Why mindfulness is not sticking (in the US)
When I trained to become a yoga and meditation teacher, a couple of years ago, I was sure that my intention, teaching skill and passion would be enough to start to feel like I am successful at helping each student found their practice and their inner zen. I envisioned it being a lifelong set of skills that my students can continuously come back to, much as I have in my 23 years of personal practice. I have not given up on this vision, and I am greatly encouraged by the way my students improve, the way they bring their whole presence to the practice and by the kind and enthusiastic feedback I receive from them. But… In the time of the early 00’s, when yoga in the US was having a substantial moment, and I was a new student, I thought that it was only a matter of time before the secret gets out and yoga becomes mainstream; a regular part of one’s week. And in 2023, when I trained as a teacher, it became clearer to me what yoga was and was not, and the Western world’s post-pandemic needs aligned so well with the offering of yoga’s ancient teachings. And yet what I often observe is far from this:
Prohibitive pricing that keeps yoga studios in wealthier communities
MLM-like teacher training recruitment
Lack of a sustainable economic model for yoga educators
Studios that borrow from yoga ideology, but teach burpee-heavy power or sculpting classes that have little to do with the sacred, ancient gift of yoga
Lack of yoga being integrated in established / mainstream school and work structures
Gimmicks designed to maximize attendance: goat yoga, cannabis yoga, and such
Lack of personal practice development as part of teaching yoga
The very limited focus on the young, the old, the disabled
The yoga studio community feeling cliquey rather than inclusive
Overpriced “yoga retreats” that send a message that one must have access to disposable income to be able to delve deeper into yoga via a retreat experience. These actions’ disregard for the damage flying to destinations causes our earth due to carbon emissions.
People that stay in a stagnant practice as opposed to going deeper into their practice
So what do we do with the above? It starts by seeing it clearly and asking questions. Questions like:
“Why do we not see yoga being offered in poorer areas? What communities are lacking yoga that could benefit from it? How do we bring it there?”
“Is the pricing I am offering as an educator fair and accessible to all members of my community?”
“Who can benefit from understanding yoga, and what can I do to help their understanding?”
and, most importantly;
“Am I offering yoga in the way that aligns with my deeper understanding of yoga as a sacred practice?”
It is important to see these things without judgment. Capitalism and yoga contradict one another. We live and often benefit from capitalism. The most clarity is found in the middle, not at the opposite ends of the polarity. My frustration with not seeing (yet!) all the things that yoga can be, heal, uncover in an aching Western world only means that I must continue the path to disrupting the systems. As I walk this path, I continue find my collaborators, that are also seeking a different path.
And finally… the model is also broken for teachers. But that’s for another [upcoming] blog!