Thoughts on covering yoga classes

The yoga drop-in classes that I hold weekly in Glastonbury are the backbone of my work. I truly enjoy the mix of regular students and new faces and witnessing individuals progress.
Another aspect of my teaching is my work as a cover teacher, sometimes at the Shekinashram and more regularly at the Leisure Centre in Wells. I have become a familiar face to many of the students there and it is gratifying to be so positively received. What I appreciate deeply is how willing the class is to explore yoga from a different perspective with new ways of working.
Yesterday, for example, I introduced restorative pairwork to a group who had showed up for dynamic yoga.
Thinking back to my days as a student at drop-ins, I sometimes held mixed feelings when my regular teacher was replaced, often at no notice! More often than not, it afforded an opportunity to broaden my experience of yoga; I was first introduced to Patanjali by a cover teacher in a health club in South London.
Most of us look for and commit to one teacher as the surest way to advance. I admire those who can easily accept a temporary change of teacher. Moreover I take it as proof that yoga leads to flexibility and openness on all levels…