G'day, I am halfway through my yoga course and am being nagged to begin teaching yoga already, now I have a place to set up and 10 yoga mats to begin with but I am just quite nervous about teaching my first yoga class and what other tools do I REALLY NEED before I begin teaching and also what tips do you have for my first yoga class? I do know the people that I will be teaching...I really don't want to mess up.
Yoga Teacher Training Forum » Yoga Teacher Training Forum (issues, concerns and questions for teachers) » New Teacher Questions
Teaching my very first Yoga class!!!
(9 posts) (9 voices)-
Posted 3 years ago #
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Namaskar Aussie Girl,
Everyone is nervous before teaching their first yoga class. One thing you have. You know the students. Treat them like your friends and show them compassion. After each class, take some notes when you are alone. Write down what you like and what you don't.
Review your lesson plan and polish it before each class. It will change over time. Teaching yoga is an ongoing education. Learn from each experience, be safe, and have fun!
Peace,
HarmonyPosted 3 years ago # -
Hi There,
I remember how nervous I was about my first class. I am sure this is the norm for most new instructors. I agree with what Harmony said - also, remember not to take yourself too seriously. If you make a mistake, just move on and smile about it.
Most of my students were relieved to know that I was not "perfect". We are all learning something new on a daily basis. This is the beginning of a wonderful journey that both you and your students are on together - try to relax and enjoy the moment.
Namaste,
JeannéPosted 3 years ago # -
Hi Ausie Girl,
Nobody has nerves of steel or ice water running through their veins. We all learn and we get better as time goes on. The fact that you really care can only make you better.
PeacePosted 3 years ago # -
Write down a lesson plan. Write it again and again to embed it into your mind. Practice with your sequence a few times the night before. If you use music select it and pack it. Clean your clothes and yoga mat and have everything ready. Being prepared will take away some of the nervousness. Open your first yoga class with a meditation. It gives you time to control your breath and focus your mind. Don't make students aware that you are new to teaching yoga, make mistakes, or are nervous. Students come to class to get rid of stress - not to think about our problems as teachers.Posted 3 years ago #
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One point: If you took the aura written test, the last question teaches you how to build your own customized yoga class lesson plan. You can't forget what you create.Posted 3 years ago #
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Namaskar,
Just a side issue for newly certified yoga teachers: You're going to be nervous and you might make some mistakes. So What? We all did, but we learned and we improved as time went by. Each time you teach a yoga class is a new experience. And you can write notes down after class to improve your method.
What not to do - Act like an eager to please yoga puppy and beg your students for criticism. The reason: One student will hack you to shreds and try to break you in two. Sounds cynical right? Seriously, I know a new teacher who would beg for feedback and one of her students gave her enough criticism to last a life time.
She almost quit teaching yoga all together until she saw reality. Some people hate smiling and laughing. And some people want to find a weakness to crush you with. They love tormenting saintly people who want to please everybody. If this were not so Jesus would have lived to a ripe old age.
ShantiPosted 3 years ago # -
My first class ended up being my final exam so yeah...I was nervous. The second class was much easier. I think it will be great to have that DVD from the final to look back on in even 6 months from now to see some progress.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Hi Kerry,
The camera is a great tool for teaching yoga classes. If we record ourselves every few months we have an accurate picture of how our students see us. A fresh look at how I was teaching made me realize that as Paul would say, "I sat on my mat too much." I wanted to kick myself for not getting up and helping students.
Posted 1 year ago #
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