Starting as a yoga teacher is exciting, but also challenging. You have just completed your 200-hour YTT, your heart is full, your playlist is ready, your head is full of knowledge, and your sequence is great. Still, stepping in front of a class can feel intimidating. Most new teachers want their classes to be seamless, meaningful, and inspiring from the beginning. But what happens when it doesn’t work the way we want?
Here are seven common mistakes new yoga teachers make – and how to avoid them.
1. Attachment To The Sequence
It’s natural to spend hours preparing your sequence, selecting the right music, and thinking about the theme of the class. But sometimes, students come in with different needs. Maybe someone can’t do half the poses you’ve planned. If you stuck to your “perfect plan,” it might seem like you were teaching for yourself, not for them.
Instead, take a moment to observe your students from the beginning. Notice how they’re feeling and be open to changing your class. Sometimes you’ll need to adjust the sequence, change a pose, or give them extra time to rest in a child pose. That kind of flexibility shows that you’re present and you’re teaching, not just reciting.
2. Apologizing Too Much
As a new teacher, it’s easy to fall into the habit of apologizing for being new, for making a mistake, or for forgetting something in your sequence. While it comes from a humble place, it can actually pull your students out of their practice and make them focus on you instead.
If you miss a cue or forget a side, just smile and keep going. You can also say, ” I think we missed this side – let’s do it now!” Laugh it off, or turn it into a little teachable moment. As long as your intention is genuine, your students will feel that. Connection is always better choice like perfection.
3. Not Continuing Your Studies
Becoming certified as a 200-hour yoga teacher is just the beginning. The best teachers never stop being students. Keep learning – take workshops, explore new styles, read a book, listen the podcasts, watch videos, and deepen your knowledge of anatomy and philosophy.
Continued education not only improves your teaching but also keeps your passion alive. Yoga is a lifelong path, not a one-time certification.
4. Judging or Over-Correcting Modifications
Modifications are beneficial for any yoga class, helping your students and giving them more options for how to approach a pose. However, you need to be careful with the guidance. Try to avoid sentences like, “If you can’t do A, do B.” This kind of guidance suggests that one version of a pose is better than another, which can damage your students’ confidence.
Instead, try to offer more friendly variations. Say: “You might try reaching up, keeping your hands at your heart, or even placing them on your hips – choose what feels right today.” This helps your students to connect with themselves and practice self-awareness (svadhyaya), which is the essence of yoga.
5. Ignoring Marketing and the Social World
You can be an amazing teacher, but if no one knows about your classes and teachings, it’s hard to build a community and find students. Marketing may seem unnatural to yogis, but think of it as sharing, not selling. And many times you can inspire a lot of people, connect with people from all over the world, and open doors to new opportunities.
Use social media, create a simple website, and introduce yourself to studios and local communities. Building relationships both online and offline builds trust and helps you find your teaching style.
6. Not Enough Silence In Savasana
Many teachers rush to end their lessons because they are afraid that students will get bored or leave. But in today’s fast-paced world, silence can be more beneficial than harmful. Give your students space to rest. Try to do 5-10 minutes of savasana in a 60-minute class. Add a body scan to relax, some affirmations or shoulder adjustments, and then let the silence do the talking. This is where body, mind, and breath come together.
7. Comparing Yourself To Other Teachers
As a new teacher is common to look at more experienced or famous teachers and think, “I’ll never teach like them.” But yoga isn’t about competition, and your journey is your own – you can’t compare with someone who has been already teaching many years. Take it as inspiration for your growth as a yoga teacher. Build confidence with your students by trusting your style and strength, rather than trying to be like your colleagues.
What truly matters is your energy, your voice, and your story – so be yourself and teach from your heart. And remember, finding your voice as a yoga teacher can take time. It may even change along the way – and that’s okay because we are changing too. That’s all part of the journey so just keep going.
Final Thoughts: Trust Your Journey
Every teacher starts somewhere. Mistakes are part of the process and are very necessary to becoming a better teacher. Small steps are important. Just show up for your students and yourself every day. Keep studying. Keep connecting. And remember, teaching is a practice, just like yoga. Trust the process.