We were lucky to catch up with Ainhoa Acosta recently and have shared our conversation below.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am an Iyengar Yoga practitioner and teacher, originally from the Basque Country in Spain. I have been teaching full time since 2016 and since then I have dedicated myself to pursue higher Yoga teaching qualifications while establishing my reputation as a teacher.

My first taste of Yoga was at 11 years old. Even at that age, there was something about it that made me feel light and happy. Later in my 20’s, I joined an Iyengar Yoga class and after years of consistent practice (first while still at University, then alongside my career in the media and as a College Professor) I was encouraged to train to teach. I initially resisted it as I didn’t want the training to take away my enjoyment of the practice for its own sake, but the intense programme taught me much more than how to teach: it was a real immersion into the understanding of my own yoga practice and how to help others practice and progress safely, regardless of their own ability or experience.

I now run a boutique Yoga studio that offers in person and online group and private classes all over the world. I teach pure, classical Iyengar Yoga to students from all backgrounds, ages and experience level. What sets me apart from others, I believe, is my ability to present the subject in a way that is faithful to its spiritual roots while making it relevant to the challenges of today’s world. While I am a demanding teacher and practitioner, I enjoy sharing the immense benefits that a consistent yoga practice bring to people’s lives in practical, accessible way to everyone.
I endeavour to help my students progress safely while they integrate Yoga into their daily life.

I teach people from all age groups and it is a real joy to see two or three generations taking a class together in the studio, and progressing at their own pace. It is very satisfying to establish an on-going relationship with my students and being able to guide them through life challenges or health conditions through the application of Yoga. For this reason, I do not do ‘one-offs’ and asses carefully whether my classes are going to be suitable for the person approaching me to teach them. I am also very keen on keeping the practice self-sufficient, profit-making and small enough so that I can keep my personal touch and don’t need to rely on external financing.

I am very proud of having been able to set up a teaching practice that serves both the Yoga novice as well as those in the know. My goal is to make everyone comfortable in a yoga class that will challenge and uplift them.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to let go of the idea that the more I do, the better I am at my job.. I come from a working class family with a strong work ethic, and I was conditioned to feel that unless I kill myself in my job to give my best, I am not doing enough. Running my own boutique studio, this means I can easily overwork to the point of exhaustion.

Teaching yoga classes is a very demanding activity energy-wise, and private classes even more so, as you don’t get energy back from a group. While at the beginning of my teaching career I would take any class that would be offered to me. I quickly learnt that I had to keep time for my personal practice and rest as a priority.

Running my own business in the background also means planning classes, dealing with finances, schedules, professional development, other teachers,… another job in itself that no one sees but that takes time when not teaching.

Burnout is a very real problem is not enough rest, food and time off is planned for and as a freelancer the tendency is to say ‘yes’ to everything. So in the past two years I have prioritised my schedule in such a way that I have a better balance of teaching and time off. I have some non-negotiables now (no teaching after 8 pm and no weekends) that work very well for me. Often, less is more. I love what I do, so I’m still unlearning!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

2018-9 was a particularly tough year, as I left a stable job and a long-term relationship behind, moved apartments twice within 6 months and was preparing for a teaching assessment at a higher level. On top of that, I needed to be checked for a possible health condition, which meant I might not be able to practice as usual.

I was still a very new, inexperienced teacher and the only class I run under my own name was making a loss after paying the studio hire. Money was extremely tight and most of. my time was taken by the assessment preparation and class attendance. Yoga and keeping my mind focused on the end goal (sitting the assessment, regardless of whether I passed or not) was what kept me going. Even though my housing situation was very much up in the air, I decided to push forward and presented myself for assessment. I was nervous, but incredibly excited. Being there was the real victory for me. Passing it was a bonus.

I look back and feel very proud: I could have waited a year or given up on the whole thing, but I trusted that my dedication and passion for teaching would carry me through.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ainhoa-yoga.com
• Instagram: @ainhoaacostayoga
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/iyengaryogawithainhoa
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acostaa/
• Twitter: @yogawithainhoa

Image Credits
Portrait: Tania Fallon