Almost 8 years ago, I began my journey as a yoga teacher then health coach and now spiritual guidance teacher. I have memories of who I used to be when I first started teaching and I feel like a completely different person because I am.

You see when I started teaching, I was mentally and emotionally weaker, I had little boundaries and, I was afraid to speak up for myself. If someone had told me that I would be where I am today, I would be shocked that I could endure so much as a teacher because it is not for the weak or insecure. In fact, overtime your character (or lack of) is revealed. That is why many people quit teaching yoga.

About 5 years ago, I made a decision to let go of the need to fit into the group-thinking of teaching because I saw a lot of my colleagues filled with pain and hurt, that was not being addressed. I decided to look in the mirror and do the real-work, as a teacher, and let go of the need to tell others what to do if I was not doing the same.

The best way to teach is by being an example. One of which I strive for everyday. Along this process, I have been unlearningmany things as a spiritual teacher. Here are 9 of them:

1) That my triggers are someone else’s fault.

2) That all of my students will learn from me.

3) That I can enforce my opinion on others.

4) That teaching from a place of insecurity will provide me security. There is no faking sense of self.

5) That if someone complains about me, it is worth giving merit.

6) That if I tell others what to do, I am immune for the responsibility of my own life.

7) That yoga will miraculously cure all of my problems.

8) That I need to put up with inconsistency and lack of boundaries.

9) That I need to hold onto someone else’s hurt or pain to help them get through it. I am free, in body, mind and spirit. I do not need to be weighed down by burdens.