If there is any one thing holding you back from teaching yoga, it might be fear. Keep reading to conquer your fear of teaching with these simple steps.
You’ve heard the quote by Franklin D. Roosevelt: “the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself” and there is much truth to this.
What is Fear?
Verywellmind.com defines fear as a “…primal emotion that is a biochemical response and a high individual emotional response which alerts us to the presence of danger…” “Sometimes fear stems from real threats, but it can also originate from imagined dangers.”
While fear can protect us from danger, both the physiological response (fight-flight-freeze) and the emotion of fear can paralyze us. Fear can keep us from trying.
But failure is a part of life and the only people who never fail are those who never try. In that sense, they are still failing.
Getting Past Fear
Brené Brown’s book Daring Greatly begins with a passage from Roosevelt’s speech “The Man in the Arena,” which in part, sums up everything that has to do with allowing fear to hold us back.
“Who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly…”
In her intro, Brown continues: “When we spend our lives waiting until we’re perfect or bulletproof before we walk into the arena, we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable, we squander our precious time, and we turn our backs on our gifts, those unique contributions that only we can make.“
So how do we keep fear from controlling our lives – and keeping us from pursuing our passion – in this case, sharing and teaching yoga?
Keep reading and follow these steps to overcome this fear:
Define Your Purpose
Why did you decide to become a yoga teacher? Think back to that first thought when you considered teaching yoga. What drove you to make the decision to take teacher training? What was your intention?
If you had a mentor or role model, could you see yourself in their shoes? In the best-case scenario, how do you envision yourself in this role? Are you successful? Do you have a full class and a great following of students? Notice how it feels to have achieved that goal!
This Tony Robbins article on How to Overcome Fear, says to surround yourself with success. “Proximity is power.” “Whatever you hold in your mind on a consistent basis is exactly what you will experience in your life.”
Acknowledge the Fear
That’s right, acknowledge it! Face that fear head on! Write it down in your journal (or somewhere else). Look deep inside to see what it is that you’re afraid of. Write down all your worst fears about teaching.
- Forgetting the sequence?
- Your voice cracking?
- Poor cueing?
- Students judging you?
- Students not returning to class?
Take a moment to think about the source of the fear. Did you have a bad experience? Did you witness someone else having a bad experience? In other words, is it a learned emotional response? Finally, ask yourself if the fear is proportionate to the threat.
What if Your Fears Come True?
What is the worst-case scenario? What would happen if what you’re afraid of actually came true? Would you die? No. Would you be embarrassed? Maybe – for a short time. Would you recover? Yes! The reality is all these outcomes would be temporary. They would be a learning experience. They would help you grow and do better!
A Psychology Today article about fear discusses treatment which involves exposure therapy, where the individual is guided to gradually engage in the source of their phobia in a safe environment. This type of treatment can foster confidence when they realize their fears are in fact disproportionate and unrealistic to the situation.
What Price are You Paying by Letting Fear Rule You?
Now, think about what happens if you do nothing. If you hold back and stay in that place of safety. Let’s go back to the Brené Brown book intro. “…we ultimately sacrifice relationships and opportunities that may not be recoverable, we squander our precious time, and we turn our backs on our gifts, those unique contributions that only we can make.”
This, my friend, is exactly what happens. Our time here is limited. Are you really okay with sacrificing relationships, opportunities, and your unique contributions?
Let Go of Perfectionism
As a yogi, I don’t need to tell you about accepting yourself as you are. Yoga philosophy is all about Ahimsa (the first of the Yamas – doing no harm), and loving-kindness towards ourselves (and others). It’s time to put this into practice. If you’re waiting for the perfect time, the perfect you, the truth is, that time will not come.
Come as You Are
Accept your vulnerability. This means having the courage to show up, authentically, as you are. To take that first step and put yourself out there, despite your fears. It is indeed the only way to achieve your intention, your purpose. It is that first step that will give you confidence to take the next one.
Guide yourself, slowly, and with loving-kindness and care. Remember to breathe deeply through any negative thoughts or feelings.
Think of this as exposure therapy as mentioned in the Psychology Today article. Start small, in a controlled environment. Perhaps with people you are more comfortable with, like a small group of family and friends.
Once you realize the perceived threat is not as great as your fear response, it’s time to take the next step, and the next, and the next.
Don’t turn your back on sharing your unique gifts. You are worth it. Your students are waiting!
Read these related posts:
7 Strategies to Becoming an Authentic Yoga Teacher
Bridging the Gap – From Yoga Teacher Training to Teaching Yoga Confidently
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