re truly successful, you enjoy abundance in all areas of your life, personally, professionally, emotionally, and spiritually. Though we often associate success with the amount of money in one’s bank account, that’s just a small part of the actual equation. Success is moreso about making a meaningful and lasting contribution to the world – and what’s more yogic than that?
If you’re still not convinced, let’s apply this concept to you, as a yoga teacher. The more success you enjoy as a yoga teacher, the more students you’re able to reach, and therefore, the more you spread and share the benefits of yoga. Continuing on, the more students you teach, the more money you see coming in, and the better you can provide for your family. I think we can all agree that there’s nothing less conducive to yoga than stressing out about paying your bills, and feeling overwhelmed and tired from teaching too many classes for too little money.
True success – the kind you should strive for as a yoga teacher – is about finding that sweet balance between what serves your students and what serves you. And, if you’re thinking that putting yourself into the equation is selfish, think again. The only way to serve others is to take care of yourself – otherwise you get burnt out, and that’s not helping anyone!
Yogis are some of the most passionate people you’ll ever come across. Yoga teachers believe in the benefits of yoga, because they have experienced them for themselves, and they seek to share the goodness of yoga with anyone who will listen. If you’re passionate, dedicated, and committed to your teaching, success in its purest form will undoubtedly find you – and, if doing what you love brings you success, you’re simply enjoying the lovely, tried-and-true benefits of good karma! In helping others, you ultimately help yourself.
When you strive for success in your yoga career, you’re not selling out, you’re looking to fulfill your full potential, and embody your dharma. And, when you do that, you’re a living example of your yoga each and every day!
This post was originally written for Yoganomics.
