The Request That Sparked Reflection
When my teacher, Aris Kapetanakis, asked me to write a short essay explaining why I wanted to become a yoga teacher, I was taken aback. I felt frozen – though I hope it didn’t show. My first thought was: “Isn’t it enough that I want to teach?”
But after a day or two of reflection, the clarity came. I simply had to observe myself – both as a person and as a student – to recognise the deeper significance of the question and the value of the teacher-student relationship.
First Encounter with Ashtanga Yoga
It was in November 2012 that I first stepped into an Ashtanga Yoga class at Porta Pandana (Ashtanga Yoga Athens). I distinctly remember the state I was in – sad, exhausted, and deeply stressed. But by the end of that very first practice, something had shifted. I felt energised, peaceful, lighter. I could even say, to my surprise, that I felt happy.
It was a total transformation. I felt grateful – not only for the practice itself but for the presence of a teacher who was both knowledgeable and unrelentingly honest.
Losing and Reclaiming the Practice
As is often the case, life’s demands pulled me away from the one thing that truly made me feel well. I stopped practicing. But fate, or perhaps grace, intervened. Through a series of seemingly random events, I returned to practice – once again under the guidance of the same charismatic teacher.
This time, I was no longer physically depleted, but mentally and emotionally drained. And once again, the practice began to work on me from the inside out.
Transformation from Within
What I experience now during practice is beyond words. There’s a power I tap into – a liberating force that clears my body, my mind, and my soul. The transformation continues, each time deeper than before. My body is becoming stronger, more flexible. My energy rises steadily, as though an internal flame is growing brighter with each breath.
The physical challenge can be intense. At times, my body aches deeply after practice. But even the pain is a lesson, a call to explore rather than retreat. I see now that this is something my teacher lives by – work with what you have. That lesson alone is transformative.
Peace of Mind and Clarity of Heart
There are moments in the practice where my mind settles into peacefulness. It’s a serenity that stays with me, allowing me to face stress and conflict with far greater calm than ever before.
Through my teacher’s guidance, I’ve learned not just how to move, but how to direct my energy with purpose. I’m learning to love myself, to manage anger, to respond rather than react – to sit with a difficult emotion as I would with a difficult asana.
The Desire to Share
Of course, there is still much work ahead. But I now have the awareness to recognise my feelings and understand where they come from. And sometimes – after practice – I experience a wave of unconditional love, a sense that we are all connected, all one.
This path, with all its lessons and challenges, has made me reflect deeply. Is it the Ashtanga Yoga method that’s responsible for this transformation? Or is it the transmission of energy, the bond between teacher and student, that catalyses such change?
I’ve come to believe it’s both. Yoga cannot unfold its potential without a teacher. And a teacher cannot teach without yoga. True growth begins when we allow the teacher to cross the threshold of the soul.
A Responsibility Beyond Instruction
I understand now that teaching yoga is not just another job – it’s a profound responsibility. It demands physical resilience, spiritual dedication, and the willingness to walk alongside others on their path to healing and self-discovery. As a teacher, you become – symbolically – the doctor of both body and soul.
I feel ready and deeply called to share this experience. To pass on not just what I’ve learned, but what I’ve lived – with deep gratitude to the teacher who continues to light the way.
Namaste.