Yoga Teacher Blind Spot: Clear Vision

What makes a good yoga teacher? So many things! But something that isn't talked a lot about and you won't find in many yoga teacher trainings is how to discover your own unique voice as a teacher. 

It's important to know who you are as a teacher because that's what helps you find the people who will love you and your classes, it helps you feel more confident in what you teach and how you can help people. 

You're not alone with this blind spot, the majority of yoga teachers struggle to feel confident in who they are as teachers. But do you know what the secret is, the special ingredient to being an amazing and effective teacher? 

It's who you are. 

I know, saying "who you are" feels like the type of advice we get from a children's story or fairytale, but it's true! Who you are is your superpower and it's what will make your teaching stand out. 

But how do you figure that out? Or even more important, how do you get out of your own way, ignore those feelings of being an imposter, and actually start trusting yourself?

As you know, the practice of yoga is so much more than yoga poses. The very heart of yoga is a practice of self-awareness, offering you so many wonderful ways to learn and understand yourself. 

And teaching yoga is a beautiful way to continue this work of understanding (and accepting) who you are. When we teach yoga, our fears and worries are guaranteed to show up. You've likely had these or similar thoughts-  was that a good class? I made a mistake and everyone knows. I feel like an imposter, I don't know enough to be a good teacher. And the list goes on. 

Finding Your Voice as a Teacher

Here are some steps you can take right now to start learning more about yourself and feeling more confident in who you are and what you have to share with others. 

1. Write down why you started teaching yoga, and what you love about teaching. Be specific as possible, don't censure yourself in the process, and trust what will come out of you as you write. 

2. Write down your strengths as a teacher. This might be the hardest one for many of us. We're not used to thinking about all the good things about who we are, especially with our teaching. If it's hard, that's a beautiful moment of awareness for yourself. You could dig a little deeper and ask yourself why is it hard to think of kind things about myself. Then go ask a trusted friend to tell you their favorite things about you and you'll hopefully start seeing your amazing self as others see you!

3. Write down who you love teaching. Do you love teaching kids? Seniors? Athletes? Over-worked parents? Then write down why you love teaching this group of people and that particular approach.

4. Write down your ideal teaching life/career, etc. Don't be shy with it, dare to envision yourself in your power, as the best version of a teacher you can see. 

The more you write, the more you'll start to see commonalities between all these questions. It's in the commonalities that you'll start to see the core parts of who you are emerge. 

Let those parts shine, double down on them. Embrace and accept that you teach in a certain way. That energy will give you the clarity and motivation to find the confidence to put yourself out there, to teach in a way that might be different from the mainstream or what's common in your community. 

Ready to go beyond your typical yoga teacher training?

Our Heart + Bones Yoga Teacher Certification is designed to help you grow, not just as a yoga teacher, but as a confident, authentic leader in your community. Here’s how you’ll stand out:

1. Honour the tradition: Learn how to uphold yoga’s time-honoured teachings while offering classes that are inclusive and avoid cultural appropriation.
2. Teach sustainable practices: Gain a deeper understanding of the ‘why’ behind traditional cues and adapt them for accessibility, making your teaching more sustainable and safe for all.
3. Bridge theory and practice: Feel confident in applying movement education and anatomy to real-life classes, so you can offer variations that work for every body.
4. Master sequencing: Develop the skills to adapt poses and sequences in a way that is safe, accessible, and welcoming to all levels.
5. Build a connected community: Grow alongside like-minded teachers and mentors in a supportive environment that helps you refine your teaching and find your unique voice.

It’s time to expand your impact and teach in a way that feels aligned with your values—this is yoga teacher training, redefined.