The Teacher’s Teacher: Why Every Yoga Teacher Needs a Mentor

A career as a yoga teacher can be exhilarating, humbling, and sometimes overwhelming. Even experienced teachers may face burnout or feel unsure of their path. The key to sustaining inspiration lies in maintaining your own practice and seeking guidance from other experienced teachers.

This year I was fortunate to retreat with Lara to India.

As a teacher of yoga, YOUR own practice forms the foundation of your teaching. The learning doesn’t end when you finish the training and hold that certification high…that is just the beginning!

Our individual practice is a constant evolution, and through the guidance of another we discover nuances and perspectives as well as mentorship, support and a safe space where we can remove the responsibility of being a teacher and instead receive the teachings. I love being under the guidance of another yoga teacher - an opportunity to be held so that the magic can unfold - while there’s a wealth of learning that comes from teaching and being a teacher, the wisdom that comes from another person’s perspective of yoga asana, mudra, pranayama and personal practice is precious.

For me personally I’m not into seeking a Guru in my teacher - I don’t ascribe to hierarchy or ‘better than’ - I’m seeking an equal who offers wisdom, empathy and insights into yoga beyond asana because this is the kind of teacher I aspire to be.

You’ll sometimes see me practicing at my own studio under the guidance of another and getting to be a student! Truth be told, I don’t get the opportunity to practice often in person with other yoga teachers, but when the opportunity arises - I’m there! It really is such a novelty.

Teachers come in many different forms, I have had lots over more than 30 years of my practice, the one I have leaned into the most has been Lara, although I’ve known her for maybe 13 years, I didn’t start practicing with her until 9 years ago and have learned so much from her loving guidance in the time we have spent together - both on and off the mat.

Finding friendship is an added bonus, and while I don’t have many teacher friends, I cherish the ones I do have; it’s wonderful to be able to connect with other yoga teachers about aspects of yoga that are not based around the asana practice, to have constructive conversations while sharing thoughts, opinions and precious insights.

If you’re a yoga teacher that doesn’t have a connection with another teacher for practice and insight - then you are absolutely missing out - and if your teacher doesn’t have their own teacher that’s a red flag!

If you’re looking to connect with a Mentor one on one or join my mentoring program in 2026 - let’s connect!