Teaching yoga at the gym vs yoga studio

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hi , I just quit my full time job and choose my path as a full time yoga teacher . There is a lot more to learn especially when you are a teacher . I am currently teaching at the gym ( only for yoga ) and studio which is own by some other teacher.

My teaching is always based on more alignment and technique rather than just posing in front of the students . I also do a lot of adjustment and touching the students . I am doing this to both the gym and the studio. This is what my style is I think.

I got a comment from the gym management today that the student gave negative comment on my teaching . They think i am different than other teacher ( I don’t know how and what exactly they mean ) . The comment were : I make them hold too long ( 5 breaths ) , I don’t do it together ( I will do the right side and they will do the left side on their own , giving more time for me to do adjustment ) , they can’t catch up , my sun salutation is different from others ( I did the a and b and I didn’t change anything at all ) .

Not that I can’t take comments . I want to teach because teaching is my passion and put in lots of effort in reading up, practicing with different teacher , discussion in forums and find answer. So my question is : should I adjust my way of teaching at the gym or should I just be who I am . Well, maybe they ate right tho.

However, the students from the studio is different . They keep coming back to my class and the owner has to keep me coz they students asked for it.

Is my first month of teaching full time and I really want to teach till a day that I can’t move anymore . I find happiness in teaching and I love to share and inspire others :slight_smile:

Cass

#2

Hi Cass! So happy for you that you are teaching full time.

just be who I am

You already said it.

Teaching yoga in a gym can be quite different than in a private studio. Those in a gym setting want more of a cardio workout than to experience yoga. Stick with your above answer. Keep your style of teaching if it resonates with you and students will follow.

If I went to teach at a gym, I’d have no students with the way I teach! For me it was never a good fit. I needed the spiritual component. Perhaps explaining to them why the long holds and why you are adjusting them will help them to understand. It takes time to get use to anew teacher. Give them time.

And I’m right with you with teaching until I can’t move anymore. Wonderful, isn’t it?

All the best to you.
Namaste

#3

Thank you Lotusgirl.

Maybe I should explain my style and teaching method when I am teaching at the gym so they know what to expect .

Namaste :slight_smile:

#4

Totally agree with Lotusgirl. Just be yourself. When I was new to teaching I was trying to please everyone else but myself. Now I’ve learned that I am who I am, I love how I teach and so do my participants.

But yes I do explain to any newbie’s the style of teaching that I plan to use for the class. I also explain why I do things in such a way. Sometimes people need to hear why and it’s a another way of teaching them something.

Namaste

#5

Cass,

Yes, I would be up front about your teaching style. You may, at first lose some students but eventually you build a good yoga community. It takes time. Sometimes years. You seem like you know yourself pretty well and are comfortable with your style which is a big plus for your students.

I usually ask my new students to meet me before class. I explain to them my style and what to expect during class. I finish by saying my style isn’t for everyone, so if it is not for you, it’s fine.

Keep us posted Cass on how things are going.

#6

The teacher does not sacrifice their truth for the truth of the student(s).

#7

Well said Gordon. Thanks all for sharing with me your experience :slight_smile:

I have been thinking the whole day and I am just going to be who I am , teach with passion. Is a life time journey when one decided to teach. I know I will improve over time and grow with my students.

Namaste .

#8

Lotusgirl/ Gordon/ Kristie :

It’s been a month as a full time teacher and i am slowly finding my own style in teaching. Self practice helps me a lot in my teaching. I stop teaching at the local gym and i am taking in more private and corporate classes. I am enjoying what i do as a teacher and i am blessed that God gave me an opportunity to teach and inspire others :slight_smile:

Namaste to all.

#9

Yay Cass! It’s soooo good to hear your finding your way and sounds like you’re enjoying it!! I hope that remains for years and years to come:)

#10

Wonderful to hear.

Thank you for the closure.

gk

#11

Hmm…

Well like all things, how we perceive yoga is individual.

I think provided you are not overtly rude, harmful, dismissive or belittling of students, it’s the student’s fault lol… Well not to be facetious, but then if you are acting in good faith, the student should acknowledge that for good reasons/intentions you are not well suited to him or her. it’s also possible that the student doesn’t get yoga culture, as it were, in that teachers’ styles and delivery differ (even amongst teachers of the same style). it’s no different to teaching in a school, university, etc. as humans are all different.

#12

Wonderful Cass! Enjoy the ride!

Thanks for keeping us posted.

#13

Namaste to all :slight_smile:

#14

Its impossible to please everyone, more mind, more problem.

#15

Can I just add that as teachers, we teach who shows up, not who we want to show up. Your truth as a teacher will come through even if you soften your style slightly so that students will get used to it. After all, we want people to show up, right?! it also takes time to build classes and your confidence when you are a new teacher. best of luck to you!

#16

Violetmoonyoga :

Hi there :slight_smile:

I have found my own style of teaching knowing that i can hold a strong class , teaching alignment , technique and flow. Those who shows up in my class also started to adapt to my teaching. The best part is i quit teaching at the gym :slight_smile: i have my own place now and i teach one or two classes at someone else studio and private. I AM HAPPY :slight_smile:

The only thing i need to work on as a teacher is more self practice and understand each student has different body structure ( so i will need to study deeper in order to teach them what is best for them, not expecting perfect pose in each student)

#17

That’s great! Teaching is it’s own practice that both deepens and expands over time. Namaste. : )

Anne
violetmoonyoga.com
Hudson Valley, NYC and beyond!

#18

That’s great cass! I loved reading your transformation as a teacher through this forum. It’s very inspiring. I do agree that one size does not fit all when it comes to teaching yoga. Different people come to the class and they have different types, temperaments and needs. A keen eye will be your key in understanding that.

Keep up the good work!