From Passion to Evolution
Why Evolution is the Key to Inspired Teaching
Passion got me started teaching yoga, but evolution kept me going. When I first stepped onto a yoga mat, it wasn't some grand, life-altering moment that made me return—it was curiosity that kept me coming back. Over time, what began as a simple interest grew into something much deeper.
My first yoga practice was Rodney Yee's AM Yoga for Beginners VHS tape on a royal blue yoga mat rolled out in my parent's living room. Yoga movements felt natural to me, almost intuitive. I was "good" at it, which always helps when trying something new. As a nutrition and exercise physiology major in college, I started taking yoga classes—first on campus and later at studios. Those early teachers became role models, and as I earned group exercise certifications, I started exploring teaching yoga myself.
I didn't know I'd be an effective yoga teacher when I signed up for my first training. I discovered it along the way. I enjoyed learning about yoga and asana, and it sparked my creativity. It gave me the chance to be a student of my body, my life, and the practice itself. Studying yoga scratches an itch in my brain—it quenches a thirst for knowledge that never runs dry. The history, philosophy, and teachings of yoga are vast, and every time I revisit them through the lens of my evolving life experiences, they reveal something new.
Figuring out how to build my first few classes felt (and still feels) like solving a creative puzzle. My mind thrives on sequential and logical thinking. Students liked classes; they kept coming back, and their positive feedback fueled my confidence. Then, I realized what I offered made a difference in their lives. That feeling—that connection—kept me coming back.
However, my teaching practice, including the skills that make a compelling teacher, didn't develop all at once. I tried dozens of styles and parroted popular teachers whose classes were packed mat to mat. That period of "trying on" teaching styles was critical for understanding my voice. Like discovering a personal clothing style, I needed to see what fit, what didn't, and what resonated most deeply with me.
It's so important for yoga teachers to let themselves evolve because yoga is, at its heart, a living practice. It grows, shifts, and deepens alongside you. Just like your body and life changes over time, how you understand and teach yoga will shift, too. Otherwise, we risk getting stuck—no one wants that for themselves or their students.
Letting yourself evolve as a teacher isn't about throwing out everything you've learned or suddenly becoming someone you're not. It's about layering new wisdom onto the foundation you've already built. It's staying curious and open to learning, unlearning, and trying things on to see what fits now. For example, those go-to cues that felt universal a few years ago? They might not land the same after you deepen your understanding of anatomy or inclusivity. Maybe you're drawn to weave in more philosophy or meditation—or even incorporate more stillness or silence in your classes.
These shifts don't mean you've "lost" anything. They're proof you're growing. And that's the beauty of it. Your teaching evolves along with you, and it also gives your students permission to evolve. You're modeling what it looks like to adapt, show up authentically, and embrace the messy, beautiful learning process as you go.
I'm in a new stage of my evolution as a teacher. I've come to see it isn't just about personal growth—it's also about responsibility. Yoga is bigger than any one of us, and teaching it means carrying the weight of its history and roots. The practice we share has been through so much—commercialization, cultural appropriation, you name it—and as teachers, it's on us to honor its origins while finding our place within it.
This isn't always easy. For me, it has meant sitting with uncomfortable truths, like how I've marketed or taught in the past, which might have played into stereotypes or glossed over yoga's depth. But it's worth it because it pushes me to do better—for myself, my students, and the practice itself.
Ultimately, you're exactly where you need to be in your evolution. You may be mastering new asana or public speaking techniques or trying different styles. You may be learning more about the roots of the practice and how you can honor them as a steward of the tradition. Trust that you will grow as long as you stay open and embrace change. Your love of practicing and teaching yoga will deepen and transform over time. Passion might spark the journey, but evolution keeps the fire burning.