3 Ways to Stay Grounded as a Yoga Teacher

As a new yoga teacher, there’s a LOT to think about and keep track of when you show up to teach a class. It can be a little overwhelming, to say the least!

• What modifications do I need to offer my students?

• Will I remember all the cues?

• Are there poses in my sequence that I should change or reorder?

• Am I going to lose track of the right side and left side mid-class? ;)

• Do I know how to control the music, air, lights, and computer system here at the studio?

• Why am I so nervous?

Whatever questions are coming up for you when you show up to teach, just take a moment to s-l-o-w down and breathe.

Here are a few other quick ways to ground your energy during a class:

• Get them in child’s pose. Transition the class into the resting pose and then take a moment for yourself to gather your thoughts and be present.

• Feel your feet on the ground. Goddess pose (malasana/squat) and mountain pose are great options as the teacher. Be in your own pose and feel it! You have control of your energy— remember that!

• Stand somewhere in the middle of the room and do a pose with the class. I like to cue warrior 2 and then come into the pose along with the group. You can also do this from your mat up at the front of the room, but it’s a different feeling (and, in my opinion, really empowering) trying it off your mat just immersed in the group of students. Feel the energy in the room and how you’re all creating a group experience with a foundation of support and trust. Breathe into that.

Yoga teachers — I’d be curious to hear, what other techniques do you use to help stay grounded during a class?

PS Here are a few other posts you might enjoy as you’re getting your groove down with your teaching:

Meditations for feeling grounded in your body.

Yoga poses and mantras to help you feel grounded.

What to say when you’re teaching a yoga class.