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sloyogini	Teaching questions	Lead	[-]
Posts: 8 (10/20/08 21:13:07) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None So I've been mulling over this topic/issue in my mind for way too long and it's time to throw it out there to my fellow yogi's & hopefully Erich too for some advice... I've been teaching in the group fitness format for several years & have always really loved the conection that I've gotten with my students - that's why I teach afterall - I mean I can get a workout on my own time, but I LOVE the connection that I share with everyone else in class - it's amazing, a gift. I've done yoga on my own for quite awhile & just began teaching my own sequencing several months ago and much to my dismay that same connection hasn't been there with my students. I feel as though my content is solid & my cueing is thoughtful, but the real reason I teach and the real reason we love our teachers is for something beyond that. I keep trying to tell myself that it will take time, that my students will find me & I will find them - and there have been classes that are better than others - but I have to admit that I'm beginning to lose a bit of confidence and wonder whether or not this is ultimately going to be the best path for me & for my students really too. I'm wondering to myself whether I should try another studio - is it the environment I wonder? What can I change to make this experience different for me and for my students? How can I make this the most authentic experience for ME so that comes through to my students? You know what I mean? Can anyone tell that I've probably overthought this?? I just really want to pass on to others even a fraction of what my teachers (namely Erich) have passed on to me. I know that's a lot but that's why I love to teach. I would love anyone's advice/tips/anything!
simpleyogini		#1	[-]
Posts: 4619 (10/21/08 12:54:58) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	nice post.... on the overthought remark..... just my two cents sure others will chime in... just know that you will not be able to please everyone....we all expect something different from teachers its nice to see your practice and teaching changing...evolving... same goes for others....they change and evolve too...can't do much about it... people come and go....and life goes on...some want to get more out of yoga...some dont or it may take more time for some also have you asked your students how they are liking the class? if they didn't like the new changes..... would it bother you if you did change venue and started over anew so you can teach the most authentic experience for you...? nothing wrong with thinking and asking yourself these questions....... you have to decide what is important to you... look into your heart.... i would love to hear what you decide....I know where you are coming from.... and can "hear' you speaking from your heart in your post... blessings... sandy We do not need to be the same, or think the same But we can hold hands as fellow travelers in this life.
Sri D		#2	[-]
Posts: 10074 (10/21/08 13:47:32) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Maybe I'm misreading your post, but it seems to me that you are speaking about feeling like you're not really "clicking" with your students...am I off? If that's the case, then here are a few suggestions to engender some sharing... Perhaps you might begin a class asking the students if there are any poses they would like to see included that day. Sometimes I've taught an entire class with poses they have called out, once we got started, that they either loved...or hated! Surprisingly enough, they are almost always the exact same poses...one man's meat is another one's poison, and all that. At the end of class, I always invite the members to come up with any comments, suggestions, concerns, etc.. And, especially, to let me know about any recent injuries. Start (or end) class with each member introducing themselves, and maybe even giving a little history about their participation in yoga. I talk often about our sangha and sharing a feeling of safety and ease within our 4 walls. This one has always "broken the ice"...once a month, I get together for lunch with any and all who would like to join. Great opportunity to get to know folks outside of class. I still get together with members of one of my classes that got canned by the Y a year ago...and many of them email me, as well. All the best Sri
ma data		#3	[-]
Posts: 3137 (10/21/08 16:46:46) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Sounds like good old fashioned insecurity! Hang in there you'll work it all out. I remember leaving a few of my first classes in tears. People were always comparing me to the guy before me. After a while they grew to appreciate what I had to offer, but it was rough for a while. Give your peeps a chance to get to know you and you them. Keep being yourself! Once they get comfortable with you and learn to appreciate what you have to offer it will gel. For those who you can't please, so be it, they will move on. Trying different venues can't hurt, but every time you are new somewhere and to someone, there is always an adjustment period for all involved. Please just give it time, if you are following your heart, it won't dissapoint you. Ma PS Heck I still feel a little insecure teaching right before every class. I could be wrong but I think it's natural. Last Edited By: ma data 10/21/08 16:49:34. Edited 1 times.
ma data	A quote for you	#4	[-]
Posts: 3142 (10/22/08 04:40:22) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Quote of the Day "When you get into a tight place and it seems that you can't go on, hold on - for that's just the place and the time that the tide will turn." - Harriet Beecher Stowe
sloyogini		#5	[-]
Posts: 9 (10/22/08 16:28:38) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	First of all, thanks for all of your words of encouragement/advice...so happy to have this venue to feel safe & welcome say all these things! Sri - I like your suggestions of ways to personalize the class for the students more - it's almost like giving them a bridge to connect instead of just waiting for it happen... And I know some of it will just take time too...you just have to check in every once and awhile and wonder when it may be time to rethink something that doesn't seem to be working, you know? But I also don't want to change things so much in a way that becomes not ME! Maybe I just need some more paauusing and not overthinking?
