Stepping into your first yoga teacher training is exhilarating. You’re passionate, prepared, and ready to share your practice. But the journey from student to instructor is filled with unexpected lessons that no manual can fully prepare you for.
This guide is the advice I wish someone had shared with me when I first started teaching. These ten insights will help you navigate the beautiful, challenging world of yoga instruction with confidence and grace.
1. Embrace Your Unique Teaching Style
Not everyone will love your classes—and that’s perfectly okay. Be clear about your teaching approach and stay true to yourself. Your authenticity will attract the right students who resonate with your style. Your people will find you.
2. Find Comfort in Repetition
Consistency is key for both you and your students. Develop a reliable sequencing structure that you can confidently repeat. Popular yoga styles prove that set sequences can be powerful and effective.
3. Mirror or Not: Choose Your Approach
Decide on your mirroring technique and stick to it. Students are adaptable and won’t be thrown off by your consistent method.
4. Curate Your Cues Strategically
You don’t need to explain every minute detail of every pose. Select a few targeted, meaningful cues that align with your class theme and reinforce them.
5. Empower Student Choice
Give students the freedom to modify their practice. Use phrases like:
6. Embrace Flexibility in Planning
Prepare a class plan, but don’t be rigid. Remember: you’re the only one who knows the original plan. With experience, you’ll become adept at spontaneous adjustments.
7. Own Your Expertise
Combat imposter syndrome by recognising your knowledge. Most students haven’t completed yoga teacher training—you are the expert in the room.
8. Invest in a Booking System
Save time and streamline your business by implementing a professional booking system. It simplifies attendance tracking, payments, and data management.
9. Appreciate the Power of Silence
Create space for students to feel their bodies and breathe. Provide clear instructions, then step back and let the practice unfold.
10. Think Like an Entrepreneur
Your success depends on more than just teaching yoga. Build your personal brand, get comfortable with online marketing, and don’t hesitate to seek help in developing your business skills.
Pro Tip: If business aspects feel challenging, consider seeking mentorship or professional guidance to support your growth. Book a free discovery call with me to discuss how my Yoga Teacher Business Mentoring could help you. Click here for more details.
