Why leading yoga teacher trainings fills me with purpose and passion
Michele Taylor 
Together, we build community, engage in continuous self-improvement, and make a profound impact on well-being.
Someone asked me the other day if I ever regretted “retiring” from my career as an attorney for yoga. The timing was significant because it was just 2 days after graduating a group of 7 AMAZE-BALLS yoga teachers, so of course my gut reaction was “OMG Never!” I have to admit, there have been certain times in every training that I’ve led when the load felt really heavy and the road was relentless. That sentiment was the same when I was a lawyer and the paychecks sure seemed to make it worth the pain, but when I take a look back, that phrase “money can’t buy you happiness” sure hits home. The path of yoga is a journey of self-discovery and holistic well-being, and being able to witness and help cultivate that growth and passion is an honor in which I experience immense joy and fulfillment. This is amplified 10-fold when it comes to training yoga teachers, so even when rough patches exist in the training (like when trainees are feeling overwhelmed with the content, having vulnerability hangovers or remembering there's an EXAM) and I have to bear some of that weight, it's TOTALLY worth it!
As a yoga teacher trainer, I leave a legacy that empowers countless future yogis by equipping yoga instructors with the knowledge, skills, and confidence they need to share the benefits of yoga with others. Witnessing their growth and transformation, both in their practice and teaching abilities, fills me with pride and inspires me to continue my journey.
Yoga is not just a physical practice; it's a way of life that embraces mindfulness, self-care, and inner peace. Leading yoga teacher trainings allows me to inspire participants to develop a lifelong love for yoga. I get to guide them in exploring the deeper dimensions of yoga, including its philosophy, meditation, and pranayama practices, and watch as they integrate these principles into their lives.
And if you’ve been to my classes, you probably know that I absolutely love the physical aspects of the body in asana. So, teaching alignment, anatomy and assisting keeps challenging my aging brain😉, but also allows me to stay curious and explore and experiment with new teaching practices, sequences, and approaches. Encouraging trainees to think creatively and adapt their teaching to diverse student needs enriches the yoga community and keeps the practice fresh and relevant.
At present, individuals and society at large are bogged down with conflict, intolerance and the numbing effects of social media. Yoga teacher trainings bring together individuals from various backgrounds and experiences who share a passion for yoga. What I’ve witnessed in every yoga teacher training is a microcosm wherein these yogis get to create a community where those toxic circumstances are addressed, challenged and changed. It proves that growth and transformation is possible, desirable and feasible. We build a supportive and inclusive yoga community that fosters collaboration and shared knowledge. This sense of unity among us teachers enhances our personal growth and collective journey.
Leading yoga teacher trainings requires constant self-reflection and growth for me and the participants. It pushes me to continually question and evolve in my personal life. It requires me to stay curious and vulnerable, and when I share my own life lessons, it encourages the yogis to do the same. My favorite saying in our inquiry sessions is “the more personal, the more universal.” What we discover is that the more we think a feeling, response or imperfection is unique to me alone, when we share this experience with others, we learn that in fact, at lease one and usually many, have also had this type of experience. Shining light on our darkest spaces is the first step, and often only one necessary, to cause it to disappear. This is why inquiry sessions are my favorite and the most significant way these trainings lead to whole-life transformation.
By equipping yoga instructors with the tools they need to guide students toward physical and mental balance, I contribute to a healthier and more harmonious world. Each well-trained yoga teacher has the potential to transform lives, promote wellness, and create a ripple effect of positive change.
So, while all of my experience in the legal field is invaluable and I still “practice law” in many realms of my life, in yoga, and specifically leading teacher trainings, I have both a noble profession, my passion and way of life. I am truly humbled by how fortunate I am to be able to share this practice with others and that fuels my love for yoga teacher training. I am so lucky to be able to continue on this rewarding journey helping individuals find balance, inner peace, and well-being through 200 and 300 hour yoga teacher trainings.