Three New Yoga Teacher Tips You Didn’t Know You Needed
“Three New Yoga Teacher Tips You Didn’t Know You Needed”
You’ve finally completed your yoga teacher training (YTT). Congratulations! But now the prospect of teaching that first class seems daunting. Or maybe you’ve got a few classes under your belt but you’re still waiting for that *aha* moment where you feel as natural as your own favorite yoga teacher appears when she teaches.
The key? Don’t overthink it. The most confident yoga teachers keep it simple – and so should you. Here are three easy tips you may be overlooking as you get started in finding yourself as a yoga teacher.
Tip #1: Just. Get. Started.
The simplest – and perhaps most difficult – tip. If you haven’t taught a class yet, here’s your sign to get out there and DO IT! Nothing will be more terrifying than that first class outside of your YTT, but once you do it, you’ve done it. *Sigh of relief*
But whether you’re gearing up to teach that first class or you’ve led a handful of classes already, one common fear among new yoga teachers is what kinds of students will show up? You may wind up with a very mixed crowd of yogis, from those who have never stepped foot on a mat to those who could do the class with their eyes closed. So, what do you do?
For several reasons, the best thing to do is teach to the beginners in the room. First, if you’re teaching to the beginners, you’ll get a better sense of whether you’re using understandable cues. If you’re teaching Warrior II, an experienced yogi will likely know how to align her feet and her arms without your instruction. But if you’re teaching to the beginner in the room, you’ll have a visual of which cues you may still need to give.
Additionally, students feel special when the teacher focuses on them. This is especially true for beginners. A new student wants to know her teacher sees her and values her presence (more on this in a bit). By teaching to the beginners in the room, you make sure they’re receiving a special, personalized experience – one that they’ll want to keep coming back for!
You may also ask a friend or fellow YTT classmate to come to your class and act as your “beginner” yogi. Have them set up toward the back of the room and do your poses exactly as you’re cueing them so you can see exactly what your students are hearing. Your friend may also be able to give you subtle physical cues if you forget to do a pose on one side or cue right instead of left!
Tip #2: Teach What You Know
Many yoga teachers experience imposter syndrome. This is when someone feels she is not being her authentic self but is impersonating who she wishes to be. One way to mitigate imposter syndrome? Teach what you know.
Teaching what you know is challenging in the beginning because you don’t know a lot yet! Therefore, many new teachers start out by sharing messages or quotes they’ve heard from other classes or maybe even read on Pinterest. And there’s nothing wrong with that, especially in the beginning of your teaching journey.
When you first start out, you’ll likely find yourself emulating your own favorite yoga teachers – using the same cues, structuring similar flows, maybe even borrowing their playlists. But overtime, you will cultivate your own unique yoga teaching voice and style that your students will come to know and love – this is what will keep them coming back for more.
As you’re figuring out what your natural teaching style is, resist the urge to overload your students with spiritual messages or complicated themes. It’s a good idea to try different things and see what works for you. But you don’t have to throw the whole kitchen sink at one class. And ultimately, the best way to find your teaching voice is to share your own authentic experiences with your students. Remember: you attract what you put out into the universe. So if you’re putting out something that isn’t quite “you,” you may not be attracting the students who will best vibe with you!
It’s also important to always be a student first. Don’t get hung up on specific things you want or have to teach. You may read a super inspiring passage from a book or attend a class where you completely vibe with the teacher. That’s awesome! But it’s okay to just experience these things as a student without thinking, “How will I incorporate that into my class?” If you continue showing up as an open-minded student, these experiences will keep sinking in and will help you be an overall more well-rounded, knowledgeable, and confident teacher.
Tip #3: Meet The Students Where They Are
Remember that this class is not about you – it’s about the students. You are creating a unique and special experience for them. Always teach to your students with kindness and compassion, and trust them to do the rest – they’ll retain what you’re teaching and apply what they can.
Conversely, when students don’t seem to be connecting to what you’re saying, don’t take it personally! If you’re using a cue that just isn’t vibing with some students, that’s okay – the students who vibe with it will use it. If it just isn’t connecting with some or all of the students, that’s all good, too. Maybe it just isn’t the strongest cue. Let it go and move on to the next part of your sequence – your students won’t get hung up on it if you don’t!
The Takeaway
These are three simple yet effective tips as you’re navigating the beginning of your yoga teaching journey. If you’re nervous about the class level you’re teaching? Teach to the beginner! Teach things coming from your heart that are authentically you – as in other areas of life, just be yourself. And meet the students where they’re at. This will help build an everlasting connection, because at the end of the day people just want to feel seen. When someone feels seen just as they are by a leader – in this case, you! – you’re setting the foundation for a long-lasting relationship. Before you know it, you’ll have regular yogis who show up to class looking for exactly what you have to offer.
Blog written by Kaitlyn D’onofiro
For more new yoga teacher tips download our free E-Book “Beyond Yoga Teacher Training” HERE.