Teaching is an experience and a noble practice that can change many lives. No matter what you teach, doing it with confidence is the key as it instills trust in your students and allows the teacher to deliver the lessons better. The same is true for yoga teachers. It is, in fact, even trickier for new yoga instructors as they might not be sure about how to teach yoga. Many experienced practitioners agree to the fact that practicing yoga and teaching yoga are two different things. And it might be worth spending some time learning how to have your confidence high while taking yoga classes.
10 Yoga Teaching Tips for New Yoga Teachers
Here are some effective tips for new yoga teachers that will help you navigate the initial stage of your journey as a yoga instructor:
1) You are a beginner, accept it
Experience brings confidence, maturity, knowledge and a lot more. But beginners have a lot more enthusiasm, energy, the wings to fly and the sky to conquer. Before you do that, you must accept that you are a beginner and there is no harm in being so. Accepting it will calm your nerves and let you be yourself. Which is our next step.
2) Stay true to who you are, be yourself
No matter your personality, it will come out just fine unless you let it shine without the garb of wanting to please or impress. Stay true to yourself when taking a class. Take inspiration from all the teachers you must have come across in your life. Take a leaf out of their way, but don’t copy them. Give them your own twist. Being yourself may sound scary at first, but it will instill a lot of confidence in you once you get past the initial jitters.
3) Continue learning, continue practising
Yoga is one practice that continuously helps you evolve as you go deep into it. It is such a learning experience that the more you do it, the more you learn. So, continuing your own yoga practice while you start teaching is extremely important. Otherwise, your teaching will become monotonous. You must keep learning to teach others effectively.
4) Make mistakes, own them
All beginners make mistakes. So will you. So, chill and move on. Mistakes are a way to learn, and it will bode well for you if you don’t fret about making mistakes. It is all part of the process. The easier you are on yourself, the easier it will be for you to do things confidently.
5) Don’t rush your students
This has a far-reaching meaning compared to what meets the eye. Let your students get used to you before you start expecting results from them. Give them time to settle down. This implies both long-term and short-term outcomes. Give them space and let them adjust and evolve as individuals and as a group.
6) Offer more than just yoga
A class is as interesting as the teacher makes it. Your learners will appreciate it if you offer something more than just doing the asanas. Discuss the philosophy of yoga, its origins, the wisdom attached to it, how it’s a way of life and more. This will give them a chance to engage, learn and enjoy.
7) Keep your class itinerary slim
It is always better to give the learners a little bit of extra time to relax and absorb all that they have learnt during a class. It is, thus, important that you don’t stuff your class with too many routines. However, be prepared if you happen to finish your original flow of the class early – like asking them to do meditation, etc.
8) Plan theme-based classes
This is one great way of making your class interesting. Choose a theme that resonates with everyone and then plan the yoga routine based on that. It could be anything from mythology, philosophical concepts, seasons, elements of the Earth, celestial bodies, etc.
9) Set clear goals
Setting clear goals – long-term and short-term – is very important to reach somewhere. It is always motivating when you have a goal to achieve. Give your students something that they can work towards. They might want to then invest more time or practice more based on what they decide to do. It will keep them motivated.
10) Lead by example
Yoga is not just about physical fitness. It is a way of life. As a teacher, you must practice what you teach. Be compassionate, mindful, balanced and understanding. This is what yoga is all about. Once you show your students how yoga can impact them beyond the physical, they will feel more connected to their practice and you as a teacher.
Challenges That May Arise During Your First Yoga Teaching Class
No start is easy. Neither will be your journey as a yoga teacher. There will surely be challenges, and you must be prepared to face and tackle them. Knowing what challenges you may face will help you deal with them better. Here’s what to expect:
Different students, different needs
Each student will have a diverse learning curve, and you must adjust to it quickly so that they don’t feel the pressure right in the beginning.
Nervousness
Of course, this is the most common thing that you will face during your first class. But remember, you are in the teacher’s position for a reason – that is – you know it better than others.
Communication
Conveying your message to different people without confusing them can be tough. However, keep things simple. Say what it is. Slowly, things will fall into place.
Answering
Students may ask you just about anything about yoga, and you may not always know the answer. Accept if you don’t know. Tell them you will find out and inform them. Never lie.
Being calm and composed
Keeping your cool even when there is chaos in the class is tricky. Be calm and composed even when things seem out of control. They will eventually fall in place.
Things We Have Learned During Our 14 Years of Teaching Experience
In our 14 years of yoga teacher training experience, the one thing that we have understood is that taking your first yoga class is a tough challenge. There are nerves, there is uncertainty. However, as things go by, they start getting better. The only thing you need to concentrate on is to be composed and compassionate and carry a balanced approach towards teaching. New beginnings are nervy, but they are equally exciting. If you concentrate on the exciting bit, you will be able to handle the situation properly and ace your first class.
Step-by-Step Guide to Teaching Your First Yoga Class
Once you are ready to begin your yoga teacher journey, the first class will always remain your biggest hurdle. Follow these steps to ensure it goes smoothly:
Plan and prepare:
There is no better way to ace your game than to be well-planned and prepared. So, plan how you will go about it, and you will have no issues.
Keep things simple:
Begin with the simple asanas and keep the pace of the class slow. This will allow you and your students to settle down.
Be pleasant:
Keep a smiling face and try to wear a pleasant persona. This is a perfect way to start things.
Compliment your students:
Remember that new learners will also be anxious about starting a new chapter in their lives. So, give plenty of compliments. It will boost their confidence, and they will get comfortable with you.
Respect individuality:
It’s never one size fits all when it comes to yoga. So, respect individuals and let them adjust to things at their own pace.
Conclusion
If you are about to take your first yoga class, it means you have already completed your teacher training and have gained enough experience and expertise to be a teacher. So, trust your process and be self-confident. You will learn a lot of things as you go by teaching your students. Be open to mistakes and learn new things, and you will be the best version of yourself.
If you wish to learn more, Yoga New Vision is the perfect place to start your yoga teacher training journey. Explore yoga like never before with us.
