Ever wondered what sets truly successful yoga teachers apart? Keep reading as we unveil the ten secrets that enhance their influence and effectiveness in the realm of yoga instruction.
Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or just stepping into the teaching realm, I believe these invaluable secrets hold the key to unlocking your fullest potential. Dive into this transformative exploration and discover the secrets that will redefine your approach to yoga instruction.
Perhaps this is the first and most important point! Very often, yoga teachers get so deep into teaching that they completely forget about their personal time on the mat. And this is not a good trend, because with the loss of practice, you lose the skill of working with your body, you lose connection with yourself on the physical and emotional levels.
And, of course, your students see you as an inspiration! For them, you are where they strive. I don’t mean to show only fancy handstands and gorgeous backbends. Sometimes, emotional calm and deep wisdom are what impress the most!
Remember, you are a human being; you are not a machine! So what if you confuse left with right or knee with elbow? It's not a big deal! (knee and elbow thing—I do it even now, lol, and my students are fine with it), or maybe you forgot the asana in the sequence and missed it on the left side?! Your students come to connect with you and explore what their bodies are capable of.
So, what should you do if you actually make a mistake? - You can just apologize or make a funny joke out of it. But don't beat yourself up over it; instead, focus on what you can do better next time.
I don’t think there is an explanation needed here. Demand is always higher for those who have new, unique knowledge. Plus, your value will be reflected directly in your financial returns.
Many people are embarrassed and afraid to ask for advice or help from a more experienced teacher. Don’t be shy! Go and ask them! They are definitely more familiar with your difficulties, and for sure they faced similar situations. So, instead of racking your brains and worrying about what to do, go and ask! Most likely, you will get a fairly simple answer, and you will breathe a sigh of relief.
Very important! Especially if you conduct individual yoga sessions. Understand the needs of your students and their condition; ask before and after class how they feel so that you know what new and useful things you can bring to class next time and what needs to be corrected.
Relax and don't try to invent some “super beautiful” class unless you are ready, because this will only add unnecessary stress. One piece of advice I always give to beginners is to teach others from the perspective of your own personal practice. Over time, you will find your voice and your style. It doesn’t always come right away; it takes time. And while you are looking for this style, just teach as you would teach yourself.
I rarely cancel my classes; I must have a very good reason for canceling. And the reason “I’m not in the mood" or "I'm lazy"—these are not reasons for me. When you make a commitment to teaching, you inspire your students to make a commitment to their own practice, so they prioritize their well-being and stay dedicated to their yoga journey.
I personally send reminders of “tomorrow’s” practice to all my individual clients, so they know I am waiting for them tomorrow with something special.
“I’m not ready yet... I can’t stand on my hands yet! What should I teach?!” etc. – You could have one and a million reasons not to start your teaching practice. From my own experience, I will tell you one thing: Your growth begins outside your comfort zone. And I’m sure if you’ve read this far, you have more knowledge than you think!
If you know 1, 2, or 3 today, teach 1, 2, or 3! At some point, you will be ready to teach 4, 5, and 6! Don't wait until you master 1 to 10; that's the biggest mistake. Teach what you know today!
Don't cling to your mistakes. Remember that the mistake does not represent you! A mistake is part of the process you are currently engaged in. And if it happens that no one comes to your class today, remind yourself that it doesn’t mean you are a bad teacher; it means there is something in your business or studio that needs to be adjusted to avoid such situations in the future.
Your vision is what sets you apart from everyone else! A successful teacher has a vision for his or her classes, studio, and business. And even if you don’t have it now, you don’t need to rack your brains. Vision will come with experience, and it will change over the years, just like your practice.
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Stay Blessed! Stay Inspired!
Namaste!
Sviatlana Y.
