I teach yoga. Sort of. I am adjunct faculty on a college campus, so I teach yoga as a college course. That being said, my main goal with my students isn’t necessarily to see who can make the most impressive flexibility gains or do the most challenging pose. Safety is the name of the game and so the goal is usually to get through the semester without needing to send a student to health services (or worse).

See, I have never actually been through one of the yoga teacher training courses or seminars. That’s not to say I haven’t studied yoga, I have just done so very differently than most yoga instructors. Most yoga teachers study the poses, learn the Sanskrit names, study energy flow and the subtle body, and learn more of the spiritual benefits. I have studied yoga from the viewpoint of my evidence based science background.

I have to do continuing education courses to keep my certifications current and I have been through several (like more than 10) yoga courses in this manner. These courses tend to teach yoga with reviews on anatomy and biomechanics. They tend to focus more on the physical benefits of the asana and pranayama. The teach safety and modifications for rehabilitation and injury prevention. And that makes me a fairly non-traditional yoga instructor.

I certainly believe in the power of meditation and the spiritual Limbs, which I try to practice as regularly as asana and pranayama. I can attest to the fact that meditation and directed thought has changed many aspects of my life for the better. But I don’t know the Sanskrit names for most of the asanas. I teach my students to engage their bandhas without ever using that phrasing. I use more traditional instructions commonly associated with proper posture in general. I talk about energy centers, the subtle body and chakras while staying more in the realm of science and research.

And, truth be told, that might be a good thing. Over the years, I have heard from many people trying to get involved in a yoga practice that they feel overwhelmed. They feel dazed when trying to attempt poses in class. They feel embarrassed about their level of flexibility. They feel lost when the instructions consist of, “do what you can.” And they feel dumbfounded when the instructor hands them a list of Sanskrit translations.

I have felt those same things trying to kick start my own yoga practice. But those feelings of uncertainty don’t have to exist. I don’t believe you have to know the Sanskrit names for the asanas to get the most benefit from them. Flexibility is an ever changing entity that leaves you feeling like a graceful swan in one pose (or one day) and like a baby giraffe learning to walk the next. Meditation practice doesn’t have to be mystic if you learn a few simple tricks.

And that is part of what makes yoga amazing. Every approach is unique to the individual practicing. My background is strong in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and nutrition. I will always bring that approach to my personal yoga practice and how I teach it. And I am no longer going to apologize for it.