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You probably don’t see many of these titles.

Throughout the years, you may have gotten sick of the articles about why people have left everything to become a yoga teacher to become a health guru, to motivate people, or to direct them to a healthier, more stable life, physically and mentally. Right?

I know I have seen my share of these articles.

I can’t remember the last time I haven’t heard of someone who has become a yoga teacher or a fitness instructor. Almost every day, someone tells me they’re joining “the club,” and it’s not that I dislike people’s sudden interest in the health industry; on the contrary, it’s beautiful to see how many people have progressed throughout the years to become fitter and healthier and have learned to breathe better. It’s truly fascinating and amazing.

But just like every other thing that becomes a trend, at some point, it loses its authenticity, and if you are still one of the genuine people out there, you can’t but feel it. It’s as if the place where you feel you have belonged has all of a sudden changed into something it is not. I don’t mean to attack or judge anyone; to each their own, and everyone goes through their own journey, but I believe I am entitled to feel disgusted by this community. Why?

I have yet to meet a genuine yoga teacher—one who has truly understood the art of yoga, instead of going in class, talking in Sanskrit, and praying to a God who isn’t his/hers just because they were taught to do so at their yoga teacher training. Is it just me or has this part of society become a business that, just like others, has a set of rules, regulations, and protocols we should abide to? Do this now, don’t forget the three OMs at the end of the class, don’t forget the namaste, then get paid and leave.

We have made yoga a business like any other thing, knowing that it was supposed to be an escape from all that we find fake in our society and that we have turned into everything except for honesty and truthfulness.

The reason I talk about this is because I see how people are in class and how they are off their mats. Aside from the handstands and wheel poses, how many of us yoga teachers are actual yogis? Do we do in real life what we ask our students on the mat? Also, when did yoga become so expensive? And, most importantly, why? Yoga is a practice that is most likely given for free in its native country, but unfortunately, it is the most expensive practice in other parts of the world.

I’m not saying that we should be giving out yoga classes for free. At the end of the day, this is a business, whether we like it or not, and people make a career out of it; a career means making money, right? Right. But have you seen lately the prices for a yoga class?

It’s probably me; maybe I’m not fit for this anymore, or maybe I’m looking so much toward other people that I should just focus on myself as a teacher and be the version I see ideal. But I don’t think it’s about that. Somewhere between the sweat and Chaturangas and between the celery juice and diet, I have lost what it is I like to begin with. I have been struggling lately with everything that is wrong in the world (who am I to say what’s wrong or right, I know). Something just doesn’t seem right anymore.

I think authenticity no longer exists. This is why I have left a career in health and fitness.

I want to find more authenticity, or maybe the closest I can get to authenticity in a world that is fake to its core where people are more concerned about writing opinions and leaving comments on a post, instead of taking action and being productive in their own lives. And somehow, this is starting to translate in real life. Is it just me? Or can anyone else relate?

I’m sure we aren’t all like that. I believe in the goodness and kindness of people; I believe there is still a lot of genuine and honest people in our societies, but unfortunately, I also believe that the majority is taking away most of that beauty.

So, here’s to finding and being around more genuine people. I know it’s rare nowadays, but that’s the fun of it. We learn to treasure people and appreciate them more all because we know how rare their authenticity is.

Here’s to authenticity. May we always have it and keep it.

~

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