From Coffee Conversations to Confident Cueing
Why I Created a Substack for Yoga Teachers
"I know what I need to say, but I don't know how to say it," My friend Sandra* lamented over a steaming cup of coffee at her kitchen table.
Sandra was preparing for her final teaching practicum in her first 200-hour yoga teacher training (YTT). With her manual and notes strewn about in front of her, anxiety growing, she couldn't find any advice on how to cue poses confidently.
"How did you learn how to do this?" she asked.
I thought while I sipped my coffee. I had been teaching yoga for eight years, and public speaking skills were part of every Forrest Yoga training I'd taken. It hadn't occurred to me it wasn't a part of every other curriculum.
I know now, having led several 200-hour YTTs, that it seems like a lot of time, but there's so much philosophy, pranayama (breath), asana (pose), class planning, and teaching information to cover that it's gone in the blink of an eye. Plus, 200-hour programs only scratch the surface of yoga's rich cultural tradition.
Wanting to soothe her teaching jitters, I offered, "Let's start with your breathing while teaching. That'll help you feel less nervous standing at the front of the room."
We talked for hours about when to talk about breath, the anatomy of a cue, the economy of words, the timing of cues relative to the pace of movement, teaching presence, and how to weave a meaningful message throughout the class.
By the end of the conversation, she felt more empowered to teach, and I knew I needed to share this with other teachers who wanted to feel the same way.
It's been 10 years since I shared coffee and cueing advice with Sandra at her kitchen table. Since then, I've continued learning, teaching, and leading YTTs. I've also written and re-written a yoga teaching-specific public speaking manual - waiting to find the right platform to share these insights.
Well, the wait is over: Welcome to my Substack!
From Um to Inspiration: Public Speaking for Yoga Teachers
Each week, you'll see musings and essays about the art and practice of teaching yoga. They are intended to be food for thought, not the be-all-end-all of teaching advice. I'll share high-level insights and in-depth articles; you can choose which format works for you.
As a subscriber, you'll receive biweekly newsletters with insights that may spark new ideas to evolve your teaching. If you're feeling stuck or looking for fresh ways to connect with your students, these love notes to teaching will prompt you to try different cues or sprinkle meaningful messages through class.
As a paid member, you'll see articles dedicated to the nuances of teaching yoga beyond the basics. You'll read stories from my experiences that shaped the teaching suggestion shared later in the piece. Pop into the essay archive when you need inspiration or help with a teaching dilemma. Engage with other teachers, exploring new layers of their practice.
No matter how you engage, I'm delighted you're here. Take what works for you and leave what doesn't. And be sure to tell your teaching friends to join this community for teaching tips and tricks.
*Names changed for privacy.