What I would do if I had to teach yoga full time again
As well as being a photographer I am also teaching and I have had a lot of conversations around the subject. My partner is a full time teacher and my best friend just completed her first teacher training. I have given a lot of what I believe is fairly sound advice to both of them, even though they are at different stages of their career.
I love teaching but have become disenchanted by yoga studios and like many I have been treated poorly by some - two instances being fairly recent. I have the privilege to have another skillset I am using to make money but there are many things I would do if I had to pursue teaching full time.
Here are some tips gathered from my own experience but also conversations with fellow teachers I met through my photography.
Short term tips
Create a newsletter
You are an expert in something that provides value to your existing community.
My friend Andrea Shelton created an excellent newsletter - all about anatomy because that's why she's geeking up on.
Whilst social media are very useful to stay in touch with your students, a newsletter nurtures people that are interested in what you have to say (since they signed up to your mailing list!)
Teach online or in a community center
In my opinion it is important to cultivate your teaching away from yoga studios. Teaching online is one easy way to do it, community classes are a bit more faff but rewarding when it works. With winter coming, why not try teaching online when it gets dark and cold?
Medium term
Get some business education
If you have a 200hrs and you are thinking of undertaking another training, I would say look into business education first. I have for my photography and it has made a tremendous difference in how I manage my energy. I come from an artist background and had no knowledge in marketing, accounting, branding… all things that are useful when running a business. You might not see how useful it is if you work for studios, but when you have retreats or workshops and start multiplying your streams of income, it becomes overwhelming and messy.
Find a niche
You probably already know we can't please everyone as teachers. Some of you might even have noticed the more authentically you teach, the more people you attract.
It doesn't have to be very specific, but you have a unique voice and a specific set of people that relate to you. You don't have to rush this process particularly if you are a newer teacher, but it's worth keeping in mind. Experiment with things - even if it means sometimes copying another teacher and see it fall flat before your eyes!
My niche as a teacher is compassionate and playful classes with a (big) hint of self reflection and philosophy.
Long term
Develop your personal brand
But what does that mean?
As my most recent photo client told me : “my brand is my personality”. So even if you are not ready to sail solo as a yoga teacher, hone in on your qualities that make you you. I will make a newsletter about this because it is a tad long.
Develop some courses around a problem you’ve identified
Once you found your voice and your niche, you will have a clearer idea on what your community expects from you. You might be able to identify a problem (pay attention to student’s questions!) and offer a solution.
It can be a series of workshop on asana, a comprehensive course to heal from burn out … your own experience will tell you what's right.
If you have any questions feel free to reply to this email ! I am in no way a business expert, I am simply speaking from my experience - both as a teacher and as a photographer.
At the moment I am directing all of my efforts on photography. But when I feel a bit more stable in my photo biz, I am expecting my focus to shift back to teaching and apply my own advice.