What are the top 5 qualities of a great yoga teacher? The answer might surprise you!
What You Need to Know
As new yoga teachers we tend to get in our heads about what we need to do, know, and be before we can be a great yoga teacher. We come out of our first training with the reality that we have only touched on the “tip of the iceberg” of yoga knowledge. And THAT can be terrifying! There IS much, much, more to learn – but there’s also so much you already know!
We will never stop learning and deepening our understanding of yoga philosophy, history, anatomy and physiology, and ethics. Therefore, we will forever be tweaking our teaching methodology. This is called growth – and it’s healthy for us to grow, adapt and change.
This will be true no matter how many certifications you have, trainings, workshops, classes and retreats you’ve attended, books you’ve read, podcasts you’ve listened to, etc. (you get the idea).
You Are Enough
Even if you miraculously had ALL yoga knowledge right off the bat – as time goes on information would change and you’d be learning what the “newest” research shows us about what we’ve been doing all along!
This is not even to mention all the various “expert” opinions, interpretations, yoga lineages, and studies that are presented to us on a daily basis! No wonder so many of us get overwhelmed, feel inferior, or have imposter syndrome when we start teaching.
I’m not denying your yoga education is a critical piece of becoming a yoga teacher. But just keep in mind – you ARE equipped with everything you need right now to teach great yoga classes that keep students coming back. That is, if you keep your focus on a few important, yet simple things.
A great yoga teacher brings more than just knowledge of postures — they create a safe, empowering, and transformative experience for their students. Here are the top 5 qualities that make a yoga teacher stand out:
Hold Space for Students
Don’t just teach a sequence. You don’t need to fill every space with words. Give students time to feel the postures in their bodies; to feel their breath, and their own heartbeat. Encourage them to notice sensations and to listen to their own bodies. Give them AMPLE time in Savasana – at least 10% of the class. Holding space also means they feel safe. Unless you have express permission to take pictures and use for your promotion – don’t do it! This is their time – not a marketing photo shoot for you. (I am guilty of this in the past but it didn’t feel right, and I don’t do it anymore.)
Be Student Centered
Cultivate a welcoming and non-judgmental environment. Give clear, compassionate cues that are easy to understand and follow. Be ready to give multiple cues for the same action for different learning styles if needed: auditory, visual, and kinesthetic. Read the energy in the room and be willing to adjust your sequence and always offer modifications. Give them a choice – “you can stay here or____.”
Be Your Authentic Self
Continue your personal yoga practice and teach from your own experience. Allow your teaching to reflect your yoga journey. Let your passion for yoga shine through. Tell YOUR story. Maintain a sense of humor and laugh at yourself if needed. If you skip something or forget part of your sequence, there’s no shame in saying so. We are all human and your students will admire your honesty. Learn how to be an authentic yoga teacher here.
Teach Your Students Something New!
Know yoga beyond the poses. Sprinkle in some yoga philosophy, anatomy, alignment, asana, pranayama, a mudra, nervous system info, etc. Make it fun and relatable in today’s world. And – there is no harm in repeating the something “new” in a future class. Repetition reinforces learning.
Respect Your Students’ Time
Start and end class on time to the best of your ability. Remember the third Yama: Asteya, non-stealing. It’s disrespectful to steal student’s time. Stealing their time can also mean bringing other topics (gossip, politics, etc.) into your class. You may hear a conversation and be tempted to chime in but it’s not advisable. Stay neutral. Your opinions are just that and better left unsaid. You never know who you are offending or excluding during that conversation.
Final Note For Teachers
You don’t have to be the “perfect yogi” and know or be anything but yourself to be an impactful teacher. You are enough right now. Keep practicing. Keep learning. Keep showing up. That’s what makes a great teacher.
More Reading:
What Makes a Good Yoga Teacher: Our List of 11 Top Traits – Yoga Journal
What Makes a Good Yoga Teacher – Wanderlust
