10 Things I Learned As A New Yoga Teacher
1) Its just the beginning
In today’s age in the yoga world many yogis are going from students to teachers. The training required to become a certified yoga instructor is 200 hours of a hands on learning environment. Programs can consist of intensive monthlong retreat experiences, like mine this past year, which can be great for teachers who are looking for a full on experience. Other programs can space out one to two years on a series of weekends to accommodate a work schedule. Whatever you decide to choose understand that your 200 hour program will just scratch the surface of what you will learn in your yoga teaching career. It’s fair to say that it takes way more than just 200 hours to learn about a practice that has been around for nearly thousands of years. Your 200 hour will be a huge guide filled with much important information you will need as a teacher; however, understand it does not end there. You will always be a student, even when you are the teacher.
2) Practice with as many teachers
I have this discussion with yogis often about the difference in your teaching style when you learn with one teacher (Guru) for an extended amount of time, opposed to multiple different teachers on a regular routine. Obviously they both have their pros. In Indian tradition your guru (sanskirt for teacher) was someone you spent much time with, learning more than just the yoga-asans, you learned about devotion, philosophy, meditation and everything that comes under the ancient practice of yoga.
I’ve had the fortune to practice with some of the most amazing teachers since I began my yoga practice nearly 3 years ago. Teachers like Tao-Porchon-Lynch who has spent 70 years of her life teaching yoga, not to mention has one of the most amazing life stories. Teachers that teach me outside of the asana as well and guide me to become a yoga teacher myself like Ashley Bell one of Charleston’s well known yoga teachers and the amazing senior teachers at Mission Yoga. I enjoy taking classes with many different teachers, as a teacher you pick up many little details when you practice with someone new. For senior teachers and brand new teachers alike, I believe its very important to constantly learn and take something new away with you.
3) Teach to beginners
Teach to who shows up on the mat that day! Advanced practitioners, beginners, everyone. As a new teacher who is now leading classes, try to find people who are brand new to yoga, as they find their journey on the mat. There is something very special about a new teacher and new student together in the yoga practice; that begins to show visually in a yoga flow. Teaching to beginners also forces you to learn how to give good cues to transition into and out of poses in the practice.
4) Network
No matter what industry one goes into, networking is a vital source to how your business grows. And yes, as a new teacher think of your brand as a business. Whether you are into yoga full-time or part-time let people know that you teach, you’d be surprised how many people are looking to try yoga for the first time and would be willing to give it a try at your class. Post your schedule online to all your Social Media accounts, let everyone know where they can find you. In today’s technology world, its important to network and be social out in the world but also in the digital world as well.
5) Don’t get discouraged
You can just about ask any local yoga teacher how difficult it may have been for them as a teacher when they started out. We did not become teachers of yoga for the big money, and fancy cars (although it could be true). We become teachers because we wanted to make a big difference, and you certainly can, it just may be extremely difficult at first. Since so many students are becoming teachers it can seem like no studios around your area are hiring. Even when you do get on a sub list or take on a few classes a week, it can still feel like paying bills each month is a struggle and you are nowhere near where you want to be in your career. It most definitely can be discouraging and difficult at first. Just like your journey on the mat with asanas, your journey teaching takes time. If you look at the amount of yoga studios that have opened in the past five years the numbers are staggering and just know it will keep climbing that way. Yoga today is a $27 Billion industry, and you will find your place in it with time and an incredible amount of hard work. Most important is to stay positive and calm, especially around your students, and no matter where you find your self in each moment of this journey remember “Santosa – Contentment.” Being grateful for what you have and not have in each moment.
6) Go back to the books (Philosophy/ Yoga Sutras/ Jnana yoga)
The day after my teacher training in Dharmashala, I went to local post office to ship home a stack of books I had collected. Books I used during teacher training like ‘Yoga Sutras‘ along with a few I had purchased along my travels. These books are always close by when I take time to practice ‘Jyana Yoga’ or The Yoga of ‘true knowledge.’ There are 2 types of self study (Swadhyaya) that I learned at teacher training that are part of the 8 limbs, by introspection and through books. In introspection you have the inherent wisdom that comes from self reflection, and with books teachers can acquire greater knowledge which will in turn inspire and better their practice as well as their teaching style, and thus the practice of their students. Continue the practice of strenuous mental discipline and virtue and study the scriptures. Attain true knowledge by being able to see the difference between reality and illusion of the material world and possess enough intelligence to see the world as it truly is.
7) Get Unique With Marketing
Yoga in the west today is not nearly the way it has been in the east for centuries. It’s totally different, but it’s still yoga. As a teacher its ok to go with the trends of where yoga is leading all the people on their mats, as long as they make it on their mats. Since moving to Charleston, SC I have been a part of some very unique yoga classes such as Beth Cosi’s ‘Bendy Brewski Yoga.’ These Yoga classes are hosted at local breweries followed by beer tasting for all the students. Pairing yoga and beer seems totally odd at first since beer usually doesn’t fit into the new age ideals of yoga. But when you think about the root word of Yoga, “union,” the Bendy Brewski classes are great way to meet other yogis, enjoy some delicious Holy City Brew, relax and get to Samadhi.
8) Look outside of the Yoga Industry (Isolation Tanks/Cycling/Kettle bells)
A lot of yoga classes in the west are paired off with other health/fitness center or wellness groups. Its important to get involved with all other areas under fitness and wellness. Yoga has great benefits physically and mentally, but its important for the body to experience other areas of fitness as well. Take a few spinning classes, join a run club or try other group fitness classes. The more certifications you have the more valuable your services are. Aside from fitness, take a look around at centers that offer wellness services like floating tanks. My experience with floating started at glow spa here in Charleston, SC, and with a quick google search one can see the numerous floating centers that are opening each day in the country. Floating is a fantastic way to totally relax the body and find a way to withdraw all your senses (Pratyahara).
9) Meditation/Pranayama (8 Limbs Of Yoga) Yamas/ Niyamas Satya: truthfulness
After learning about Pratanjali’s ‘Eight Limbs Of Ashtanga Yoga,’ try to practice each one, and begin to bring them into your daily lives. Even when running a business practice the Yama’s like ‘Satya’ (truthfulness) by making sure you will be truthful in your speech with clients or students, and of course ‘Ahimsa’ (non-violence) and ‘Asteya’ (not stealing from people you do business with). As mentioned before, Santosha and Swadhyaya are important to the growth of you as a teacher and your business. Follow the Niyamas like ‘Shoucha’ (cleanliness) by making sure you are clean externally, internally, mentally and spiritually. ‘Asana’ the physical form is just a small part of the yoga practice.
10) Come prepared but open for anything to happen
If its your first class or five-hundredth, you always want to make sure you are ready and prepared to do your job. With that being said, as a new teacher get comfortable to allow some space for intuition. We tend to look at this practice of yoga all outwards with specific bodily postures. Yoga has and forever will be inwards. Look within yourselves and teach from your core center. It always sounds so simple, but be your self, and bring the real you to each and every class. Be willing to take some leaps of faith, as you learn how to convey the language of yoga in a way that is relative and meaningful.
– Joe Vinciguerra