Starting a career as a yoga teacher can be both exciting and overwhelming. After completing your training, you might find yourself filled with enthusiasm to share yoga with others, but at the same time, you may have questions and uncertainties about how to navigate the challenges of the profession. One of the most effective ways to move through this phase is by working with a coach. A coach, especially one who specializes in guiding new yoga teachers, can provide invaluable support and mentorship as you find your feet in the teaching world.
In this blog post, we will explore what a coach can do for you as a new yoga teacher and how working with one can pave the path toward long-term success.
1. Providing Clarity and Confidence
When you’re just starting out, there’s a lot to figure out. Should you teach in a studio, a gym, or offer private lessons? How do you approach a potential employer and what type of offering should you propose? A coach helps bring clarity to these areas by helping you define your goals and aspirations as a teacher. They can guide you in exploring your unique teaching style, helping you align your passion with your goals.
Through one-on-one sessions, a coach will work with you to identify your strengths and areas for growth. By reflecting on your values, interests, and long-term vision, they can help you make decisions and build confidence. This support boosts your self-esteem, enabling you to trust your abilities as a yoga teacher and navigate your early career with a clear sense of purpose.
2. Setting Realistic Goals and Milestones
When starting out as a yoga teacher, it can feel like there is a mountain of tasks ahead of you—learning how to plan, sequence, and theme classes, and how to gain experience to become comfortable teaching to a group.
Rather than letting you get overwhelmed by the magnitude of your new role, a coach can break down your bigger goals into manageable steps. These milestones could include improving your class structure and gaining experience by teaching different types of classes to various populations of students. Each milestone you achieve will bring you closer to your larger vision, and with a coach’s support, you can track your progress and stay motivated.
3. Offering Constructive Feedback and Accountability
As a new yoga teacher, you may have moments where you’re unsure of how well you’re teaching, whether you’re giving accurate cues, or how your students are responding. It can be hard to assess your own teaching from the inside. A coach offers you valuable outside perspective, providing constructive feedback that helps you fine-tune your classes.
Your coach can observe your teaching and identify areas of improvement, such as adjusting your cueing to be clearer, working on your energy and presence, or improving your timing. Most importantly, a coach will give you the tools and techniques to grow as a teacher, rather than just pointing out what needs work. With their input, you’ll be able to evolve and continuously enhance your teaching skills.
Additionally, having someone to hold you accountable can help you stay committed to your professional development. It’s easy to get distracted or procrastinate when you’re doing everything on your own, but a coach will help you stay on track with your goals and keep you motivated during the challenging moments.
4. Helping You Navigate the Business Side of Yoga
The business side of being a yoga teacher often takes many new instructors by surprise. You may have the skills to teach great classes, but if you’re not able to manage the business aspects, your yoga career can stall. A coach who is experienced in the yoga industry can offer guidance on topics such as pricing your services, marketing yourself, and even finding your niche.
For example, your coach might offer advice about creating a website or building a social media presence. By helping you build confidence and competence in these areas, a coach makes it easier to handle the challenges that often arise when trying to establish a thriving yoga business.
5. Supporting Emotional and Mental Resilience
Teaching yoga isn’t just about guiding students through asanas; it’s also about supporting them mentally spiritually, and emotionally. The same is true for you as a teacher. There are times when you’ll experience self-doubt, stress, or even burnout. Navigating the emotional demands of teaching can be especially challenging for new instructors who may feel pressure to “be perfect” from the start.
A coach helps you manage the emotional ups and downs of being a yoga teacher by offering a safe space for you to talk through your feelings and challenges. Whether you’re feeling frustrated with your progress, struggling with student feedback, or dealing with burnout, a coach can help you develop the resilience to move through these emotions.
They may provide tools for stress management, such as mindfulness exercises or breathing techniques that you can incorporate into your teaching. They can also help you develop the mental and emotional fortitude to continue teaching with authenticity and passion.
6. Creating a Supportive Network
One of the most valuable aspects of having a coach is the connection to a member of the yoga community. Many coaches have established relationships with other yoga teachers, studio owners, and wellness professionals. By working with a coach, you might gain access to opportunities for collaboration and mentorship.
A coach might introduce you to other like-minded teachers, making it easier to share experiences, exchange ideas, and even build friendships. This sense of community is vital for your personal and professional growth as a new yoga teacher.
Final Thoughts
Becoming a yoga teacher is a rewarding but complex journey. The right coach can make all the difference in how you transition from a yoga student to a skilled instructor. From providing clarity and feedback to supporting your emotional wellbeing and business acumen, a coach is an essential partner in your development.
If you’re a new yoga teacher feeling uncertain or overwhelmed, seeking out a coach can be one of the most empowering steps you take toward building a fulfilling and sustainable career.
Need support while going through your yoga teacher training or while starting your yoga teaching career? I’m here to help! I have experienced the same challenges you are presented with and can provide valuable insight and support. My former career in student support services prepared me to help adult students work towards their educational goals. I understand in these current times, it may be more difficult than ever to gain confidence and launch your yoga teaching career. I can help you strategize your path! As an RYT 500, I can provide teaching feedback, technical guidance, and moral support! Check out a few coaching testimonials here! For more information, contact me here to book a zoom meeting. Or click here to book one of the currently available times.
