What Makes a Real Yoga Teacher? (Spoiler: Not What You Think)
Originally written as an April Fools' post, but let’s be honest - this is worth saying out loud, all year round.
Every now and then, I catch myself in the trap.
You know the one.
Scrolling through social media, I’ll see yoga teachers with perfectly toned bodies, tropical retreats, 10-step morning routines that start at 4 am, and a wardrobe of sustainable linen sets that somehow never wrinkle. And a small voice creeps in, whispering:
“Am I really a yoga teacher?”
So, on April Fools' Day, I decided to play with this idea. But let’s take it a little deeper here.
Myth 1: You must be able to do advanced poses to be a real yoga teacher
Handstands. Splits. Fancy transitions.
It’s easy to believe that to earn your place, you’ve got to look like Cirque du Soleil on the mat.
Truth:
Yoga isn’t about performing; it’s about presence. Some of the most profound teachers I’ve learned from have limited mobility themselves. What makes a teacher is not the shape they make but the space they hold.
Myth 2: You need to be vegan, drink green juice, and never touch coffee
Sure, green juice is great (when you’re in the mood). But the stereotype of the "pure" yogi is just that: a stereotype.
Truth:
You’re not defined by what’s in your cup or on your plate. Yoga is about awareness and intention, not perfection. If you mindfully enjoy your morning coffee, guess what? You’re still a yoga teacher.
Myth 3: You must look a certain way
This one hits hard. The image of a yoga teacher is often painted as slim, white, flexible, and youthful. But that excludes so many powerful teachers who don't fit that narrow mould.
Truth:
Yoga is for every body. And teaching yoga is too. What truly matters is your heart, your knowledge, and your care for your students - not your size, age, skin tone, or aesthetic.
Myth 4: You must be a spiritual guru
Not all yoga teachers need to spend months in an ashram (unless you want to, of course).
Truth:
Your connection to yoga is personal. Some teachers are deeply spiritual, while others focus more on movement, breath, or mindfulness. Both are valid, and both serve the people who need them. Although, if you focus on the non-spiritual side, you should really be informing your students about it and acknowledge the roots of yoga.
Myth 5: You must have thousands of followers and packed classes
Social media numbers don’t define your worth as a teacher. Neither does the size of your class.
Truth:
If you make a difference in even one person’s life, you are already doing the work. Impact > numbers, always.
So, what really makes a yoga teacher?
✨ A commitment to sharing the practice in a way that feels authentic to you.
✨ Holding space for others with compassion and care.
✨ Being open to learning, unlearning, and growing - always.
✨ Teaching from lived experience, not performance.
The rest? It’s just noise.
So next time that little voice creeps in, asking: "Am I a real yoga teacher?"
Remember: if you are showing up, doing the work, and teaching from the heart - you absolutely are.
(And if you needed a sign today, let this be it.)