Teaching begins with listening

- Researching strengthening and stretching for Rheumatoid Arthritis of the Hand -

Teaching yoga allows me to do one of my most favorite things - learn. I love being a student. I find the human body endlessly interesting. And to be completely honest, I didn't realize how interesting I would find it until I was in my late 40's, enrolled in a yoga teacher training.

At that time, I had no desire to teach. I simply wanted to feel better. I had been living with back and neck pain for years and had begun to find relief in yoga classes. I found a teacher, Andrew Dugas of YogaBetter, who truly spoke to me. He introduced me to anatomy, thoughtful teaching, and - perhaps most importantly - how little I actually knew about the human body and how it works. The more I learned, the more curious I became. And that curiosity eventually turned into a desire to share what I was learning in ways that could genuinely support others.

Recently, I completed a course through the University of Exeter focused on improving function of the rheumatoid hand. I chose this training because one of my clients lives with rheumatoid arthritis. I wanted a deeper understanding of what is happening inside the joints, how inflammation affects movement, and how I could more thoughtfully support her practice. This experience is a perfect example of how my continuing education is often guided by the people in my classes. I listen to what clients are dealing with in their bodies, and I shape my learning around how I can help them move with more confidence, comfort, and safety.

Over the years, I’ve spent countless hours reading and studying topics that come up again and again in class - neck pain, shoulder issues, back pain, joint health, and mobility. I have also studied trauma and the nervous system, because our life experiences live in our bodies, and movement is never purely physical. I attend workshops, complete specialized trainings, and regularly revisit anatomy. I truly love learning how the body works, and I remain continually amazed by its resilience and complexity.

For me, continuing education is about becoming a better teacher for real people with real lives - injuries, diagnoses, stressors, and goals. Everyone who shows up on their mat brings a unique history with them. The more I understand, the better I can offer thoughtful options, supportive modifications, and cues that respect where a client is today.

This ongoing learning has also shaped how my teaching has evolved over time. What I taught years ago has naturally shifted as research has grown and as my own understanding of movement has deepened. While my teaching has always centered on joint range of motion, in recent years I've focused more intentionally on functional strength and sustainable movement - the kind that supports not only how you move in class, but how you move through daily life. From going after a serve to getting out of a chair. From storing luggage in an overhead airplane compartment to walking steadily. Each of these everyday actions depends on the same foundational skills.

Sometimes people are surprised by how much time I spend studying outside of class. Behind every hour of teaching are many hours of reading, researching, practicing, questioning, and refining. I’m constantly asking myself: How can this be safer? More effective? More supportive of long-term health? That curiosity is what keeps me grounded and engaged as a teacher.

What feels especially meaningful is when education directly helps someone in front of me. When a client with arthritis finds more ease in their hands. When shoulder pain begins to soften. When someone who once felt hesitant about movement begins to trust their body again. These moments remind me why continuing education matters so deeply to me.

Yoga, at its heart, is a lifelong practice. And for me, so is learning. I am committed to staying curious, staying informed, and continuing to grow so I can show up with integrity, knowledge, and care for every person who steps into class.

mgk