I never thought I’d be a yoga teacher.
A loud, motivating Bootcamp instructor? Sure! Super on-the-beat spin instructor with a cheesy playlist? Yes! But teaching yoga? Nope, didn’t think it would ever be for me. You’ve probably realized this by now but I’m not very zen. Nor am I very bendy.
But a little over 5 years ago I decided to do my yoga teacher training. I had just lost my job in marketing at a start-up and was at a bit of a crossroads in my life. It seemed like the perfect time to dive into self-exploration and yoga teacher training.
Shortly after finishing my teacher training, I hosted a yoga and dinner event with my friend Leslie. Hosting that little event launched my career as a yoga teacher and now I’ve taught more classes than I can count (it must be in the 1000’s now?!) and am so grateful to get to do this as part of my job.
Here are some things I’ve learned along the way:
Tips For New Yoga Teachers
Start before you’re ready.
A common mistake I see with teachers fresh out of yoga teacher training is waiting until they feel *ready* to teach their first yoga class.
The truth is, you’ll probably never feel ready. Hell, there are days I still don’t feel ready. I am glad I ripped the bandaid off ASAP and started teaching right away to small groups of friends. This allowed me to start honing my skills and get practice early on.
Those first classes will feel awkward. You’ll mess up. But you’ll only continue to learn and grow. Just start.
Don’t be afraid to create your own opportunities.
The thing that totally transformed my career as a yoga teacher was creating my own opportunities.
As I mentioned above, immediately after finishing yoga teacher training I started hosting yoga and dinner events with my friend. This allowed me to get really comfortable teaching yoga classes before I even considered auditioning at a studio.
By the time I started auditioning to teach yoga at a studio, I felt confident and comfortable teaching. Even though I didn’t immediately get hired everywhere I auditioned, I was able to continue to practice which eventually led to me get hired by a studio.
Now more than ever there is an amazing opportunity to teach your own classes digitally, be it on Instagram, Zoom, or some other platform. If you’re looking to get practice as a new teacher, don’t wait for someone else to give you the opportunity. Find ways to make your own opportunities.
You’re not for everyone
As a yoga teacher, I’m loud. I sometimes say ridiculous things. And when I’m teaching my own classes I love to play cheesy music. I am not the yoga teacher for everyone. And that’s OKAY.
You gotta find your own special sauce that makes you unique as a teacher and then OWN IT. You don’t have to cater to everyone.
You don’t have to be flexible or able to do crow or headstand or wheel to be a successful yoga teacher.
When I first started teaching yoga, I was super self-conscious about my own yoga practice. I’m not very flexible and I don’t do fancy party tricks or inversions. How could I call myself a yoga teacher!?
I soon realized though that these things I thought were going to be hinderances to my teaching ability were actually a gift. My lack of flexibility meant I understood what that’s like for others with similar struggles. My own issues with mobility and movement allow me to break down poses in a way that’s accessible to more people. The fact that I’m not a very zen human just makes me related. I teach in New York after all 😂
There are still days I feel self-conscious about my own practice. But I’ve come to realize that these things to not define my ability as a yoga teacher.
Save to Pinterest for Later:
PHOTO CREDIT: Michael Vincent Parks
