Am I Good Enough? SPOILER - Yes You Are!
When you attend a yoga class, have you ever thought about what it is like to be at the front of the class as the teacher? Maybe you already are a teacher and know exactly how much courage it takes to put yourself out there in front of your class. Have you ever thought I would love to do that but I don’t know if I can. Even after 7 years of teaching, every now and again I still get nervous. What if they don’t like the new sequence? What if I say something stupid? What if I suddenly forget everything?
When I first started teaching I felt this pressure to be the perfect teacher for everyone in the room. I wanted to be dynamic for the fitness fanatics, calming for those who were nervous, I wanted to be able to answer every question perfectly. I wanted everyone to have the best experience in class they could possibly have. I realised quite quickly that you can never be everybody’s cup of tea. Also by aiming to be some kind of yoga teaching chameleon, imagining what each of my students wanted me to be, I was staying in my head and unable to actually demonstrate what I was trying to teach - how to drop into yourself and listen to your body and your heart.
I made a decision to teach the class I would have wanted to attend and listen to my heart. I know how much I enjoy someone creating a safe space for me, how I love that feeling of coming home to myself, that balance of movement and rest; surrendering to the experience. If someone is after a fast moving vinyasa flow or a very bendy ashtanga practice, I am not the teacher for them and that is ok.
In my classes I am able to introduce people to the benefits of mindfulness, breath-work, accessible asana and deep rest as well as sharing my passion for antenatal education and making informed choices. Every time I get on the mat to teach, I benefit too, not just from the physical and mental benefits of the yoga practice, but from that unique satisfaction of doing something I love, something I believe I was meant to do.
I might not be the perfect teacher for everyone but I can be a good enough teacher for enough people to make a difference. I am Enough!
When I think of all of the things that almost stopped me from training I realise I was creating barriers to try and protect myself from failure. It takes courage to be brave and put yourself out there. I told myself I wasn’t strong enough or flexible enough, I didn’t practice enough in between the weekly class I attended. What if I spent money on training and no-one ever came to my classes. How embarrassing that the world, my friends and family, would see I tried and failed.
What eventually won out against all the doubting internal voices was the one enduring voice that said “What IF…”. What if I could make it work - I could really have the career of my dreams. What if people did like my classes and I got to make a living out of sharing my passion. What if I am needed in my community to do this work. What if I can enjoy being at home with my family and be my own boss. And the big one - What If I don’t try and I never know if it would have worked and I have to live with that regret. That is the one that got me in the end.
So if you think you are ready to finally take that step and join the LushTums Team then get in touch and we will hold your hand every step of the way if that’s what you need. Whether you are an existing yoga teacher struggling to make that jump into teaching or like I was, a Mum looking for a new career or a passionate birth worker looking to add another string to you bow and bring in some more income, get in touch and find out if we are the right training for you.
By Clair McGill - LushTums Bristol & Director of Development
