When deciding to become a yoga teacher I thought long and hard.
“Am I ready? Is this what I’d really like to do? Will I be good at it? Will it give me fulfillment?”
When I decided the answer was ‘yes’ to all those questions I struck forward and didn’t look back. I went through this amazing teacher training that gave me an excellent base in the business side of yoga as well as how to be a great teacher. But now, on my own, away from all those wise yogi’s, it can get pretty hard and feel pretty lonely. Yesterday, I had a full class of up for it awesome students. Today, I sat and waited and not one person showed up. I told myself ‘it’s not a big deal’, but there is a part of me that can be harsh and kept saying ‘you’re not working hard enough, that’s why no one is here’.
On my ride home I was thinking back over where I’d gone wrong, and then it hit me… You’ve only been doing this for 3 months… Rome didn’t yoga in a day! It takes time to build relationships with clients and studios and yes, I do need to work hard, but there’s no reason to beat myself up about it!
In my class yesterday, (that was filled to the bursting) I was showing my students how to do some arm balancing poses. I told them, if this is your first time attempting this pose you might not get it today. Then I showed them step up ways to build into the pose. I taught them the safe way to get in and out and said, now that you have that you can go away and practice and be ready for next time.
It’s hard to work yourself out of the self pity hole, but I need to trust that I was given the right instructions and just go home and practice.
Celebrate your successes. Seek them, earn them, treasure them.
In the past 3 months I have set up a steady class at a studio. I have run my own classes, some that have been successful, some not so much. I have become a better teacher, more comfortable in my role and better at taking the lead. I set up my own website, and today I received the business cards I ordered! Being hard on myself isn’t going to move me forward, only hold me back. Taking stock of what I’ve done, and what I can do is what’s going to keep me on track!
bonnyleeyoga 