It’s difficult to be a novice at anything. People often forget this is how everyone begins. It’s no different for a yoga teacher. You have to learn how to be comfortable with discomfort and keep going as you improve your skills. Keep reading if you are just beginning as a yoga teacher. Here are the top tips for new yoga teachers!
You know what you’re doing. There are some pieces of knowledge, insight and advice that you will only gain with experience. We have compiled a short list of nine tips to help you get started as a yoga teacher.
#1. Be Authentic
Finding your yoga teaching niche and who you are can take time. Keep pursuing it and work to improve the things that set you apart. Your skills and training in yoga give you a unique set of perspectives and experiences. You will discover and develop your own style as you remain true to yourself. Your community of yogis is sure to find you.
#2. No one is perfect.
Humanity is not without mistakes and failures! Even experienced yoga instructors can make mistakes. As you learn to improve your yoga and teaching, give yourself permission to make mistakes and grow. Allow yourself to make mistakes, learn from them, and then keep going.
#3. Find ways to build your confidence
It can be difficult to prepare for your first class as a new yoga teacher. You need to develop your confidence. You can do a number of things to help you feel more confident during your first few yoga classes.
Ask your friends and family to provide feedback on the yoga classes you teach.
Recording yourself while you practice yoga will help you to assess how your body and voice sounds.
Speak confidently and clearly. Even if you are nervous, you can still speak confidently.
You can shadow or co-instruct another yoga teacher to get you started in the studio.
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#4. You Can Flow With the Energy of The Class
There are many different styles of yoga. You may need to use different energy levels. Even the same yoga style with different yoga students can affect the energy of the room! You can read the energy in the room by observing the students. Was their energy high, low, or exhausted? You can support or influence the class’s energy by aligning with it. You may need to alter the order of your yoga poses, change your volume, pitch and tone, or modify your verbiage.
#5.
In any field, it’s important to keep learning and improving your craft. Ask questions, attend yoga classes or workshops taught by other instructors, enroll in a yoga training program, and read to stay up-to-date with the latest information. You can learn so much about your body, yoga and nutrition as you advance in your career. As you expand your mind, you’ll gain confidence, continue to grow and create more value for students.
#6.
Yoga teachers must constantly work on their alignment, breathing, and mindset. As with all fitness professionals, it is important to look after yourself holistically while you support and guide your yoga students through their fitness and health journey. In addition to showing up consistently for your yoga practice, sleep, nutrition, thoughts and boundaries are important.
#7. Be flexible (no pun intended)
There will be many different types of yoga students with different goals and levels of skill. Yoga instructors must be able to modify sequences and postures according to their client’s needs. As you guide your clients through each yoga class, be open to their different learning styles and levels of understanding.
#8. Be Prepared and Professional
It’s not enough to be flexible. You should also be prepared, organized and punctual. Be reliable, nurture genuine connections, but also maintain boundaries professionally. Yoga can be a great way to make friends and have fun, but you should also remember that this is your business.
#9
If you do not know what you’re doing, some yoga poses are dangerous. If you do not have the training or knowledge to guide someone through a specific yoga pose, you should stick to your existing skills until you are confident in how to support and cue your clients.
These tips will hopefully help you to feel more confident as you begin your yoga journey. Remember, everyone started out as a beginner. To get anywhere you must start.