Sri D		#6	[-]
Posts: 10085 (10/22/08 16:47:57) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	There's the ticket! One more suggestion...You might consider bringing in some of your old yoga magazines to share...spread the wealth around! Susan
ma data		#7	[-]
Posts: 3146 (10/23/08 03:36:24) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I must apologize! I seem to have misread this post. You said you have been teaching group ex a while now? Is that right. So are you new to teaching yoga or just teaching a new sequence? If it is the latter what were you teaching when it seemed to click verses your new stuff? I hardly ever teach the same things exactly the same way, Some folks love the change others not so much. Again if I misunderstood you. I am sorry
kgs63		#8	[-]
Posts: 90 (10/23/08 18:37:50) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	sloyogini wrote: I mean I can get a workout on my own time, but I LOVE the connection that I share with everyone else in class - it's amazing, a gift. I've done yoga on my own for quite awhile & just began teaching my own sequencing several months ago and much to my dismay that same connection hasn't been there with my students. I feel as though my content is solid & my cueing is thoughtful, but the real reason I teach and the real reason we love our teachers is for something beyond that. I For clarification -- when I read this, it sounded as if you are doing the practice with your students -- is this the case? I used to teach fitness before I taught Yoga and you definitely can't do the class along with the students in the same way.
sloyogini		#9	[-]
Posts: 10 (10/31/08 11:53:10) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	So this week is better! I've been re-inspired at the Ojai Yoga Crib this last weekend & went into class this week with an open heart, no worries and ready to have FUN! Although I had been teaching other group ex for the last several years, I think sometimes it can be difficult transferring something that you love (yoga) to something you do for work as a teacher (I just started teaching yoga about 6 months ago) - maybe it's easier for some than other, but I think I found myself thinking too much about the class because I want to do a good job. So I let all that go this week and it was wonderful! I have found myself stuck to my own mat too much as well - thanks for that piece of advice - I got off it this week and connected more with everyone in the room. It's funny how many people came up to me after class this last week and commented on how much they enjoyed class and one woman even said I seemed re-inspired Thanks for everyone's support and advice...
lightdancer		#10	[-]
Posts: 10001 (10/31/08 13:22:30) Asst. Administrator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi Christie! That's great news! It was wonderful seeing you at the Crib. I'm so glad you came up to me after class, because I was only seeing the backs of folks' heads from where I was most of the time and I never would have recognized you that way. Everyone sort of blends together sometimes. It was really fun to see you at the talk on Friday night too. I thought that was the best talk I've ever seen Erich give. I saw a few more people from past trainings at Santa Barbara that night. Anna, from back in 2004, I think it was said, "So, Carie, was our training still your favorite?" It was funny, we laughed and laughed. I see her every year that I'm there and we correspond by email occasionally. It's so fun to connect with people again. love, Carie
Sri D		#11	[-]
Posts: 10190 (10/31/08 15:43:47) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	YAY!!! Way to go, Christie! Sri
KimTX		#12	[-]
Posts: 49 (11/30/08 17:45:52) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I can't tell either if you mean you were group x and NOT yoga, and now group X and yoga, or gym yoga and now studio yoga, or what. So, I'll answer how I first read the post. I'm a group X instructor at a gym, but only yoga, and have no experience in any other group x format. I am not studio. I learned in a gym, and I teach in a gym, but I practice at a studio (and at home, of course.) I would practice anywhere, but I'm currently studio and home. I have, over the years, evolved like nobody's business. My yoga has changed, my music has changed, and my spirituality has changed. All my yoga teaching reflects that. Along the way, I've lost students, and gained students. It's all the ebb and flow of yoga. You change, and your students change. Some will change with you and stay with you, some will leave b/c they are not ready for the change, but you will get new students who never knew you, yet connect with your current yoga. Everytime I morph, I have anxiety about what is going on and about losing students, but it's natural. It's their path and your path. You have to be authentic, and so do they. So, don't stress when you have a drop, it's just a flux. And, that's all ego telling you to worry. Ask your ego to have a shot of whiskey and chill out.
Erich Schiffmann		#13	[-]
Posts: 3428 (11/30/08 18:25:06) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	excellent!

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