Tools and Tips for Teaching Yoga: A Beginner’s Guide

As a yoga teacher, stepping into the world of teaching can feel both exciting and challenging.

Here are some practical tools and advice that I have learned throughout my process and that I wish someone would have shared with me when I was starting to teach:

1.Plan Your Class Ahead:

Take time to organize your sessions, focusing on specific themes rather than random poses. When I was starting to teach I personally found it helpful to either try the class before teaching or plan it while doing my practice to make sure they were coherent and the timing was right.

2. Learn Yoga Vocabulary and Cues:

Familiarize yourself with yoga language and effective cues to guide your students smoothly. Pick the most important cues when guiding your students instead of overwhelming them with too much information.

3. Practice Teaching with People you Know:

Start by teaching friends and family to gain confidence and refine your teaching style. Ask them for feedback and advice.

4. Attend Different Yoga Classes:

Learn from various teachers and styles to broaden your understanding and incorporate diverse elements into your classes. Attending classes instead of JUST doing your own practice can really nurture your process as a student and teacher.

5. Effective Communication:

Establish clear communication with your students, especially in private sessions. Understand their needs, goals, and any specific requirements. Encourage them to tell you how they feel before, during and after the practice.

6. Define Your Teaching Intentions:

Clearly understand what you want to offer your students physically, spiritually, and energetically. Tailor your classes accordingly, to align with these intentions.

7. Continue Learning:

Stay open to learning, beyond your initial training. It’s an endless journey, and there will always be room for more knowledge and opportunities to grow. Throughout my process I've chosen to try different styles and lineages, learn from different teachers and explore different approaches to the practice, which has helped me build my own style and believes.

8. Empathy for Your Students:

Recognize that many students may feel lost or intimidated. Create a welcoming environment to ease their fears. It's important to always remind them to focus and connect with themselves and their own practice.

9. Confidence and Self-Trust:

When you trust in your knowledge, you will feel confident when teaching. Believe in your ability to guide others, but be patient with yourself. Self-trust and confidence will be built overtime.

10. Embrace Mistakes and Learn From Them:

Mistakes are part of the journey. Embrace them, learn from each experience, and avoid being too hard on yourself. Be aware of self-criticism, making sure you're not pushing yourself down and you're also giving yourself credit for how well you're doing.

11. Preparation and Mindset:

Take a few moments before class to center yourself. Although it's impossible to always be in the perfect mood when teaching a class, taking a few moments to reconnect and be present is always helpful. Even if you just take a few conscious, deep breaths before entering the class.

12. Encourage Feedback:

Promote an environment where students feel comfortable providing feedback. It's a valuable tool for your growth as a teacher. You can always ask your student at the end of the class how they feel and to let you know if they have any comments or questions.

Teaching yoga is a continuous learning process. Embrace the journey, trust in yourself, and let each class shape you into the unique teacher you aspire to be. Remember, your passion and dedication will resonate with the right students.