Overcoming Obstacles by becoming an Ananda Yoga teacher
As director of the Ananda Yoga Teacher Training Program at The Expanding Light Retreat, I’m fortunate to meet yoga practitioners of all ages and backgrounds, who have dedicated themselves to a regular practice of yoga and who want to deepen their understanding of yoga as a tool for spiritual growth.
During the teacher training, which is located at Ananda Village—a spiritual community based on the teachings of the self-realized master, Paramhansa Yogananda—the yoga students grow and evolve into confident yoga instructors. It’s truly a transformative experience for each individual, but that transformation doesn’t come automatically; it takes effort on the student’s part.
As you can imagine, it’s different learning to teach something than it is to simply practice it. During their 4-week training, the students are taking in tons of new information on the subject of yoga, and at the same time, they are given many opportunities to develop their teaching skills.
I am reminded of one such instance, which happened a few years back. A young woman in her twenties arrived at The Expanding Light Retreat for the opening session of the Ananda Yoga Teacher Training course. I could see from her demeanor and medical questionnaire that she was struggling with anxiety, depression, and a lack of self-worth. As we sat in a large circle (the staff instructors and teacher trainees), this young woman (we’ll call her Katie) sat slumped in her chair looking down at the floor with her shoulders caved in.
When it was Katie’s turn to introduce herself, it was obvious that speaking in front of a group was extremely challenging for her. She did not make eye contact with anyone, and as she spoke to the floor it was difficult to make out was she was saying. She didn’t say much.
A week later, the students were given the assignment to prepare a 5-minute talk on “why I practice yoga.” They were to get up in front of their classmates to give their presentations. When it was Katie’s turn, she looked at me in horror and told me that she couldn’t do it.
I knew that Katie had to get through this, so I gave her some encouraging words by telling her that I knew she could do this, and that we were all on her side. Moreover, we all wanted to hear what she had to say. The other students agreed and cheered her on.
Katie was still unwilling to get up in front of the group, so I decided that we should pray for her. We all chanted Aum three times while surrounding her with positive energy. (The sound of Aum is a powerful mantra we often use at Ananda Village to affirm and feel the vibration of spirit manifested in creation and in ourselves.)
After this she was able to get up in front of everyone and share a few sentences while sitting down staring at the floor. I believe this was a big step for her! Then she began to lose her train of thought, which made her self-conscious. She couldn’t go any further and asked to leave while running off in tears. We prayed for her again. After class, we spoke, and it was obvious she had made progress that night, and that she would need to continue trekking forward if she were to complete the training. I gave her my full support.
After many opportunities to teach throughout the program, Katie slowly began to transform into a different person—one that was happy, willing to share her feelings, and much more relaxed.
In the last week of the training, I was fortunate to review Katie’s final team teaching class where she not only led 30 minutes of yoga postures with confidence, but she even smiled, made eye contact, and held a continuous connection with her students. She went above and beyond what was expected of her by giving hands-on adjustments to her students while leading the class! (Even experienced yoga teachers find this difficult to juggle!)
And so, outwardly this program produced a certified yoga instructor, but the inner victories that were won along the way held much greater meaning for this individual.
In the beginning, Katie was so overcome by her own insecurities, but through the loving support of her friends, teachers, and a spiritual community, she was able to discover her own loving and supportive nature. Through putting out effort and applying herself daily, this woman’s weaknesses turned into opportunities for growth, change, and a unique expression of the divine. When you bring forth that soul nature into your yoga class, (or anything you do) it will have a profound effect on others. You can help people so much more when you can get out of your insecurities and into a divine flow. For many, this is a life-changing realization. This is why we often tell people before the training: you may leave this program a different person.
May we all be inspired to break through those boundaries that hold us back from expressing our own divine potential.
Blessings,
Melody
Learn more about the Ananda Yoga Teacher Training
15 Comments
The Ananda program is such a gift. When I first entered the program, almost 10 years ago, I had no desire to become a yoga instructor. Imagine my shock when I realized that in fact I had become one. Becoming involved with these courses has enriched not only my life, but that of my students. I’m grateful everyday for the teachings & the teachers at The Expanding Light. Jai Guru
Thank you so much Eleanor!
