"Do as I say, not as I do." These are the famous last words from people who appear to be wiser than they actually are. Last week while practicing at Yoga Works I witnessed something that blew my mind. The class I was in was a popular level 2/3 vinyasa flow class taught by one of the most popular instructors; however my gripe wasn't with the instructor or the sequencing of postures. I was standing one row behind another prominent, yet younger, Yoga Works instructor and I noticed her continuously stopping her practice to turn around and scope out the class in a way that was well… let’s just say it, bitchy. I was shocked! I totally get it if you have an injury or need to modify certain poses to take care of your own body, but that wasn't what was happening here. Don't get me wrong, the instructor in question is a great instructor and has a rock solid yoga practice herself; however her entire aura was tainted with attitude and judgment. Additionally, the instructor in question was practicing next to a friend and kept chatting with her friend loud enough for the row behind to hear. Did I mention there was music in the class? Yea, that’s how distracting the energy was. This is yoga not social hour at Urth Cafe down the street. When we step into the yoga studio and especially onto our mat aren’t we supposed to focus our attention on arriving and staying present mentally, physically and spiritually? Yoga teaches us to release judgment and quell the ego but I guess some people fell asleep during that lesson, which is fine if you aren’t then teaching others to do the very thing you gloss over.

What happened to leading by example? What happened to integrity and respect for your craft? This brings me to another point. How does one reconcile the discrepancy between being ambitious and successful professionally in the yoga business (yea, it is a business) and practicing what you preach? I call it the “paradox of stress and yoga instruction.” Is it possible to live up to the standards of yoga philosophy like ahimsa, asmita and raga and be a successful instructor? I suppose it depends on how you define success. At least when I enter the "realm of yoga" and step foot inside the studio and onto my mat, I do the best I can to adhere to what I know is right. When it comes to instructing my students, I lead my example, not with heady language that makes me appear like the guru that I am not.