om yoga teacher training guide
How to boost your confidence as a newly-qualified teacher. By Vidya Heisel
1 Offer to assist classes of teachers that you know, so you can
practice your hands on adjustments without the added challenge of
also teaching. This will help you to get comfortable touching people.
Do this until you feel completely confident with it.
2 Practice, practice, practice. Organise at least two free classes
per week for friends and family. If there is one thing you really need
to do as a new teacher it is to get as much practice as you can, as
soon as possible.
3 Offer to teach a community class at your local studio for donation
only and accept donations for a charity of your choice. This way,
you will feel fine if the class is not perfect and it gives you more
opportunity to practice.
4 Every week choose three poses to study in depth. Research
everything you can about those three poses and write some good
cues to integrate your new knowledge into your classes. As your
knowledge increases and your cuing gets more intelligent, your
confidence will grow.
5 Write down some good guided pranayamas, meditations and
savasanas. As your students will practice these things with their eyes
closed, you will be able to read through your script, which you have
thoughtfully written. This way, it can be really good, and you won’t
stumble over your own words.
6 Plan your class well ahead of time and make a clear list of the
postures you are going to teach. Place this list beside your mat
(it is fine to use notes) but just make sure you refer to it when the
students are in Downdog and Child’s Pose, not Tadasana.7 Before teaching, do some calming pranayama yourself, such as
three part deep abdominal breathing or Nadi Shodhana, alternate
nostril breathing. This will calm your nerves.8 Visualise yourself teaching with confidence and authority. Imagine
yourself teaching a really excellent class and try to see as much
detail as possible. As you visualise this get in touch with how it feels
emotionally to be a successful and confident teacher. Do this before
every class you teach.9 Be very friendly and kind towards your students, checking in
with them before class to find out about their injuries and goals. Be
willing to spend a few extra minutes at the end of class to go over
anything a student might have questions about. Connecting with
your students will allow you to feel more relaxed, knowing you are
among friends.10 Always take time to prepare for your class well. Also take a
shower, dress in clean, flattering clothes and tie your hair back. Look
the part!Vidya Jacqueline Heisel is director of Suryalila Retreat Centre
(suryalila.com) and Frog Lotus Yoga International Yoga Teacher
Trainings (froglotusyogainternational.com)