This guest post is from the wonderful Michelle Myhre whose blog, Devi Wears Prana, is frikkin awesome. Her snapshot of life as a yoga teacher is spot on, at least to my experience. If you are in the San Francisco area and thinking of doing teacher training, you should investigate Michelle’s training program!
Namaste! I am so honored to be a guest blogger on Nadine Fawell’s site!
Nadine & I are both full-time yoga teachers. In wondering what to share with you here it seems appropriate to touch on what teaching yoga full time entails, maybe give you a bit of a snapshot of a yoga teachers life.
Teaching full time means leading anywhere from 12 classes (which feels like a holiday) to 18 (which is my absolute max) per week. I teach at multiple places: Yoga studios’ a climbing gym, posh members only clubs, at an office, and at peoples homes. The most classes I teach in one day is four, which is a lot and happens rarely. These are my numbers, your comfort zone might be very different.
Yoga teachers work with the public. It’s important to be clean, groomed, appropriately dressed and to avoid garlic which comes out of our pores the next day! The one day my aunt talked me into a glass of wine at lunch I was called in as an emergency sub, and the studio owner hovered over my shoulder breathing deeply!
Teaching full time is my joy, but also my job, so I approach it professionally. Emails are returned within 24 hours. Classes begin and end on time. I arrive early. Rushing to a class will create anxiety that your students will feel.
Promoting your classes is important. I use social media, like blogging! Another perk to teaching is you often get a free membership or complimentary classes at the places you teach. Taking classes where you teach is good vibes, important self-care, and is a fun way to market your own.
I’ve learned (through trial and error) to treat every interaction with students, bosses, colleagues and peers as make it or break it. The day you have a melt down, or speak dismissively because you’re overwhelmed or exhausted will come back to haunt you. This means I meditate and take “me time” every day so I can be cool and calm.
Each week, and each month my schedule changes. Some months I lead trainings, and the other months I tend to sub lots of classes. In other words, every day is unique. Some days are light and I can take classes, make playlists or podcasts and write. On 3-4 class days. I don’t schedule too much and do my best to avoid stressful places like the DMV. When I’m with students it feels really good to be 100% there, clear, aware, observant.
On your teaching journey I wish you every success and joy. The world needs us humans be be clear, embodied, and able to handle rapid change with aplomb. The world needs yoga! The world needs you!
Thank you, Nadine!
Namaste!
Moving from Stability: Understanding the Pelvis in Posture (Online workshop)
Light Up Your Life
Thanks, Nadine!