4 Things You Need to Know About Being A Yoga Instructor

Being a Yoga Instructor means responsibility. You’ll be teaching students of all kinds and you should have the required skill to meet the needs and wants of your students. That being said, here are the six things you need to know about being a yoga instructor.

Learning The Difference Between A Teacher and An Instructor

• Many individuals who teach yoga confuse their role as a teacher or an instructor. An instructor simply explains or provides instructions to their students on how to exercise or do an asana. Most of the time, the instructor stands in front of the class and demonstrates the different poses for the students to follow. At the same time, he/she is more concerned with what to do and how to do it. They have to follow a set pattern, instructions or a sequence while they are instructing the students.

A teacher, on the other hand, is more active in helping each student meet their goal of coming to the class. He/she is aware of the personal goals of their students, their strengths, as well as the challenges they face. They offer the required guidance and aim to improve the students. A yoga teacher typically walks around the class observing, aiding, correcting, and adjusting the students. Make a clear choice for who you want to be in your class.

Teaching and Practicing Yoga Are Completely Different From Eachother

• Having learned all about yoga practice does not mean that you become an advanced teacher. There is a big difference between being able to explain and transfer the knowledge to your students that just knowing something. When you practice yoga, you avoid thinking about the small details of how the asanas are performed, you just know them by heart.

Thus, it is crucial that you follow an excellent yoga teacher training course that prepares you to give the right instructions and cues to your students. You must learn proper alignments for different body types and how to correct students on a personal basis.

You Must Be Trustworthy

• You cannot start to teach someone yoga until and unless they trust you. Humans are skeptical and curious and that is something you can’t control. So always be prepared to be closely observed and often judged by your students during the first few days of the classes. They naturally want to see what you are capable of. They will observe your every move before they can trust you.

This is true even when the students close their eyes as you can be sure that there are many who are still looking at you. It is important for you to be aware of this and keep maintaining your professional attitude, posture and whatever else you are doing. Once they start to trust you, they will become comfortable and they will never mind you making any mistakes during the class.

You Don’t Have To Become A Master At Performing Asana

• A lot of individuals who come to Wild Abundant Life to become yoga instructors have one fear in them - they all think that their personal practice is not good enough to become a yoga instructor. Don’t ever forget that every individual has their limits - some people are super flexible but lack the strength, while others have the strength but do not have the flexibility. Some people even have both of these but do not have the right concentration or balance. Every yoga teacher is different.

As a yoga instructor, it is very important to know the alignments of the asanas and their benefits. Only then you can explain the practice clearly to your students and they will be able to follow you perfectly. Most of the students you’ll encounter in your professional life will not expect you to be a master at asanas. So take it easy, and start learning the concepts and fundamentals.

To start your journey, enlist yourself with one of the yoga teacher training courses available at Wild Abundant Life. Our courses are aimed at beginners who wish to expand their practice and turn a career out of it. Check the yoga teacher training schedule today and enlist early to get a discount.