I often talk about my mentor during training sessions, sharing personal stories about our journey together. This makes the concept of mentorship more relatable. Dr Praveena Shetty also spoke about her relationship with her mentors in her lecture last January, emphasising that we can have multiple mentors throughout our lives. Some mentors will stay with us throughout our lives, and others will take us from A to B or B to C. But whatever it is, the process is still the same. Mentors are essential for guiding us through challenges and helping us achieve significant results in our chosen fields. They provide support, guidance, and valuable insights, making mentorship essential for personal and professional growth.
The word "mentor" originates from Greek mythology; it is widely cited that mentoring originated with the character of Mentor in Homer’s Odyssey. In this Ancient Greek epic poem, dating back around 3000 years, Odysseus entrusts his young son Telemachus to the care of Mentor, his trusted companion, when he goes to fight in the Trojan War. Unexpectedly, he is away for decades and during that time Mentor nurtures and supports the boy.
In the first chapter of the Yogasutra, Patañjali talks about various practices to help us calm down and think clearly. One of these practices involves seeking advice from someone wiser who has worked on their personal growth (YS I.37.) This is like having a mentor who can guide us in recognising our patterns and overcoming our obstacles.
Challenges will arise once we begin our yoga teaching, and the path may become confusing. What do you do when you forget which side is starboard? You reach out to our mentor, as they can provide both context and empathy, as they have very likely been through something similar.
When I started teaching yoga, my mentors played a crucial role in shaping my development, effectiveness, and overall success in my teaching career. They provided valuable support in several ways:
1. Skill Development: My mentors helped me improve as a yoga teacher by offering tips on class structure, sequencing, and effective teaching methods.
2. Emotional Support: Teaching yoga can be tough, but having mentors who had my back helped me navigate challenges and stay resilient.
3. Feedback on Teaching Skills: My mentors regularly provided feedback to help me identify my strengths and areas for improvement. They also shared advanced techniques and practices to enhance my teaching skills.
4. Encouragement for Self-Reflection: My mentors gently encouraged me to reflect on my motivations, goals, and teaching style, which helped me gain better self-understanding.
While the mentoring process has not always been easy for my ego, I do not doubt that it has significantly contributed to boosting my confidence and helping me teach with more authenticity. Looking back, my mentors also provided insights into the cultural and historical context of yoga, guiding me to avoid cultural insensitivity and apply yoga principles appropriately in different cultural and societal contexts. In a changing world, staying faithful to the teaching while advancing has been the gift of mentorship.
My mentor keeps me on the right track, emphasising the importance of ethical standards, professionalism, and integrity in yoga teaching. He leads by example, setting the bar for ethical personal practice and teaching. Essentially, my mentor provides me with the same things I want to offer my own students – clarity, inspiration, kindness, self-love, wisdom, meditation, advice, and guidance. I encourage you to kick off your mentorship journey today. Find someone in the yoga community you admire and let them know you're interested in being mentored. You'll be surprised at how much you can learn and develop with a mentor by your side.
Ask yourself these questions:
Does the person you are considering have a sense of character you respect?
Do you like the way they teach?
Do you admire the way they carry themselves off the mat?
Do you like the type of personal practice they have?
Once you have an idea of who your mentor might be, reach out by asking questions after class or sending an email. Try to say or write something where the person will have to give a thoughtful response related to yoga. If you like the response, keep building the relationship. A mentorship can be as casual as just continuing to ask questions after class or through email.
And remember, grow the relationship around yoga, prioritising your development as a yogi.
The teachers who appeared for me did not tell me “what” to think; instead, they encouraged me to listen openly, think about what they said, and discuss any doubts or questions with them.
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