Teaching beyond the physical practice of yoga

Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey as a yoga teacher, but not sure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Luis Jimenez, the founder of Luis in Motion. Luis is a Yoga teacher, Thai Yoga practitioner, Functional Range Conditioning coach, photographer, writer and founder of the Healing Talks Podcast.

Why and when did you become a yoga teacher?

I discovered Yoga after a motorcycle accident left me badly injured for several weeks. After I was cleared to exercise, I began practicing Yoga as a way to heal myself. What I discovered after my first Yoga class was that Yoga is about more than just postures.

Towards the end of my first class, I began crying and releasing a lot of emotions and tension that I had stored in my body my whole life. This led me on a journey to share the practice of Yoga with as many people as I possibly could so in 2016 I became a Full Time Yoga teacher and haven’t looked back since.

What is the most rewarding part of being a yoga teacher?

The most rewarding part about what I do is that it’s mutually beneficial. The practice starts and ends with us. The more I heal, the more I can share the power of healing with others.

Those people are then able to show up more inspired, loving, compassionate and aware towards their friends, family and others in the world. We all heal together and the ripple effect causes the world to be a better place to live.

What is the most challenging part of your job?

The most challenging part about my job is clearing up a lot of the misconceptions that there are around Yoga. Dispelling myths and lies about Yoga and educating people on the fact that Yoga is not just a physical practice but also a way of life. This is one of the most difficult aspects of my job, but it’s also a great time for me to bring about more understanding to others which is something I love to do.

Any advice you'd give a yoga teacher just starting out?

Practice daily. We cannot give what we don’t have. Meditate every morning. It’s important that we take time for ourselves to fill our own cups and teach from experience instead of from a book or by copying what other teachers are doing.

Also, I feel it’s important that we learn and teach about all the branches of Yoga not just Asana. Asana (postures) is just one aspect of Yoga. Yoga means union.

It’s important that we as teachers carry on the traditions and practices of the 8 branches of Yoga like meditation (Dhyana) , Pranayama (Breathwork), Yamas and Niyamas (inner and outter observances) as well as the other limbs of Yoga which help us arrive at the ultimate goal of the practice which is Moksha (liberation) and Samadhi (bliss).

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Yoga is like a mountain with no top. There is not finish line, Golden star at the end. It’s an ancient technology and system that allows us to come into the present moment and helps us to realize that everything we need is already with us.

The ultimate realization is that we are already enlightened. Practices like Yoga just allow us to strip away all the programming and thoughts that stop us from seeing the fact that we are already enlightened.

Where to stay in touch:

Luis Jimenez | luisinmotion.com | @luisinmotion

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a small business owner or yoga instructor that you'd like to share then email community@subkit.com, we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

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