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The 5 Habits of Highly Effective Yoga Teachers

Just now we pulled a card from one of those inspirational card decks you keep by your altar and it read:

“Success is about the joy you feel.”

Indeed, this is true. And here at 90 Monkeys, we are also very practical about what leads to a feeling of joy as a yoga teacher or yoga studio manager.

A highly effective yoga teacher is, in our mind, a successful one. And when you are “in the zone” as a yoga teacher – joy is the natural result many times!

Success will always mean different things to different yoga teachers; it might mean being happy with your career exactly as it is now or content with how it unfolds organically. It might be about broadening your student base or earning a living that enables you to pay the bills, afford continuing education or even contribute to the causes you are most passionate about.

But common to any vision of success is  knowing what you want, setting goals, and achieving them.

So, we queried 90 Monkeys graduates who were finding success in their careers as yoga teachers, based on the teachings they had applied from taking 90 Minutes to Change the World and asked them how they do it.

We discovered that there are five habits of successful yoga teachers–and the best part is, they’re totally doable!

 

Presenting the 5 Habits of Highly Effective Yoga Teachers (in order of increasing importance):

 

5) They have a forum or consistently gather to get support from fellow teachers.

Successful yoga teachers find ways to connect with their local peers. From getting together for a potluck or a walk in the woods to practicing together at a set time every week, forging relationships with your fellow teachers can help you to derive inspiration for your classes, sound out new ideas, share resources, network, and even find new professional opportunities.

 

4) They take their finances and savings seriously.

A teacher who takes her/his finances and savings seriously is confident, collected, and calm, rather than frazzled and stressed out.

They are less likely to get upset when “not enough students” show up to class, which means that no matter how many students attend, they can be truly present for them.

Successful teachers stay on top of their finances by paying attention to their bank accounts daily.

Set goals for how much income you would like to earn and WHY—knowing the “why” will help you stay motivated and inspired to reach your goal. Are you saving up for a college education for a child, or a contingency account for your family in the event of an emergency?

Finally consider ‘paying yourself first’ by saving 10% of your income every month. This can seem daunting when there are bills to pay, but we’ve found that when teachers put a priority on saving a portion of their income, they find new ways to earn that 10% (or more!) to cover their expenses.

 

3) They practice more consistently and therefore offer more variety and enthusiasm in their class.

Make time for your own practice and self-study! Schedule your practice and study time as though it is a paying gig. Use asana picture books, magazines, and other technologies like Yogaglo.com to inspire you to try new poses.

Use the Yoga Timer App to encourage yourself to hold poses and/or practice for a set time without fail. Practice the sequence that you plan on teaching your students before class to see how it flows.

 

2) They view their yoga teaching as a profession rather than a hobby.

Never forget that teaching yoga is a great honor. People are paying you for the education you offer. They want to trust you.  So, say this out loud, right now: “I am a yoga professional.” Own it! Make sure you stay current with all of your studies, trainings, and market trends.

 And the number one habit is…

1) They consciously give more attention to their relationships with their students, studio staff, colleagues, and other teachers.

Students come to yoga for all kinds of reasons, but one thing they all have in common is a desire for community and connection. One of the great services you can do as a yoga teacher is facilitate that sense of connection. 

Extend the conversation with your students both in the classroom and beyond—make yourself available to them before and after class, and take the time to converse with them.

Go the extra mile and do the “unexpected” with your students—write them a thank you card, or give them a poem they can take with them after class.

And don’t forget the folks you work with! Be helpful around the studio and extra warm and appreciative towards support staff.

 

What have you done that has helped you boost your career as a yoga teacher? Leave us a comment below. We’d love to hear from you!

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