How I Found Confidence During My Early Days of Teaching Yoga
/Feel like listening instead of reading? I recorded a 9 minute audio reflecting on the topics in this post. In it I share how I stumbled upon the helpful tactic of reciting yoga cues in my car and how that helped me build my confidence in the early days of teaching.
My early days of teaching yoga were… tense, honestly.
I was scared.
I was so nervous before every class I taught. I was this bundle of nervous energy, excitement and anxiety intertwined.
I knew I had something powerful to share, but my voice was still shaky as I did it.
The self-doubt looming over me during those initial classes led me to a powerful realization that transformed my teaching approach.
I vividly recall the shaky energy and the fear of forgetting cues that plagued me as I stood at the front of the room. I cared deeply about offering my students an experience that would bring them grounding, peace and healing. A few months after teacher training, still super fresh as a teacher, I stumbled upon a tool that would shape my teaching style: practicing cues out loud in the solitude of my car.
I began speaking the words of my Vinyasa sequences, allowing myself the freedom to fumble and experiment. The process of verbalizing the cues proved invaluable, offering a sense of relief and a newfound confidence. However, the breakthrough came when I decided to write down and practice the sequences, turning the act of reading into a source of assurance.
As weeks and months passed, I discovered that many new yoga teachers grappled with similar self-consciousness and fear of stumbling over words. It became apparent that the early teaching experience was challenging, uncomfortable, and, for some, almost enough to discourage them from continuing.
Reflecting on this, I realized that being new to teaching was not only an exercise in surrender but also an opportunity for creativity. Embracing imperfection and viewing mistakes as valuable was a mindset shift that could alleviate the discomfort of early teaching.
Looking back, my solution had been remarkably simple—infusing an element of adventure into the learning process. Driving and experimenting with cues in the car allowed me to break free from my perfectionist tendencies. Writing down and practicing the sequences became a pivotal step, leading to the birth of my vinyasa yoga scripts.
To new yoga teachers facing the struggle of finding their words, I want to convey a few key messages:
You're Not Alone: The challenges you face are shared by many new yoga teachers. The journey will become easier, but only if you choose a path that feels natural and authentic.
Embrace Tools: Tools are not cheating; they are temporary solutions for temporary challenges. Utilizing scripts or other aids can be a positive and empowering choice as you build confidence.
Take Your Time: There's no rush in finding your teaching voice. Allow yourself the space to grow and learn at your own pace.
Be Kind to Yourself: Self-criticism is natural but doesn't have to be constant. Embrace the learning process, and don't be too hard on yourself.
Choose Your Path: You have the power to decide how to navigate the challenges. Find tools that work for you, and let them be a source of support on your teaching journey.
Having a script to read from was a game-changer for me—it transformed teaching yoga from something intimidating to a more liberating experience. It provided the bridge I needed to navigate through self-criticism, away from perfectionism and toward the true essence of my yoga practice—acceptance, authenticity, and being unapologetically me. If you're a new teacher struggling, remember, you can do this. It's a journey, not a race, and there are tools and support available for you as you find your unique voice in the world of yoga teaching.
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Below you can find more info about the most popular yoga script I offer. Let me know if you have any questions about it, ok?
Calling all new yoga teachers! Are you ready to teach a badass power yoga class?! This script can help you improve your cues, build your confidence, and discover the sequencing and pacing that will define your unique style as a teacher. A great tool for transitioning from your yoga teacher training into any environment where you are leading classes, whether that’s a studio, gym, corporate setting, or private classes.
If you are struggling to remember what to say when you teach, or you’re having trouble guiding students from pose to pose, this script can help. The Power Yoga Script breaks down exactly what verbs and cue details to use as you teach. Are there fears or insecurities holding you back? Are you comparing yourself to other yoga teachers instead of letting your voice be heard? Explore the big questions behind how and why you teach using this helpful guide.
The sequencing follows the Baptiste methodology including the following sections: Integration, Awakening, Vitality, Equanimity, Grounding, Igniting, Stability, Opening, Release, Rejuvenation and Deep Rest.
This 48-page script includes:
Introductions
Warm ups
Sun salutations
Warrior poses
Balancing poses
Triangle series
Backbending
Abs and core work
Hips
Forward bending
Inversions
Cool down and shavasana
There’s also space for you to plan out a class and write out all the cues you’ll use to guide students safely through the poses, plus a list of questions to help you discover where you’re feeling stuck.
Precise cues, smart sequencing, and ideas for how to start and end the class in an engaging and authentic way. Walk into class feeling empowered and prepared to deliver a kick-ass yoga experience to your students.
Take your teaching from basic to badass with this power yoga script.
Here’s what yoga teachers are saying about the POWER YOGA SCRIPT:
“This definitely helped me improve my flow with teaching asana after my teacher training.” -Donita, Vinyasa yoga teacher
”I love how you laid this script out. I felt confused and scattered as I was working on my classes and this helped me save time in the process. Thank you!” -Keyla, yin yoga teacher
“I’ll be honest: when I got done with my 200-hour training, I felt totally lost. I mean, my trainers went over all the poses but as soon as I’d get in front of the room, the words just weren’t there. I felt so stuck. This book helped me build my confidence and doing some memorization so I wasn’t always so terrified to teach.” -Beth, power vinyasa teacher