Things I don't do as a yoga teacher

I’ve been teaching yoga for the past 5 years. Here are a few things I don’t do, or will no longer do now that I know better!

Compare myself with other yoga teachers

I used to do this a lot when I first started teaching. I couldn’t attend a single yoga class without shaming myself for not coming up with flows as creative as the yoga teacher leading the class, and I’d wonder if I should be more like them. I pressured myself to be a different kind of teacher than I really was, deep down.

I now know that each yoga teacher has their own voice that makes their classes special! I’m only doing myself a disservice by comparing myself to anyone else. They’re allowed to shine in their own way, and so am I.

I am now much more confident in my own unique voice. If I like what someone else is doing, I celebrate them. I continue to stay true to myself while deriving lessons where I can. It’s important to keep learning, after all. But we can do that without putting ourselves down or getting caught in a competitive mindset.

I choose to be inspired by others rather than intimidated by them. There really is space for each of us to offer our own special mix of ingredients.

Plus, when I’m practicing yoga, it should really just be about the practice, and not about whatever mental chatter is going on. So there’s a reminder on that, as well!

Teach classes that don’t align with my voice

I only teach classes that align with my teaching voice, and at studios that are aligned with my values.

Early on in my teaching career, I used to sometimes feel “less than” as a yoga teacher for not resonating with power flows, for example. I often taught hatha flow or beginner’s yoga classes, but I was also eager to take on more styles in fear that I wouldn’t book enough classes.

I found my most honest and real teaching voice in yin yoga. Now I know that I’m much more aligned with teaching yin and perhaps mindful hatha yoga here and there. I stick to that and honor my own voice. And I’m so much happier for it! In truth, I’ve been waiting a long time to fully embrace that. I find that I’m blossoming now that I’ve been clear about what I offer, and I’m attracting positions and clients that are really aligned with that.

I also do not apply for positions at yoga studios that I don’t feel aligned with, no matter how popular they may be, and stick to spaces that I feel have a philosophy and mission that reflect my own.

Film or take pictures of students during class

This will sadly be a very controversial one. While I understand the importance of marketing your services, I disagree with filming or taking pictures of students during class. Even when it’s done with their consent (which it often isn’t), I find that it reinforces the idea, on some level at least, that yoga is a kind of performance. Students may not know better when attending classes, but it’s our job as yoga teachers to respect the integrity of a class.

I believe that privacy and intimacy are number one, and that especially during a class, students need to have their own quiet and private space. I also have found that a lot of students approach classes with an achievement-oriented mindset. While that is not wrong, and they’re free to approach the practice in their own way, as yoga teachers we need to do what we can to help bring students’ attention more and more inward, and release any pressure to perform for themselves or even for us.

Social media has distorted some of what yoga is, in my opinion. It’s also distracting for a yoga teacher to walk around and film while instructing students at the same time.

There are many other ways to market our services, including perhaps taking a group photo after a class or workshop. Perhaps a lot of people will think that my opinion is outdated, and that’s okay! We’re not all meant to agree on everything. I’m just sharing what works for me!

Play music with lyrics

I’ve stopped playing music with lyrics during class, particularly music that is trendy or cool to flow to. I prefer vibrational sounds.

I understand that for a lot of people who come to class, complete silence can be jarring and may have the opposite effect than we are intending. To come into a completely silent space after a hectic day can actually be more distracting or even upsetting for some.

On the other hand, playing music can often disrupt our focus, particularly if there are lyrics that may bring up a certain memory or feeling. Yoga is a place where we can disconnect from the noise we are so often surrounded with. Vibrational, healing music is what feels best for my classes and services.

So there’s the little list of things that I don’t do as a yoga teacher. None of this is to say that the way I do things is the “right” way or the only way. These things can of course change with time, or may be completely different for another yoga teacher. And that’s okay. I can only imagine what I will learn as I continue to progress in my career. I’m continuing to evolve away from a focus on yoga asana, anyway, and I’m curious to see where the path will lead. I didn’t expect to end up where I am now, but by aligning with my own true voice, I love where I’m headed.

What about you? Are you a yoga teacher? What’s your opinion on what I shared? I’d love to hear it. <3