A prevalent question as our yoga training is coming to an end has been, where to next?
What is accessible for someone still new to teaching? What is marketable? What do people want? And what might attract the biggest number of students?
It's something of a callous question, so not really asked openly, but it's nevertheless there, in between the things unsaid. How do I go to teach something that people want to learn? It's not an easy question at all, since yoga has been such a growing topic of interest, even here, in Romania. And I look for myself and realize, as with many things, we tend to assume we have to choose between a given number of options. A,B, C, D. Do I teach Yin, Vinyasa? I must pick and mould myself to one, or else learn to be a jack-of-all-trades so I can become known, attract attention, live.
It takes some doing, always, to remind oneself that there are also unwritten options. fill-in-the-blanks options. Choices that are neither A, nor D. I was talking to someone and realized there was so much I hadn't considered, that it wasn't just selling a product or a service, as some other things are. That in becoming this new thing for me, I would also be selling myself in a way.
After all, we all have preconceived notions, ideas of how a yoga teacher is supposed to look or speak or dress or act. That so much more than my "end product" (i.e. my classes) would be speaking for me and representing me.
And it invited a new idea into my perspective. Which is funny because I'm meant to be teaching a class on changing perspectives for my final exam, so that worked out well. I started thinking, well, if it's taking my whole being, if I need to integrate who I am, then it better be something I know about myself.
I enjoy certain types of yoga, but can I sincerely say I know of myself to be one with the core aspects of vinyasa, for instance? Can I really offer something that doesn't represent me? Maybe in other domains, but here, I realize I must be what I sell, and build a structure that represents me, else I'll have to keep lying, and I don't lie.
It might seem obvious to someone reading, but it didn't to me, and I think it's often the case, the first time entering a new field, we try to sort of mould ourselves to that field, to define our identity in it based on existing parameters. What kind of class can I start teaching of the ones that exist already?
But what of the ones that don't? If I don't find myself in any one thing, do I have to bend, or carve something out to my own unique rhythm?
You know I'm a carver by nature. I don't much like rigidity or trying to fit something that doesn't resonate with my soul. I felt discouraged for a second. I don't think I look like a "proper yoga teacher" and while I thought the focus was on fitting every aspect of myself to this new persona, it was hella daunting.
So then, wouldn't it just be easier to figure out who I am, what my existing core self looks like in this new light? How perhaps my disregard for rigidity invites playfulness? How the music I know exists within me doesn't need to be muted while I teach but amplified? How ultimately, my best tool will be capitalizing on my own ongoing journey and discovery, not letting it capsize my efforts.
Obviously, this can be about so much more than just yoga. So often, we try to present ourselves to the world as this finished, polished product. As though we're not really real, not still searching.
Someone told me recently they didn't like the word "searching" when used to describe the self, but I think it's lovely. I don't like borders much or living within them, and yet I hope I never leave the confines of this word.
It's a really interesting dilemma. I think it's good to go and practice under as many teachers as you can, and then think: whose instruction do I resonate with most, and why?
You also need to think about what the end goal of yoga is - to yoke mind, body, spirit - and think, well, how can I help yogis reach that goal? You are good with words, a lover of language - surely that's key for how to teach yourself.
I think you start with what you know - how you've been taught - but the longer you teach, the more you find your own authentic voice. One of my favourite yoga teachers has very invitational language informed by trauma, which I really love. Peppered with 'perhaps', 'maybe' and options, it allows me to feel more free within the class - I can find my own rhythm rather than being forced into someone elses. The concept of 'you breath, you are a yogi' is a good reminder - it doesn't matter what the FUCK you look like or what your body can do AT ALL. I know a lot of yogis appreciate an older teacher, or a fatter teacher, or whatever, a body that is real and authentic is often much better than the wanker wearing the right gear and spouting platitudes. There's nothing that gets my internal clip board out more than people talking absolute bollocks in a yoga class in a 'i'm a guru' kinda way.
Yin would be harder to teach, imo - you need to talk less especially in the later part of the class when minds are slowing down after your initital instruction. You can't teach the whole of yoga in a hour long class - so what is your theme or focus? Keeping it simple and minimal is better.
I haven't listened to this but I really admire Jo and what she's done for the yoga world here. She's also an ex English teacher - the way she uses language is just inspiring.
In a nutshell, carve your own rhythm babe. At first it will be someone elses, but you'll find your own authority.
I'd start with promoting GR's favorite position; it's gonna be huge soon!
If you were Czech, I would also suggest alco-yoga lessons, the market is still far from saturation, and people might actually come for a drink and stay for some extra stretching. Or vice versa, come to stretch and stay for drinks :)
i must say i see potential in this one :D
Yep, @honeydue should open special classes for (special) people like us ;))
This spoke straight to my soul. Your reflections are such a beautiful reminder that we don't have to shrink or shape ourselves to fit into pre-cut boxes. The idea of carving your own path instead of bending into someone else's mold is empowering, and honestly, necessary, not just the yoga but also in life. Your journey, raw and evolving, is the exact kind of authenticity that draws people in.
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