A Shift You May Not Expect
The rise in popularity of becoming a yoga teacher is quite evident. Everyone seems to want to learn and teach yoga. Many people join yoga teacher training to deepen their personal practice. It’s quite natural to do so after learning yoga for so many years, the next step is to teach others. But practicing yoga and teaching the same is not the same thing. The way you relate to yoga, your body, and even time on the mat starts to change. This is normal, and every new teacher experiences it in their own way.
Today, we are going to look closely at how teaching yoga often changes your personal practice and why you should stay connected to your own growth.
1. Your Focus Shifts From Feeling to Planning
Before teaching, your practice was probably personal, guided by how you felt that day. You might’ve followed your breath, moved freely, or stayed longer in poses that felt right.
As a teacher, your focus shifts. You begin to think like an instructor:
- How do I sequence this class?
- What if someone has a knee issue?
- Will this transition feel natural for my students?
This is part of becoming a professional. However, over time, you may notice that your personal practice is becoming more analytical and less intuitive. It’s important to create space for both.
Tip: Schedule time for your own practice without planning, without teaching, just moving for yourself.
2. You Might Practice Less (And That’s Okay)
Before you started teaching, you probably had a more routine. After YTT, especially when teaching multiple classes, your energy shifts.
Many new teachers think teaching counts as practice. But teaching and practicing are not the same. When teaching, focus on others. Your role is to observe, guide, and hold space. You may demonstrate some poses, but it’s not the same as being present in your own breath and body.
It’s normal if your own mat time decreases in the early months. Try not to feel guilty about it. Teaching takes time and energy. Be patient with yourself as you adjust.
3. You Learn More About the Basics
Interestingly, teaching often returns you to the basics of yoga. As you explain alignment in Downward Dog or breathing in Tadasana, you begin to understand those poses in new ways.
You may have rushed through certain parts before, but now you slow down because you have to teach it clearly to someone else. This can lead to a deeper appreciation for the basics.
In a way, becoming a teacher forces you to improve your own understanding. That’s a valuable part of the process.
4. Your Mindset Evolves
Your reason for coming to the mat may shift. Earlier, it might’ve been for stress relief, physical fitness, or emotional healing. Now, as a teacher, your role carries more responsibility.
You may feel pressure to “look the part” or to keep your practice perfect. But remember, students don’t need a perfect teacher. They need someone authentic and consistent.
Your personal practice becomes a place to stay grounded, not to impress others, but to reconnect with why you started yoga in the first place.
5. You Need Boundaries Between Teaching and Practicing
Over time, it helps separate your teaching and personal practice. That way, you maintain balance and avoid burnout. Here’s how:
- Set clear times for your own practice, even just 20 minutes a few times a week.
- Attend classes as a student to stay inspired and feel what it’s like to be guided.
- Keep a practice journal – note what’s working, what you miss, and how you’re feeling.
These steps can help you stay connected to your personal journey while you grow as a teacher.
Closing Thoughts
Becoming a yoga teacher is undoubtedly a powerful step because it is going to change your relationship with the practice. You move from being a student to a guide. This transition comes with new opportunities and challenges. So, it’s important to stay in touch with your own experiences, so that you can teach with clarity and honesty. You must be a committed student to be a good teacher.
Your personal practice is your foundation. Keep returning to it.