Don’t Fit Your Student into a Pose
Most yoga teachers believe there is a pose and an exact method, and one should ideally look like that when in the pose. Something is given, and we are trying to fit our students into that mould. But we need to remember that in our anatomy class, we also studied that no two bodies are similar, meaning each body is different. Each one of us is unique, and that is the reason we cannot categorize humans as “average”, “normal” or “regular”. Apart from that, a student’s intensity of practice and her state of mind also affect her pose. That’s why it is unrealistic to accept that all students will perform the pose exactly in the same manner. As yoga teachers, therefore, be prepared to accept the fact that all my students cannot look alike when in the pose. Then yoga teachers use the word “alignment” frequently. They usually mean that if perfect alignment exists, the pose should look exactly as shown in books, ads, and magazines. How mistaken they are. While it may be true for most people, but not all people, always. There will always be exceptions and variations. Also, never assume all misalignment can be “fixed” with some adjustments, tweaks, or cues. It can instead be very awkward and disempowering to your students.
Second, students rather feel annoyed when yoga teachers try to prove their superiority or make jokes. Your students are not interested in your theoretical knowledge of the subject, nor will they judge you on this parameter. What they expect of you is how you help them in the cause they have come to your classes. How you can reduce, relieve, and finally remove their pain points. Having a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology or philosophy may not be enough. What truly matters is your life experiences, empathy, and willingness to put in extra efforts. These qualities will make your students feel secure in your class.
But yes, sometimes your students might ask some questions, not necessarily about what they are learning, but about things related to their productivity at jobs, relationships, or anything troubling them. My experience suggests students often ask a wide range of questions, including personal and confidential ones. If you can help them, answer them. If not, politely inform them you will consult books or literature and respond the next day. Or you can say to them you have little knowledge of the subject and won’t be able to help much. This will instead increase students’ confidence in you. The best policy is to be honest.
Third, even after their certification, yoga teachers keep learning to offer newer and newer varieties to their students. What happens in their eagerness to show how much they know or to look different from others they teach today what they learned yesterday? Now, we know we can only be authentic if we practice Asana or any other technique for a while. If we don’t practice, we won’t be authentic, and it would just be someone else’s experience that we are reproducing, regurgitating. Students can see through how confident and how nervous you are when you demonstrate the pose. You are unnecessarily spoiling your image. Then, teachers sometimes take courses without considering if they align with their offerings, add value to their niche or improve their value proposition. Another mistake that teachers often make is cramming the content and using difficult terms or phrases that students find hard to understand. Instead, it is important for teachers to speak in their own language and share information in relevant bits and pieces.
It is now trendy to boast or advertise who you are. However, teachers should avoid boasting about their knowledge, skills, or personality. Others should assess and judge your character, not yourself. Boasting belittles your character. Swami Vivekananda said,–“With your knowledge, if you are not simple and humble, then the greater your knowledge, the more rigid your thoughts will be.” He went on to say, “Knowledge is not about proving your superiority over others; it is all about serving others with whatever little you know. It should be used for the benefit of humanity.”
Fourth, just because you are teaching yoga, it doesn’t mean you are immune from life’s difficulties, tragedies and feelings of gloom and doom. It happens to everyone. But remember not to bring these feelings to your class (easy to say but difficult to practice). Your students have no connection with your private life. Any reason might disturb your mood, but why should your class suffer? Remember, one unpleasant experience is enough for the students to reconsider their decision about continuing in your classes. Even though you have been going to a restaurant for quite some time, their service suddenly becomes abysmal one day. Although you don't complain, you also don't patronize anymore. You quit. That is the nature of the service business. People don’t complain but quit. That’s why you must be one hundred percent in each class and each day. That’s how other service industries operate: airlines, hotels, salons, etc. It might sound like an exaggeration, but I remember a factual story. Despite the death of the founder's son in a road accident, the Yoga Institute in Santacruz carried on with all scheduled classes. The founder, himself, taught a class that was assigned to him that day, demonstrating his dedication to the cause.
Fifth, as a yoga teacher, particularly when you have just started teaching, you want to do more and more classes. It gives you money, and then it is satisfying, too. You teach too many types, at too many places, and to too many students. You are up early and leading late into the evening. This results in you being too tired. You don't have time for self-practice, and you also don't have time to reflect on where you are headed. However, it won't take long for you to realize that you are receiving fewer and fewer classes, your clients are not renewing their memberships, and new practitioners are no longer interested in signing up. What went wrong? You cannot be all things to all women all the time. Don't forget the concept of identifying a niche that was explained in chapter 6. You have become an ordinary yoga teacher, not a yoga professional. Use the concept of niche, build your brand, don’t take assignments outside the niche, however alluring it might be, and be consistent in whatever you do. Adhocism never pays.
Sixth, take care of yourself. I am not discussing your physical or mental health here. What I mean is that it is not only your conduct in the class that matters; of course, it does. But it is equally important how you conduct yourself outside the class. Do nothing even remotely that spoils your image or brand. So, take care of what messages and photos you post on your social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn). How do you carry yourself? How do you dress up outside? And where do you go with family and friends? All these things impact your image as a teacher. It would be best if you were not a hypocrite- i.e. say something in class and do the opposite publicly. Your clients might catch you doing something inconsistent, and your entire image goes for a toss.
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