Leading a Yoga Class for the First Time
@jillybean1222 (6406)
January 31, 2016 9:11am CST
I have this dream of becoming a yoga instructor. It's still a little ways out there. But I think it's possibly achievable. I can't start the process yet, but it is in my head.
I was thinking awhile back that I have no idea how it would actually feel to try to lead a class while practicing yoga. Would I be able to get the words out in the middle of my Vinyasa flow? Would my voice carry? And how about my voice... is it pleasant in a coaching/teaching sort of way?
Well, Friday night I got to have just a taste of what it would be like to lead a class.
My Friday Power Yoga class was informed about ten minutes before class that Rex couldn't make it. A few of us regulars decided to each take about a ten minute segment and lead the class.
I'll admit I was a bit nervous awaiting my turn. Then when the gal before me did EXACTLY what I was planning to do (and i had told her before we started), I started to mentally panic about what to do instead.
It turned out fine. I definitely wasn't the best instructor. I definitely need training. However, it showed me that I DEFINITELY could do it! So Yay! My goal feels a little bit closer now.
19 people like this
19 responses
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
31 Jan 16
Sometimes I substitute for a gym teacher. In high school there will always be a group who don't want to participate. So, I always tell them - join in, find another suitable activity or I will be leading them in Yoga. For some reason that always gets them to find something to do!
Luckily, they haven't called my bluff.
5 people like this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
•
31 Jan 16
you should lead them in yoga sometimes just for something different. Show them how hard it can actually be! :-)
4 people like this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
31 Jan 16
@jillybean1222 Well I did have a few poses in mind from following on TV, but a yoga instructor I am not!
3 people like this
@andriaperry (118793)
• Anniston, Alabama
31 Jan 16
NEVER, I mean never tell anyone what you are going to do because they will always do it first. I am SO glad you liked it and I am excited that maybe now it`ll be sooner than later for you to start a new job, that you like.
4 people like this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
•
31 Jan 16
it was really annoying because there were 4 of us going to lead & we each said what we would do so the others could plan accordingly.... this lady is just used to being in charge i think. sigh. then afterward she apologized. and i thought, well, you knew i said iw as going to do them. i just said, well it did make me panic a bit.
4 people like this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
•
31 Jan 16
@paigea well, i ddidn't do as long of time as i had planned because it made me so forgetful and panicky! :-) thankfully, i do yoga about 5-6 times a week, so I just quickly tried to think what else I like to do.
3 people like this
@paigea (36143)
• Canada
31 Jan 16
@jillybean1222 at least you let her know she caused you that moment of panic. Nice she apologized. I just know that would throw me right off if it happened to me; I don't know if I could regroup.
3 people like this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
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31 Jan 16
I panicked! Then I tried to think what else I wanted to do. I moved to some balance work.
4 people like this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
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31 Jan 16
true! i was thinking during the class that if i were planning to lead a class, i would be much more prepared
4 people like this
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
31 Jan 16
One of my good friends took a year long yoga course to be an instructor and really loved it.
3 people like this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
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3 Feb 16
it can be quite intensive with both money and time... that's why i gotta figure out the HOW for myself.
2 people like this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
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1 Feb 16
well, one of the regulars said he thought the 4 of us did good job
2 people like this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
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1 Feb 16
thanks. yeah, i'm not going to lie, i was a little scared!
2 people like this
@mom210 (9170)
• United States
5 Feb 16
@jillybean1222 I can tell you are excited about this, I am excited for you and I know you can do it.
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
•
5 Feb 16
@mom210 I do feel passionately about it. i just am realistic in that i can't afford it right now. but that's ok. i want to lose some weight first. maybe it will all line up & i'll lose the weight THEN afford it! :-) i'm jogging now which i am really hoping will help me lose weight
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
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3 Feb 16
it would be. and it is seriously my goal. it's rather expensive to get started. so i'm looking at options. AND i have told myself i need to reach a certain weight first (it's achievable... only about 14 pounds away). Because, honestly, my belly gets in the way of some poses!
2 people like this
@JESSY3236 (22245)
• United States
1 Feb 16
I love doing yoga, but I could never be a teacher. I would be way too nervous.
2 people like this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
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3 Feb 16
that's why it was pretty cool to have a chance to see how it felt. i was very nervous, but it wasn't planned. i've asked some friends if maybe sometime we could do a "class" with me teaching them.
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
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31 Jan 16
really? i need to move over there! there are an abundance here. Hmmm....another part of my bucket list is traveling to England. :-)
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
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3 Feb 16
@Auntylou i'd love to have a year abroad teaching yoga!
1 person likes this
@Auntylou (4262)
• Oxford, England
31 Jan 16
@jillybean1222 Yes, apparently all the yoga teachers are getting old now. So maybe you can have a long working holiday here when you qualify!
1 person likes this
@kaka135 (14994)
• Malaysia
31 Jan 16
It's so good that you got a chance to lead the class as your dream, I am sure you did it great! Yes, I believe all of us learn better from practicing more, we are not born to be a good mother or teacher, but I am sure you will be one of the best if you have the desire! 
2 people like this
@allknowing (153530)
• India
13 Feb 16
To reach a level that could qualify you for becoming a yoga instructor says a lot about how dedicated you have been in this discipline. Yoga is one of the best alternative therapies for maintaining good health.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (153530)
• India
13 Feb 16
@jillybean1222 I hope you will soon get there.
1 person likes this
@jillybean1222 (6406)
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13 Feb 16
I am dedicated! Though, I'm not ready to be an instructor just yet. It's my goal!
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
31 Jan 16
It is nice to have a dream Jilly.
I hope that you get to one day do this.
Is that you in the photo?
I am sure you did just fine filling in too.
2 people like this
@Iam_jauntyjen (5452)
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31 Jan 16
Glad that you enjoyed leading your yoga class.Who knows you'll wake up pne day and you are a yogi.
2 people like this
