After teaching my regulars at a health club in London, I ended the class reminding them, if they ever needed to ask me anything regarding their practice to come and approach me. I added that I may not always have the answers (you never stop learning, I’ll always be a yoga student) but at least I’d be able to point them in the right direction. Normally the class leaves with a sense of calm, floating out like little cupids but on this occasion I did have someone approach me, a student teacher.
As soon as she asked her question I could see the pain in her eyes, she began telling me that herself and her father had been exchanging strong words regarding teaching yoga. The father was strongly against his daughter going into this profession (pardon the choice of verb), believing that no yoga teacher makes money out of teaching. Which begs the question, can you make a living out of teaching something so sacred?
I know this can lead to a debate, should one seek to make money out of this beautiful art form but let’s leave that for another time and focus on the question in hand.
After my teacher training course, my fellow student teachers and I had high hopes and aspirations to move into this new and enchanting career but very few have succeeded since.
After pondering this question since I will tell you what I told my lady that night and the other ideas that I’ve had since.
1) Get real
The first thing I’d advise is to be sure that it’s teaching that you want to do. Practicing yoga, retreats, workshops and taking part in classes are very different experiences from teaching itself. It’s not dissimilar to teaching any subject to any audience. The teacher is there for the purpose of the students and their learning. For example I love travel but becoming a Geography teacher does not float my boat. Even if it did and my passion for travel was enough to hold my student’s attention in class, it doesn’t quench student’s thirst for knowledge or cover any syllabus needed to further such students.
The idea of classes with beautiful flowing sequencing, candles and soft music were all my fantasy in those early days but my reality is something different. An array of abilities and what may appear to some as very disjointed lead class. There are time I have to approach someone who appears to be doing something incredibly dangerous during the class whilst keeping the class moving and feeding their hunger for yoga. It can be very repetitive, giving the same instruction countless times during the day and not necessarily being successful in the process. What one group of individuals understands entirely another group may not understand at all. Therefore you have to take the time to think of innovative ways to get the message across to a variety of learning styles. Breaking it down and making it so very simple that sometimes it feels far removed from yoga. My instruction becomes so basic and simple that I may as well be giving instructions on cake baking. When I talk and demonstrate a move or a posture no matter how simple I now find it or how many times I’ve gotten into it, I still have to give the same enthusiasm and coaching as when I got there myself for the first time.
Let’s be realistic too, most people have never tried yoga or only have the time in their lives to practice 2-3 times per week. It may mean that you’re stuck talking about the bare necessities when you had high hopes of introducing them to Yoga’s origins, it’s history or the chakras all the juicy stuff that lights you up inside. Not everybody has great body awareness either. What you and I understand, somebody else may not and it doesn’t matter how you try to adjust them, coach them, show them, we’re dealing with years of bad habits here. (saying that don’t lose hope) It is immensely frustrating at times but also incredibly rewarding. If you’re prepared to be there for the student and not for your own gratification then your students will feel valued and rewarded by your very presence and the very essence of yoga.
2) Keep your chin up
There’ll be people during your journey that won’t understand you or your goals and fascination with yoga. You could scream it from the rooftop about yoga’s benefits, about how incredibly life changing it is but some people aren’t ready to listen plus some will think it’s just a stretch class. The people that love and care about you may try to discourage you, including people in the industry but remember it’s only because they have your best interests at heart and don’t want you to suffer. Visualise teaching busy classes, imagine what that feels like, tastes like even and keep the faith no matter how many knocks you take.
3) Confidence
After my teacher training I didn’t teach for a year and I may have never taught. It was through chance or fate if you want to call it that, a set of circumstance that made me realise that I wanted it bad. I had knock backs due to my lack of experience and confidence but after licking my wounds and feeling sorry for myself, I got up and thought this is my calling and I’ve every right to go out there and grab this shot at it. You may not be able to demonstrate all postures with perfect alignment and you know what, that’s actually ok that. It’s ok that you’re still learning yourself. What’s important is, you’re a safe teacher, there for the purpose of your students and enjoy what you do. Most importantly any struggles of your own within your practice, make you a better teacher as you’re able to relate to people that will have those very same struggles – compassion. Put yourself out there even if you think it may be a long shot at times.
4) Graft
Be prepared to graft. It will be unsociable hours, early mornings, late nights and weekends. You may be doing all of this whilst your loved ones are out enjoying the sun. You may just barely make the rent some months but hold on tight all is coming. You may not get to see loved ones but if you want it enough this is what you’re prepared to do – right?
Start networking; social networking, go to yoga centres and try other classes. Talk to as many people as possible that are already experienced and in the industry and build up contacts. Be prepared to offer freebies, trial classes, one to ones and be prepared to travel. Ok so it may be out of your way for one hour’s work but it’s all experience and that is valuable. The more you teach the more you learn and from there you grow and the more you have to give back.
5) All is coming
Lastly, keep up your own self practice and find your own niche. Before I embarked on this journey I was so busy thinking about how I’d get out there that my practice slipped. Practice what you preach. I now have to get up most days at 530am to fit my practice in but I learn so much and this is crucial for me and the people that I teach.
There’s also a world of yoga out there, it’s vast so find something that really lights your fire. Even if you think it’s not for you. I thought Astanga wasn’t for me but having tried most things (there’s more I haven’t tried) it feels like I’ve done this before and it’s my calling. I’m not saying that my body is pliable and feels as if it’s my calling but but my mind recognises the practice – I think during one of my lifetimes I was in love with Astanga and was near it. Enjoy.
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