There's a Buddhist proverb that states, "When the student is ready, the teacher will appear". I've had many teachers and mentors in my time as a yoga student and instructor, but the teacher who impacted my life the most came into my life when I needed him most. Our relationship just kind of happened.
First, we started as colleagues. He ran one of the studios I taught at and I, on a whim, applied to be his assistant at the studio. I was transitioning from a very unhealthy lifestyle as a bartender to a clear-headed studio manager and yoga instructor. This was a time of transformation and there should be no surprise that I needed a mentor.
Although he may have not realized it, he was (and still is) an incredibly inspirational person in my life. He was a vegetarian, rarely drank alcohol, and had a relationship with his wife that all people should envy. Being around him made me want to take better care of myself and better care of those around me. Magically I started eating better, I didn't stay out as late, I became more committed to my yoga practice, and started to create better and more meaningful relationships with the people around me. Not only was he a great human being, but he was a tremendous yoga instructor. His classes were just marvelous. I hate to put people on a pedestal, but he was able to create a 60 minute class that felt like it went by in the blink of an eye. Dance was my first true love, and every time I stepped onto my mat in his class I felt like I was dancing. He also pushed me to try postures I never thought possible in my body. People often ask me how I learned a certain posture and I always have to give the credit to my mentor.
As time passed I realized that a position in management just wasn't the best fit for me. Almost three years ago now, I decided to step away from my position and focus more on teaching and my yoga studies. Although a part of our working relationship was severed, my mentor was extremely supportive of my decision and continued to challenge me both on and off my mat.
Two months ago my mentor decided to take a promotion in Colorado. Although proud of my mentor and his success with our company, I was devastated. First, it started as a rumor that he might be taking a position elsewhere. Then it became an email to the studio's instructors that he decided to take the promotion. And then he was gone. I was saddened because my teacher who inspires me and challenges me on so many levels was now going to be thousands of miles away. Was my teaching going to suffer because I no longer had the inspiration of his teachings? Was my physical practice going to diminish because I wasn't taking his classes anymore? Of course the answer to both of those questions is "NO", but in the first few weeks of his absence, I was constantly battling with these questions.
It's been two months now since his departure and the world hasn't ended and I'm not a train wreck of an instructor or student. Although I do miss my teacher and my friend, I believe his absence has actually empowered me. He gave me so many tools as an instructor that I can now fully utilizing the information I gained from him. His absence has also pushed me to seek out more teachers and I am so thankful for that. I got into a rut of only taking his and a handful of other instructors' classes, and not that he didn't encourage me to take other instructors' classes, but now I'm seeking out new and different teachers. A lot of those instructors teach nothing like him, and that's great!
At this point in my studies I may not be ready for just one teacher, but many. Or perhaps I'm starting to discover the inspiration and challenges that I see within myself.
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