The Reality of Teaching Yoga
At the end of March, I’ll be celebrating five years in business—After lots of thought (and maybe a little yoga-inspired reflection), I’ve decided to renew the lease for another year. The journey continues, and I’m excited to keep creating a space filled with brightness, happiness, movement, stillness, and all around good vibes.
Looking ahead, you’ll catch me teaching on Mondays and Saturdays, plus some surprise pop-up classes here and there as I shift to working part time again. (Don’t worry, I won’t be bringing those nasty customer service related vibes back into the studio. I’m going back to Merchandising in the Supermarkets, very much a solo affair - Praise be.)
Let’s face it - Making a living from yoga alone, can feel like balancing in tree pose during an earthquake! The unpredictable finances are real, and I couldn’t have done it without my partner’s support. Now I totally understand why so many teachers branch out into everything from Yoga Therapy and Ayurveda to Sound Healing, Reiki, Cacao Circles, Breathwork, Acro Yoga, or even Puppy Yoga—all creative ways to keep their passion sustainable.
I personally have no interest in those other modalities – I wish I did. But every time I bang my drum it sounds like the bells of the old chapel ringing out for the world to hear, cacao is terribly overpriced and I prefer milo, I can’t be bothered studying or paying for studying when there are so many great books out there to read, and puppy yoga is just a massive excuse to play with puppies. No one gives an F about the yoga part. And... Don’t get me started on pairing yoga with alcohol! (The Yogi masters will be rolling in their graves.) We, as Yoga Teachers, need to honour the practice and stay true to its roots as best as we can.
Then...IMPOSTER SYNDROME rears its ugly head every now and then. Especially when class attendance ebbs and flows. Maybe I only have two bookings because someone saw me in the Macca’s drive thru yesterday? Did I talk about farts too much instead of the yamas the other night? Were they put off when I went mental over something trivial that happened in my day? I’m a Yoga Teacher, I’m supposed to be calm all the time RIGHT? I definitely don’t meditate every day...THEY ALL KNOW!!!
Also, you take it personally if someone comes along to class and never comes back. Even worse is when someone walks out halfway through.(I’ve had that happen.) You spend endless hours worrying about what you did wrong. Why didn’t they LIKE MEEEEEE (Cue visualising throwing myself down on the bed, dramatically wailing.)
All I can do is choose to focus on being authentic and growing right along with you. My goal is to keep offering my unique style of yoga teaching, building heartfelt connections, and a supportive community - no matter how big or small it may be.
I once read a quote that said something along the lines of “Don’t be a yoga teacher, be yourself and teach yoga.” And I really feel like that’s what I try to do.
Most importantly, I promise to show up for every student with sincerity and enthusiasm, sharing honest, down-to-earth teaching that supports your well-being and growth. (And sorry, not sorry I'll still talk about poo and farts.)
Peace, love and farts
Deb
