Are you ready to conquer your fear of teaching yoga?
It’s time to step into your power as a confident yoga instructor and yoga business leader.
Teaching yoga is a calling. For many yoga teachers, teaching is their purpose–and they have a burning desire to share the transformative power of yoga with others.
However, for many new teachers, the idea of FINALLY beginning to teach, planning classes, launching a yoga business, and stepping in front of a class for the first time can be terrifying.
But here’s the thing you need to know. If you’ve completed your yoga teacher training (YTT) but feel paralyzed by fear, you’re not alone. Whether you’ve just graduated from yoga teacher training or completed your training years ago, diving into teaching can feel overwhelming and intimidating–even frightening.
It’s not uncommon for yoga teachers to feel worried about being judged, afraid of making mistakes, or doubting their own abilities. Imposter syndrome is SO real. And when it comes to starting out, many yoga teachers are anxious about figuring out where to teach, how to find clients, how to market their teaching, and how to generate sustainable income.
Unfortunately, fears like these hold yoga teachers back from sharing their unique voices and styles and positively impacting lives.
Why Are You Afraid to Teach Yoga?
Understanding a fear is the first step in overcoming it. I remember being totally petrified to launch my yoga podcast until I took time to reflect on the fear underneath my hesitation. But once I understood that fear, I was ready to jump right into building my podcast project.
Here are some common reasons new yoga teachers, whether or not they have recently graduated from YTT, feel nervous about teaching.
- Fear of Judgment: “What if my students don’t like me?” “What if I don’t look ‘yogi’ enough?”
- Imposter Syndrome: “I’m not experienced enough to teach.”
- Fear of Forgetting Sequences: “What if I mess up lefts and rights?” “What if I can’t remember what comes next?”
- Perfectionism: “My teaching has to be perfect.” “My demonstrations need to be spot on.”
- Lack of Confidence in Cueing: “What if I give the wrong instructions?” “What if I mess up?”
- Doubts about business: “Where do I find clients?” “How do I find studio space to rent?”
- Uncertainty about marketing: “How do I advertise?” “How do I brand myself?” “Do I need a website?”
- Lack of Leadership Confidence: “What if I have a problem with a student?” “What if I have a conflict with a student or another yoga teacher?”
Sound familiar? Fear and teaching anxiety is normal, but your fears don’t have to stop you. Or sideline you from fulfilling your dream of teaching yoga.
How to Overcome the Fear of Teaching Yoga
Here are a few tips and tricks on how you can shift your mindset and take action to build your confidence as a yoga teacher:
1. Shift Your Focus from Yourself to Your Students
Your students aren’t coming to class to judge you. They don’t care about what yoga pants you are wearing or whether your belly puffs out a bit in down dog when you demonstrate a pose.
They’re coming to your class to connect with their breath, move their bodies, and find peace. When you shift your focus from “How do I look?” to “How can I serve my students?” your nerves will fade and you can make big steps toward overcoming your yoga teaching fears.
2. Prepare, But Don’t Lose Sleep Overpreparing
It’s helpful to plan your yoga class sequences and important cues ahead of time, but don’t get stuck memorizing a script. Instead, practice teaching out loud to yourself or a friend (or to your dog).
And don’t be afraid to bring notes to class! The more you teach, the more natural it will feel. Trust the process. Confidence and comfort will come in time the more you stand up in front of the class.
3. Embrace Imperfection
You don’t have to be a perfect teacher. You don’t have to know every yoga posture name or the Sanskirt. It’s okay to make mistakes. In fact, your authenticity and vulnerability make you more relatable. If you forget a cue or mix up left and right, just laugh it off and keep going—your students will appreciate your realness. And chances are they won’t even notice your mistakes anyway.
What’s ultimately important is that you create a safe space for your yoga students to show up. A safe place for them to practice safely and to feel at ease on their mats.
4. Teach Before You Feel Ready
Confidence comes from action. There’s a reason practice makes progress. The best way to get over the fear of teaching yoga is to teach. Start small. For example, offer a free class for friends, teach one-on-one, offer an online class, or assist an experienced teacher.
The more you teach, the easier it gets. The thing about teaching is that it’s hard to ever feel truly ready. You just have to start.
5. Develop a Get-Ready-for-Class Ritual
If you struggle with teaching jitters, create a grounding ritual or pattern before class.
This could be a short meditation, deep breathing, or playing a favorite song before class to boost your confidence. For some, it can be helpful to create a short checklist, too, especially if they are teaching in a new or unfamiliar space.
6. Building Your Yoga Business with Confidence
As a yoga teacher, taking the time to learn to build our yoga business with confidence and working through business-end anxiety can also help you feel more prepared to show up in the classroom or studio. For example, learning business and leadership skills, thinking through how to anticipate and solve business problems, and learning effective marketing can set your mind at ease.
Ready to Overcome Your Fear and Teach with Confidence?
If you’re ready to FINALLY start teaching and kick your fears to the curb, there’s help. You don’t have navigate this teaching and yoga business journey alone. My Get Over Your Fear of Teaching Yoga and Start Teaching This Spring/Summer Bootcamp is designed to help you break through self-doubt, build confidence, and start planning your yoga teaching with ease. You’ll get actionable strategies, mindset shifts, and practical tips that will transform your fear into excitement.
Join the Overcome Your Fears and Start Teaching This Spring & Summer: A Yoga Teacher Bootcamp to step into your power as a yoga teacher!
Click Here to Enroll in the Bootcamp Now
Final Thoughts The fear of teaching yoga is natural, but it doesn’t have to control you. By shifting your mindset, taking small steps, and investing in your growth and business mindset, you’ll find that teaching becomes a joy rather than a source of anxiety.
You have something unique to offer the world and can create an incredible impact on your students—don’t let fear hold you back.
Are you ready? This is your sign that it’s time to take the leap! Get over your fear of teaching yoga now.
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