Challenges of Teaching Yoga
Teaching yoga can be one of the most rewarding journeys. After leaving the education profession, after 23 years, I had an idea of what path I would be taking, but I had to learn that whether a classroom teacher or a yoga teacher each has it own challenges. Imagine a class of 30 with varying learning styles, varying educational plans, personal stories that at times made learning very difficult. Imagine too a yoga class with 12 people some new to yoga and some advanced, some with physical concerns, and some with personal stories that made practicing very difficult.
YogaU, an "online yoga education for every body," website put together a very relevant survey on the challenges that many yoga teachers face. I found, as I listened to the podcast results, that I could relate to so much of what the presenter was stating. "What Does It Take To Become A Successful Yoga Teacher?"
Challenge I: Limitations of Yoga teaching methodology
Mixed level classes: master modifications (have a good knowledge
base)
Beginners: see below
Older students: variety of body shapes & health concerns
Beginners, as well as older students often have less experience and a lack of body awareness. Teachers need to bridge the gap.
- Build from a base: Start with the feet. Teach them to scan their bodies and use their breath.
- Help them “get into their bodies,” to use RIght & Left comparisons, by doing Before & After comparisons, by using visualizations.
- Often beginners have limited flexibility;with a limited range of motion and misalignment in the postures. Teach them about their “Kinetic Chain” A kinetic chain is the notion that these joints and segments have an effect on one another during movement. When one is in motion, it creates a chain of events that affects the movement of neighboring joints and segments. (healthline.com) The body will begin to compensate (know the compensations)
- In addition often we see a lack of strength. Build strength from the inside out with core work focusing on stability by highlighting the “workhorse muscles.” Prepare the joints based on their function. Allow the beginner time to reset and assimilate what you have taught them.
- Beginners may struggle with committing themselves to come regularly; one class may decide their future in yoga.
- Lastly, beginners may have a lack of vision; wondering “what does yoga have to offer for me?”
Challenge 2: Student Perceptions vs Teacher Perceptions
Instagram Syndrome (high level poses beautiful scenery).
Mismatched expectations "beginning class means beginning
class"
Creating a Yogic Culture in an Un-Yogic World (yoga is not a
"workout")
Challenge 3: Anatomy & Safety
Know the limitations of your students. Teacher Trainings often do not prepare
students for the variety of bodies
Anatomy training is insufficient in most Trainings.
***Russian Doll Sequencing
- Start from small challenges & work to larger ones (later)
- 80/20 rule: students should be able to do 80%
- Watch phrases like “beginners’ option” avoid ‘beginner’ terminology
- Demonstrate with props
- Teaching by awareness
Challenge 4: Finding a good place to teach
Gym vs Studio
A true "yogic" environment
Studio hires their own students trained under their teacher
trainings. ( I can attest to this one. A I have struggled to find
teaching opportunities because I was not trained under their
studio)
Challenge 5: Business of Yoga
Marketing/Student Retention
Attracting & keeping new students
Bringing yoga to people
Expectations of teachers to use social media
Pay
Payments questionable
Undervalued because, in some areas, there is a surplus of
teachers
Teacher burnout/ balance private life & teaching
Studio climate
Hourly wages & competition among teachers
inexperienced and unprofessional teachers hurt studio
Lack of support
QUESTIONS TO THINK ABOUT
How to get the student to come back?
How can Yoga be of “Service?”
What are the practices they don’t realize they need yet?
How can I bring them “home to themselves?”
Who owns this class?
