Navigating Self-Doubt as a Yoga Instructor
Here you will find a guide for new Yoga instructors and instructors experiencing self-doubt.
What to do we do as instructors when a student asks a question, and we don’t have the answer?
Don’t feel inadequate. You are not alone.
In this blog post, we’ll explore five key points to help yoga instructors navigate those challenging moments when you don’t have the answers, and let’s be honest, who does?
Becoming a yoga instructor is a journey filled with excitement, self-discovery, and, yes, moments of self-doubt.
It’s perfectly normal to feel a lack of confidence, especially when questions are raised, and you don’t have the answers.
But remember, we have all been there. And no matter where you are in your teaching journey, 1 week or 10 years, we all still experience imposter syndrome from time to time.
When it comes to yoga, there is no possible way to learn it all.
That what makes yoga a beautiful life journey with endless learning, expansion, and growth.
1. We All Need to Start Somewhere
As a new yoga teacher, it’s crucial to understand that perfection is an illusion. Nobody has all the answers.
If you keep waiting for everything to align perfectly before you begin, or if you wait until you feel confident, or have more knowledge, then you’ll never take that first step.
Embrace your imperfections and accept the growth comes from experience.
Every class you teach, every question you can’t answer, and every mistake you make, is an opportunity to learn and improve.
Remember, even the instructors that you admire and look up to now, had to start somewhere.
2. Embrace Humility and Authenticity
When a student (or anybody) asks a yoga related question that you don’t have the answer to, don’t be afraid to admit it.
Embracing humility humanises you as a teacher and a person.
It shows your vulnerability, and that’s something people are genuinely attracted to.
In a world where everyone seems to ‘have it all together’ through their Instagram highlights, and we see people starting businesses and building empires left, right and centre — being honest about your limitations and the gaps in your knowledge is refreshing.
This act of vulnerability also gives your students permission to do the same.
You can be the breath of fresh air that allows people to let their guards down, relax their nervous system and happily admit when they don’t know something.
They feel empowered to let go of any embarrassment or feelings of inadequacy.
3. You Only Need to Know 10% More
It’s a misconception that you must be a yoga expert to teach.
In reality, you only need to know 10% more than your students for them to learn and receive value from your classes.
Even if a student technically has more knowledge or experience (maybe you have another yoga instructor in your class), that’s okay.
Your unique perspective and life experiences are unlike anyone else’s in the world.
Share your journey, your insights, and your passion.
You’re not just teaching facts and movements, you’re sharing a part of yourself; your personality and your quirks, and that’s what makes your teaching special.
People will be drawn to your classes because of YOU.
Not because of your expertise and how much technical knowledge you have.
4. Fake It Until You Make It
Confidence is a learned skill.
If you’re nervous or unsure… Fake it until you make it.
Find your alter ego and embody that confident self each time you step into the studio. The more you do it, the more natural it will become.
There will be a time when you will be questioning if you will ever feel confident standing up in front of a group or 10, 20 or 30+ people and guiding them through an hour-long class.
You’ll be asking yourself, “Why would they want to learn from me? What knowledge can I possibly have to teach all these people?”.
And then one day, without you realising, there will be a shift.
You’ll walk into a class or a workshop without the butterflies in your stomach and without stumbling over your words. And you will feel confident in the space you can hold for others.
You will happily accept that you don’t have all the answers and that there are still instructors that are ‘better’ than you and have more expertise than you, and that’s okay.
Your students are in your class, for you, to learn from you, with your flavour, personality and perspective.
Speaking with confidence, even when you’re uncertain, can go a long way.
The truth is, most students won’t notice if you make a mistake, provide an incomplete answer or botch your Sanskrit.
Don’t be afraid to laugh at yourself when you get your rights and lefts wrong or forget to repeat a posture on the other side.
Students generally enjoy the icebreaker when they can have a little giggle in class.
What they will notice is your presence and the trust you have in yourself.
Over time, as you gain more experience, that confidence will become genuine.
5. Trust in Your Voice
As a yoga instructor, your voice is a powerful tool.
Even if you’re unsure, speak with conviction. Chances are, your students won’t know if you got something wrong unless you bring attention to it.
Trust in yourself and your ability to guide your students through their practice.
How you project your voice affects the conviction of your class.
When you speak clearly and loud enough so that everyone in the space can hear you with ease, then you students feel safe, guided and assured.
At the same time, don’t be afraid of silence.
When we are nervous, we often over-talk.
If you talk too much, people may get agitated because there are spending 60 minutes processing and interoperating everything you’re saying as well as your back-to-back ques.
In yoga we want our students to step out of their minds and drop into their bodies. So, the less we can make them think the better.
Allow your cues to be clear and precise.
Allow your words to settle and marinate.
Confidence in your tone and delivery and your ability to hold space and silence, can make a significant difference in how your students connect to their bodies and feel by the end of your class.
*TIP - If you feel nervous opening your class, begin will your students lying down with their eyes closed. Here, you can take your time, use your notes and perhaps open with a meditation. You can download my meditation scripts here, to help you set an intention for your class and guide your students with confidence and ease.
Being a yoga instructor is a challenging yet immensely rewarding experience.
Embrace your journey, knowing that perfection isn’t the goal.
Instead, focus on humility, authenticity, and the power of your unique perspective.
Remember that you don’t need to be an expert and that confidence can be cultivated over time.
Trust in your voice, and soon enough, you’ll find your flow as a confident and admired instructor.