We’re so glad the teachings and practices have changed your life for the better.
Thank you for sharing the light of yoga with your students and the world.
Love,
Melody
Beautiful blog. Specially the lines “When you bring forth that soul nature into your yoga class, (or anything you do) it will have a profound effect on others. You can help people so much more when you can get out of your insecurities and into a divine flow.”
Thank you Hitaishi!
Many blessings,
Melody
So many souls are blessed that God has blessed you to use your divine gifts Melody! You are an amazing yoga teacher! You are fortunate to have listened at an early age to follow Divine Mothers path. Thank you for sharing truth and light and “Being the Change” in a dark world. AUM Peace and Harmony
Thank you Grace!
Beautiful blog, I myself have insecurities similar to “Katie”, but I am all the way in Nigeria and we don’t have yoga classes here. Any advice?
Dear Nigeria,
I’m glad you enjoyed the blog.
Are you looking for ways to practice yoga or teach it?
You might like to check out the “Ananda School of Yoga and Meditation” channel on YouTube to follow some of our guided routines and get inspiration.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIEL5UeJROBe16NSwan9JyA
If you’re already a yoga teacher, you could try sharing with your friends and family members.
Did that answer your question?
Blessings,
Melody
Ananda Yoga helped me to discover how beautiful Yoga is. I enjoyed learning about asanas, to develop the strength to hold the asana for long, to study the modifications of the aasanas as they suit different people, to understand precautions and suggestions for the patients.
I also learned about pranayama, the importance of yamas and niyamas in daily life.
Also, I learned about the discipline of Yoga- starting with energization exercise, superconscious living exercise, stretching, asanas, pranayama, prayer and meditation.
The lesson is to follow the teachings as they are taught to us, to do it joyfully, I am thankful to Master, Swamiji, Yoga teachers and to our acharyas who gave me the opportunity and blessings to join the course and to really come out as changed Katie
I had lot of insecurities- I was too shy, very disrespectful to all and good only to some disciples and I was not there when they needed me, always blaming others for my weaknesses.
I always used to think that somebody would work out this karma for free; that I should be lazy always.
I was too much in ego to lose it. I was very greedy and lusty. I always thought only I was right , only to discover how true other people are.
I was not punctual, not humble, and very commanding.
I used to hold so much inside me. I was unfaithful and non-trustworthy. I was working only for a certificate and was not happy with the present.
I was servile instead of being serviceful.
Still there are some weaknesses.
Dear Shefalia,
Swami Sri Yukteswar (Yogananda’s Guru) said, “Forget the past. The lives of men are dark with many shames. Human conduct is ever unreliable until anchored in the divine. Everything in future will improve if you are making a spiritual effort now.”
Cling to your soul qualities and know that you are made in the image of God. Don’t hold onto the past. Instead, free yourself from it by remembering that God is the doer in all things.
Love,
Melody
I had lot of insecurities- I was too shy, very disrespectful to all and good only to some disciples and I was not there when they needed me, always blaming others for my weaknesses.
I always used to think that somebody would work out this karma for free; that I should be lazy always.
I was too much in ego to lose it. I was very greedy and lusty. I always thought only I was right , only to discover how true other people are.
I was not punctual, not humble, and very commanding.
I used to hold so much inside me. I was unfaithful and non-trustworthy. I was working only for a certificate and was not happy with the present.
I was servile instead of being serviceful.
Still there are some weaknesses.
I am thankful that you guided me.
Dear Katie,
We all have insecurities and obstacles to overcome.
By tuning into a higher power, we can overcome the many ego traits that hold us back.
Also, it’s much more beneficial to focus on our positive qualities and strengths, and to give them energy.
When we invite light in, there is no more room for darkness.
Blessings,
Melody
Thanks Melody Hansen, excellent post. I graduated from ananda yoga many many years back and had difficulty expressing with soft voice as I had many years training from Martial Arts school.Ananda teachers demonstrated and expected from me to connect internal and with gentle voice explain to the students.It took me long time and now I am blessed by all of you. Thanks
Thank you Veena!
We are so blessed to have Ananda and The Expanding Light Retreat as a spiritual community to visit and to set an example for others to gather together in common aspirations.
God bless!
Melody