Fall in Love with Yoga again! Every student falls in love with yoga in their own way; the journey is unique for each of us. My students don’t fall in love with yoga just because I love sharing my love of movement; rather, they quickly discover that yoga loves them.

When I first began teaching I learned that simply sharing my enthusiasm and knowledge of yoga wasn’t enough for every student. So I began relying  more on my intuition and tuned in to what students were telling me–they taught me how to teach them. They show me, through movement, what their individual needs are and I respond accordingly.

This is the one constant while I’m teaching: I learn as much, or more, from my students as they do from me.

Yoga is For Every Body

I often meet students who tell me they didn’t stay with their practice. I hear comments like: “I practiced for a while, but never really got into it,” or “I left yoga because I wasn’t flexible enough,” or “Everyone was better than me.” Others mention that the instructor seemed more interested in adhering to the class plan and powering through it than meeting each student’s needs on the mat, including allowing time for individual attention, adjustments or modifications.

I tell these students, “You, too, can fall in love with yoga.”

The truth is that yoga is for ‘Every Body’ and EVERYBODY needs to feel honored and cared for by their teacher.

Falling in love with yoga is made easier by an authentic teacher, one whose care, service and inspiration derives from the teacher’s authentic self.

Students: Use your own antennae and tune in to your teachers. Are they using their own ‘voice’ while guiding you towards cultivating yours? Do you feel your teacher genuinely cares about your practice?

Many students take time out of a busy day to love and honor their souls through their yoga practice. It’s a gift they give themselves and I reciprocate to those students who honor me by attending my classes by actively guiding them as mindfully as I can so that each student is inspired to evolve in their own way.

 Fall in love with Yoga With These 5 Steps!

• Ask friends for studio or private teacher recommendations. Research local studios and teachers. Read reviews and testimonials. Visit the website: Are the class descriptions clear? Are the days and times classes are offered convenient? Does the cost fit your budget?

• Contact the studio or teacher before your first class. Describe your yoga practice to a manager or owner: Are they excited that you’re beginning or rebooting your journey? Will they be there for your growth? Are they friendly?

• If the initial contact went well, visit the practice space: How does it feel? Are the students and teachers welcoming? Do you see super athletes or people like yourself? What is the age range of the students? Are your questions answered in a patient, helpful way? If you like what you’ve seen, felt and heard, then register for a class and be sure to ask for an introductory rate.

• Arrive early to class and have a one-on-one conversation with your teacher. Communicate your physical challenges – did the teacher listen and ask for clarification? Do they offer posture modifications or manual adjustments if you struggle in a pose?

• How do you feel at the end of class? To fine-tune the process of finding the best teacher to serve you, consider registering for a different class with a different teacher.

Yoga classes are a joyful opportunity to create community while undoing the many harmful things we do to our bodies daily as we learn, teach and practice together. When you find the right teachers, classes and communities for you, you’re bound to fall in love with Yoga … automatically.

This blog was written by Janet Thrasher, the only certified Integrated Vinyasa Yoga teacher on the picturesque island of Nevis, West Indies. She is the founder and owner of Yoga Nevis. She’s driven to spread yoga throughout the planet and hopes her students fall in love like she did. Janet received her training at Colorado School of Yoga in Vail, CO. CSOY exists to train teachers to actively serve others in an authentic way.