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The Art of the Yoga Teaching Audition

In the increasingly competitive world of professional yoga, simply having a venue in which to share your teachings is an achievement. The common space for the modern teacher is a yoga studio, and whether you are a new or seasoned teacher, finding a “home” within a studio can be an intimidating, but totally achievable, process.

The most frequently used model for the teacher application process in a studio is an audition: an abbreviated class given by the applicant and attended by the studio owner, or manager, or senior teachers, or all of the above.

I am, by nature, a confident speaker (I was in theater during grade school), but I distinctly remember during both my first and most recent audition that flush of nervousness that crept in. Would they find my class offering adequate? What if, after all this training and deeply personal work, they reject me and what I believe in?

Auditions introduce the question of “enoughness” in a big way. Daily life is peppered with questions of self-worth. However, during the yoga audition, our passion, our sense of self, and our potential livelihood all come together in a perfect storm. It’s a recipe that would make anyone question their self-worth.

In order to rock your yoga audition and get your dream job, you not only need tools to tackle the logistics of an audition, but also tools to deal with the question of enoughness.

Here are five professional, empowering techniques that will help you ace your audition!

1. Observe standard business practices – yoga is a business and appearing professional will earn you major points.

• Arrive 15 minutes early to the studio and introduce yourself to the front desk staff, or the person who greets you. Establishing positive contact not only with the studio owner, but also with the staff and other teachers who may not be participating in the audition class creates a lasting impression.
• Bring your Resume. Make sure you have a copy of your resumé with you, even if you have already given the studio a copy beforehand. It demonstrates preparedness and can serve as an immediate reference if the studio owner or manager does not have the original copy in front of them.
•Dress well. Think of the yoga “suit-and-tie” as your newest, freshest clothes. This is not the time to be wearing the sweaty old tank top and threadbare leggings you might use for home practice.

 

2. Reflect on your motivation to teach and what it is about the studio that makes you want to work there!

• Why did you become a teacher in the first place? Journal about this or dialogue with a trusted friend or teacher. When you have clarity as a teacher, you will find clarity in your classes.
• Why that specific studio? Maybe you started your practice there or just love the feel. Know your audience – visit the studio website and research the mission statement, the other teachers who work there, and the people who founded the studio. This knowledge can help you tailor your audition class and engage more effectively with the studio staff and members.

 

3. Prepare! This is kind of a no-brainer, but how you get ready can make all the difference.

• Plan your class and map it out. Having your sequences written down (in one way or another – everyone’s process is a little different) makes them real and subject to review, and will give you the opportunity to think through the postures and refine your class structure. If you have a class-planning template that you trust, use that to assist you.

Practice your class several times:

– The first time, simply practice the sequences and see if the poses feel good in your body and if the energy of the class moves appropriately. Make any adjustments and practice it again.

– Following that, practice the class focusing on your verbal cues, in essence, cuing yourself through the class. Take written notes, make adjustments as needed and practice it again.

– If possible, find a teacher or experienced student you trust and take them through your audition class. Their feedback will be invaluable.

– The day of the audition, practice asana and pranayama, meditate, recite your favorite mantra, read a sacred text. Immerse yourself in the practice that you love and your teaching will flow effortlessly.


4. Emphasize your competency as a teacher, not as an advanced practitioner.

• Keep it Simple. Now is not the time to be teaching one-handed handstand or full lotus. Simplify the poses and focus on broader skills. The less time you devote to complex cuing the more time for your awesomeness to shine through.  If your teaching principles are rock solid, then the poses are secondary. Focus on things like:

– Sequencing. does the class flow in such a way that it is accessible, safe, and enjoyable?-

– Language. Is your language precise and active? Are you speaking in a way that is inclusive and authentic? Anxiety has a way of making us speak in ways that are either too fast or sound forced. Endeavoring to keep your voice at its normal tone and pace not only sounds better, but also helps calm your nerves! Remember to breathe, slow down and SMILE!

– General Form and Theory. Are the students aligned safely and in the basic shape of the pose? Do you have your foundational asana and breathing concepts covered? Now is not the time to overwhelm your audience with all your brilliance – maybe just one or two mind-blowing nuggets to really sparkle!

– Movement and Adjustments: Are you moving around the class and giving equal attention? Is the quality of your touch therapeutic and respectful?


5. Acknowledge the situation for what it is.

• Auditions are never going to be the most comfortable scenarios, for anyone. If you struggle with anxiety, focus on practices that are calming and grounding, e.g. forwards folds and twists, viloma pranayama, etc.

• If possible, design your class to be calming and nurturing. You will feed off that energy during the audition and perhaps even demonstrate one or two of those calming techniques for yourself. This can also be translated into classes that are empowering or freeing. Decide what energy you need and make it happen!

• Communicate how you’re feeling. Admitting you’re nervous or scared isn’t a sign of inexperience, weakness, or being unqualified. This is not a plea for extra consideration – it’s an acknowledgement that you are teaching under unusual circumstances.

This is only thirty minutes of your life (more or less), and it will be over before you know it. It can be a stressful experience, unquestionably, but luckily, we as yoga teachers are well equipped to deal with stress.

Meet this experience head-on as a yogi/ni and as a professional. Emphasize who you are as a skillful instructor and use the yoga techniques you have learned, from asana to meditation to self-reflection, to assist you.

Finally, add polish to the whole package by observing professional courtesies like being on time, coming prepared, and familiarizing yourself with the teaching spot. This will help you stand-out as a confident, conscientious teacher who understands the role of the instructor and will be a valuable asset to the studio’s larger goals.

Good luck, and go rock those auditions!

Have any other thoughts, suggestions, or want to share your experiences? Let us know in the comments below. We love to hear your stories!


About the Author:
joey_GottliebWhen Joey Gottlieb rolled out a yoga mat for the first time, he was depressed and nursing a blown hamstring and an inflamed shoulder. After eight weeks of consistent practice under the eye of some wonderful teachers, he found himself with a peaceful mind, a fully cooperating hamstring, and able to reach above his head.

Since that time, Joey has studied rigorously with the intent of deepening his own practice and refining his offerings as a teacher. He completed his first 200-hour training with master teacher Ellen De Jonge, a student of ParaYoga founder Rod Stryker, in classical power vinyasa. While continuing to explore the Para Yoga teachings, Joey met Boulder icon Amy Ippoliti and her senior student, Tara Michelle. Under their skillful guidance, his knowledge of detailed alignment and yoga philosophy continues to grow. Joey has also studied advanced anatomy and kinesiology and trained in Western and Hawaiian bodywork as well as Reiki, weaving these disciplines into his teachings.

Joey’s emphasis as an instructor is facilitating the embodiment of yoga’s vast spiritual wisdom through the use of skillful physical practice and a light-hearted approach. As the son of two diplomats, he draws on a diverse array of cultural experiences to link his classes to the world at large. Intelligent sequencing interwoven with meditative movement and alignment work are the key features of Joey’s classes.

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