TEACHER, Teacher, teacher.

Teacher dependency, it’s a thing amongst many students and teachers as we try to live the life of a seeker. It’s no surprise, especially for those of us who have experienced some sort of awakening or transformation through the practice of yoga.

But what happens when this dependency leads us to seek outside of ourselves, believing that the only way our yogic journey can go on, whether that’s teaching or practising, is under the guidance of another whom we place above ourselves?

I’ve seen it happen with many teachers I’ve worked with, in fact I’ve been there myself. For the first five or so years of teaching, I thought myself inadequate for not having a guru. From LA, to India, to New York, to Sydney, I signed up for endless workshops, trainings and sampled numerous classes in search of “that” teacher. To the one who would nurture me, take me under their wing and basically tell me what to do.

Years later, I accepted something pretty powerful : that dynamic just wasn’t for me. Guruji, guru, sage, master…none of those whom I'd encountered fitted this ideal, nor did it feel right when anyone tried to imply this role upon me.

Lately, the wellness world is feeling the effects of cancel culture and controversy. I’m for it in some ways, as I’ve been witness to teachers who forget the heart of this practice and bathe in power and adoration. On the other hand, I feel there also needs to be space for our human fallibility, a gap for us to trust another’s intention, even when it doesn’t gel.

Reach out to me anytime if you’d to chat about this. It’s a big topic and most likely emotional for some.

I hope that we keep seeking, but most of all, I hope that the teacher that we hold in the highest regard, lives within.

Love, Leanne xoxo