17/10/2024
"The Best Teacher Is Within" from my book Hot Yoga Revolution
I’ll never forget the first time I met Benjamin. It was a 6 PM class, and I noticed him as soon as he walked through the door. He had this big, welcoming smile on his face, the kind that instantly lifts the mood of the entire room. There was something about his energy—eager, positive, like he was truly excited to be there. I could tell from the start that he was going to be a good student.
Throughout the class, Benjamin was fully present. He listened intently to every cue, made adjustments with care, and even took breaks when he needed to, resting in child’s pose without a hint of self-judgment. As a new teacher, it filled me with joy to see someone approach the practice with such openness and enthusiasm. I thought to myself, This is what teaching is all about.
After class, Benjamin came up to me, still smiling ear to ear. “Sumit, wow! That was the best yoga class I have ever taken,” he said, his eyes wide with sincerity. I could feel my chest swell with pride. There’s nothing quite like hearing those words as a teacher, especially when you’re just starting out. It felt like a stamp of validation—proof that I was doing something right.
I told him, “I’m so glad you enjoyed it! You should come back tomorrow.”
And come back he did. The next day, the same thing happened. At the end of class, Benjamin came up to me and said, “Sumit, yesterday was amazing, but today… today was even better!” I could feel the same sense of fulfillment wash over me, like I was giving him something meaningful, class after class. This pattern continued for weeks. Each time, Benjamin would come out of the room glowing, telling me how that day’s class was the best he had ever experienced. It was like he treated every practice as his new favorite.
Then came a day when I wasn’t teaching. I had decided to join the weekend class as a student, and it turned out that Benjamin was in that class too. Nancy, one of my colleagues, was leading the session. I settled onto my mat, curious to see if Benjamin’s enthusiasm would be the same with another teacher.
As the class ended, I watched as Benjamin walked up to Kim, his eyes sparkling as usual. “Wow, Nancy, that was an incredible yoga class. I’ve never had a class like that before!” he exclaimed. I stood there, watching their interaction, and felt a momentary pang of doubt. Had he really meant all those compliments he’d given me? But then, something shifted inside me, and a valuable lesson became crystal clear.
It wasn’t about me, or Nancy, or who was teaching the class. It was about Benjamin. His approach to yoga wasn’t about finding the “best” teacher—it was about practicing in a way that made every class feel like it was the best he’d ever had. Whether he was flowing through every pose or resting in savasana, he treated each session like it was his ultimate practice. He showed up fully, embraced the experience, and took ownership of his journey on the mat.
Benjamin taught me that the real teacher is within. Each of us is our own best guide if we’re willing to listen. The magic didn’t come from me or from Nancy—it came from Benjamin’s mindset, his willingness to see the beauty in every practice, and his commitment to being present, no matter who was leading the class. He wasn’t there to judge the experience; he was there to experience the moment.
That realization was profound for me. It changed the way I viewed my role as a teacher. I understood that I was there to facilitate, to guide, but not to be the source of anyone’s transformation. The students’ willingness to embrace the practice, to see each class as a new opportunity for growth, was where the true magic happened. Benjamin reminded me that yoga is about showing up—again and again—with a fresh perspective and an open heart, ready to find something new, even in the familiar.
Benjamin’s enthusiasm was a powerful lesson. It showed me that the real gift of yoga isn’t in achieving the perfect pose or hearing praise from others. It’s in the ability to step onto the mat, let go of expectations, and treat each moment as if it’s the best one yet. That’s how we become our own best teachers, and that’s how we keep finding joy in the practice, every single day.
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