Five Tips for Newer Yoga Teachers
to Thrive in Their Journey
By Caitlin Lindsey
Towards the end of every Teaching Training Program when the group is close to graduating, I lovingly tell my trainees “This is where it really starts. This is where it gets real.”
During teaching training, you are in the YTT bubble, surrounded by the support of your teachers and your fellow teacher trainees. You constantly get feedback, and although it may be harsh and times, it helps you to grow, evolve, and continuously refine your practice. But once you leave the nurturing space of your Teacher Training and venture out into the world on your own to begin teaching, the real journey unfolds. There will be moments of doubt, and you’re bound to make mistakes along the way—I certainly did. It’s all part of the process. That’s why I’m sharing my top five tips to help you thrive in your teaching journey, hopefully making your path smoother and more manageable.
1. Your Own Practice Comes First
As you transition from student to teacher, it can be easy to let your personal practice take a beak seat. We start to prioritize our teaching and class planning - and our focus primarily shifts to our students. When I began teaching, my own practice became practicing the sequence I was preparing to teach that week.
Here’s my advice: keep your personal practice separate from your class prep. Blurring the lines between the two can create mental clutter and your practice is no longer your own. Set aside time for your practice as a moment dedicated to YOU. Teaching time, on the other hand, is solely for your students. It’s about serving them, not getting in your own practice while you teach.
To show up fully for your students, you need to prioritize your practice. Your ability to guide others comes from staying deeply connected to your own journey, growth, and self-discovery as a yogi. Our evolution as teachers happens on the mat, as we continuously learn, feel, and explore. We teach from what we know, and the best way to know more about yoga is by getting on the mat and practicing regularly. Even if it’s just 15 minutes a day, consistency is key. This daily commitment not only fosters your own growth but also ensures your teaching remains authentic. And when you practice what you preach, your students will feel the difference.
2. Teach what Resonates with You
When you're new to teaching, it’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking there’s a specific way yoga should be taught. You might feel pressure to fit a mold or follow certain trends. While it’s important to understand the guidelines and frameworks that can support you as a teacher, the most valuable thing you can do is teach in a way that resonates with you.
You may have heard the saying, “Being the best version of yourself is better than being a bad version of someone else.” This couldn’t be truer for teaching yoga. Feel free to borrow things from other teachers that inspire you and try out new techniques, but ultimately teach what aligns with your values and what makes you excited to get on the mat.
When you teach from a place of authenticity, your classes might not appeal to everyone—and that’s okay! But the students who do resonate with what you teach will find you and they’ll keep coming back over and over. Your authenticity will resonate more with your students than trying to conform to an external idea of what yoga teaching should look like. When they see you teaching from your heart, they’ll feel more connected to you and the practice itself.
3. Be Consistent as a Teacher
Things Take Time to Build. Period. Especially as a new yoga teacher, you won’t see your classes filling up right away. It’s important to understand that growth doesn’t happen overnight—you need to be both consistent and patient.
Now, of course, everyone gets sick, and we all need to take vacations and recharge. That’s natural. But if you’re frequently asking for substitutes because you don’t feel like teaching or worse, if your classes get canceled often, it will be hard to establish regulars or grow your community. Just as you expect your students to show up for class, your students expect you to show up for class. And they are disappointed when you don’t. If it happens too often, they’ll start to look for other options—another teacher, class, or timeslot they can depend on. I’m not saying to teach if you’re genuinely ill or in need of rest. You should absolutely listen to your body. But teaching yoga is a commitment and a service to your students, so show up as consistently as you can.
Story Time: When I was living and teaching in Ethiopia, I started my own group from scratch. I rented a space and sent out a few emails to announce my classes to the community. For my very first class? Nobody showed up. I could have easily called it quits right there, but I decided to stick with it and give it time. The next class, 2 people showed up and I gave them the best class I possibly could. They loved it, gave me great feedback, and returned for the next session.
Slowly but surely, the group started to grow to 3 students, then 5, then 8, until I consistently had 15 people in my classes, and I even had a waitlist. What made the difference? Showing up, consistently. Building a successful class isn’t about immediate results—it’s about persistence and building trust with your students. Show up for your students, and over time, they’ll show up for you.
4. Be Consistent in your Teaching
One of the most common misconceptions I hear from new yoga teachers is the belief that they need to come up with a brand-new sequence for every single class. But this couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, constantly creating new sequences not only puts unnecessary pressure on you, but it can also do a disservice to your students.
To get a bit scientific for a moment—humans learn best through repetition. When we repeat something, our brain and body can retain that information more effectively over time. On top of that, we’re creatures of habit. Having a familiar routine or knowing what’s coming next provides a sense of comfort and stability. This predictability works for many people because it helps them feel grounded and confident in their practice. Not only does repetition reinforce learning, but it also boosts confidence by making people feel more assured in what they’re doing.
By creating and repeating sequences that follow a consistent pattern over time and using clear, thoughtful cues, you help your students learn more effectively. Repetition allows them to absorb the practice on a deeper level, guiding them toward greater self-discovery.
Additionally, sticking to a familiar sequencing framework reduces the pressure on you as a teacher. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel every time you teach—trust me, the wheel works just fine! By reusing well-crafted sequences, you lower the risk of burnout from constantly trying to come up with something brand new for each class. Consistency benefits both you and your students, creating a rhythm that fosters growth without overwhelming you with unnecessary pressure.
5. Embrace Continuous Learning
Yoga is an ever-evolving practice, and teaching it is a lifelong journey. As a new teacher, one of the most important qualities you can cultivate is a willingness to keep learning. Yoga is vast and remaining curious and open will only enrich your teaching.
Continue to attend trainings and workshops, explore different styles of yoga, and study under teachers who inspire you. Find a mentor who resonates with you, and dive deeper into aspects of the practice and teaching with their guidance. The more questions you ask and the more time you spend time on your mat exploring, the deeper your understanding will be, which will naturally enhance your teaching.
You should never feel like you need to have all the answers. None of us do and that’s okay. What matters is maintaining a beginner’s mind—a mindset that is open, curious, and ready to learn. Being a lifelong learner keeps your practice fresh, your teaching dynamic, and your approach grounded. Stay open, and your teaching will always evolve in meaningful ways.
Conclusion
As you continue your teaching journey, it’s important to recognize that it is indeed a journey and it’s always evolving. There’s no goal or end in sight – just continuous learning, growth, and evolution.
It’s also good to remember that every experienced teacher was also once a newer teacher and they went through exactly what you are experiencing now in whatever phase you’re in. Your path may be challenging at times, filled with moments of doubt, but with each experience, you will continue to find your voice, strengthen your teaching skills, and find opportunities for growth. You have something valuable to share with the world. Remember that you have the power to create a meaningful impact for your students and your own journey as well.
Caitlin Lindsey teaches classes is a trainer in Yoga Moves Vinyasa Teacher Training!
She is also starting a yoga teacher mentor program.
