May 14, 2024

5 Things You Won't Learn in Your Yoga Teacher Training (But will make you a better teacher)

Learn 5 crucial lessons not taught in typical yoga teacher training that will significantly enhance your teaching skills

The journey to become a yoga instructor can be both exciting and challenging, offering endless learning opportunities. While everyone has their individual reasons for joining, we often observe common fears among participants in our online yoga teacher training program.

Whether you're a new yoga teacher or have years of experience, understanding the details of this journey can significantly improve your teaching skills and happiness.

Yoga teacher training gives you the basics to start, but the real learning comes from daily teaching and talking with students. In this blog, we cover five important insights often not taught in standard yoga teacher training. These insights are key to building confidence, clearness, and motivation in your teaching.

Embracing the Imperfect Journey of Yoga Teaching

Teaching yoga is about personal growth and accepting flaws just as much as helping others in their practice. If you're thinking about becoming a yoga teacher, it might be intimidating to realize that you'll be viewed as the expert up front, which why at the core of the next five points is the willingness to think like a student, even when you are a teacher.

Here are the five lessons that every yoga teacher, whether novice or experienced, can benefit from:

1. Mistakes are Inevitable and Valuable

Mistakes should not be feared; they are inevitable and integral to any learning process. For yoga teachers, acknowledging and embracing mistakes offers an opportunity for personal and professional growth. When you slip up, whether it’s mixing up left and right or forgetting a part of your sequence, handle it with a light heart. This not only helps in reducing the pressure but also humanizes you, making your class a safe space for students to also make mistakes without judgment. It’s a chance to show that imperfection is a part of the yoga journey, encouraging a more relaxed and authentic environment for everyone.

2. The Myth of the Perfect Class

There is no such thing as a perfect yoga class. Striving for perfection only sets an unrealistic standard, placing unnecessary pressure on both the teacher and the students. Each class is a unique experience influenced by various elements like the collective energy of the participants, the day’s specific circumstances, and even spontaneous interactions within the class. By letting go of the idea of perfection, you open up more space for creativity and adaptability in your teaching methods, which can lead to more meaningful and impactful sessions.

3. Not Everyone Will Like Your Classes

Accepting that not everyone will resonate with your teaching style can be liberating. As a teacher, your authenticity might not align with everyone's expectations or needs, and that’s perfectly fine. This realization helps in cultivating a teaching environment where you can freely express your true self without the fear of judgment, attracting students who truly appreciate your approach. Remember, it's more rewarding to connect deeply with fewer compatible students than to alter your essence trying to please everyone.

4. Release Control Over Outcomes

As a yoga teacher, your role is to guide and facilitate, not to control or predict how each participant will receive your class. Yoga is a personal journey for every student, and each one will experience and absorb your teachings differently based on their own physical and emotional states. Trust in the process and focus on delivering your knowledge and presence, allowing students to take what they need. This approach not only reduces your burden but enriches the learning environment, making your classes a space of exploration for both you and your students.

5. Continuous Learning and Adaptability

The path of a yoga teacher is an ongoing journey of learning and transformation. Embrace the idea that you don’t have all the answers and maintain a mindset of curiosity and openness. This not only enhances your teaching but also encourages your students to adopt a similar attitude of exploration and inquiry. Each teaching experience is an opportunity to refine and evolve your skills and understanding of yoga. By staying open to continuous learning and embracing the fluidity of knowledge, you cultivate a dynamic and evolving teaching practice that remains relevant and inspiring.

The main lesson from these five points is about embracing imperfection and fluidity in the practice and teaching of yoga.

We encourage you to embrace the natural unpredictability and personal differences in teaching. By understanding that errors are normal, perfection is not possible, not all classes will connect with everyone, results can't be controlled, and learning never stops, yoga teachers can develop a real, flexible, and kind teaching method. This way, the pressure yoga teachers put on themselves is lessened, and learning becomes better for both the teacher and students. It makes yoga more welcoming and personal for everyone.

Incorporating these lessons into your yoga teaching philosophy can enhance both your effectiveness as an instructor and your personal enjoyment of the teaching journey.

Being a yoga teacher is more than just the initial training. We keep learning from every class, student, and mistake. These experiences make us better teachers. It's important to accept that everything won't be perfect and not all feedback will be positive. These are key steps in becoming a better yoga instructor. So, remember, each class is a chance to grow—for both you and your students. If you keep learning, your classes will stay fresh and you'll enjoy your own yoga practice.

Become a Yoga Teacher with Heart + Bones Yoga Teacher Training

Our yoga teacher training online offers a transformative approach that goes beyond traditional models by emphasizing mobility over flexibility and providing deep insights into modern movement education. This program is designed for those looking to make yoga accessible and inclusive, teaching intelligent sequences that cater to a wide range of bodies and capabilities. Through a combination of quality online instruction, live calls with expert teachers, and a supportive community mentorship program, our training equips you with the skills to teach sustainable practices and adapt yoga to meet the needs of today's diverse practitioners. Whether you're deepening your own practice or aiming to build a career in yoga, our training will empower you to think differently, teach effectively, and honor the timeless tradition of yoga in a modern

Heart + Bones Yoga Teacher Training

Not your typical yoga teacher training. As leaders in online yoga education, we've trained hundreds of teachers around the world with our blend of accessible education and community connection.

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I joined the training because I wanted to support different abilities and types of bodies. After learning the why behind the poses and more anatomy, I’ve grown more than I could have imagined. I feel confident to teach and show up in the way that I am. I’m not afraid to be ‘wrong’ because I understand the principles behind the movement.

EVA, UK
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