My experience of Yoga Therapy compared to teaching Yoga

Sun appearing through the clouds

Since beginning my case studies in Yoga Therapy I've noticed how quiet my mind seems to be compared to previous Septembers when I was teaching yoga. September is always a busy time for yoga teachers as everyone is wanting to get back to routine after the holidays or wanting to start something new as that 'Back to School' feeling kicks in.

During this time I would have been busy planning lessons for the term, even practicing sequences as part of my own practice I was thinking about how to teach it and I realised how much it kept me in my head. The constant thinking about lesson planning and whether the postures were difficult enough, whether I was including enough sun salutations, was I meeting their expectations, would I have enough to say? Am I good enough? Will anyone turn up? Will I have enough students to cover the room hire let alone make any money for myself?

It was exhausting and I felt constantly on edge. I know this was just my experience and I have my own inner critic and samskaras which I am more aware of now but I think they are quite common.

What I have found with Yoga Therapy is that there is nothing to plan. There are no postures or sequences that I am trying to include in the sessions in order for students to feel that they have 'done' something. With Yoga Therapy it is a collaboration with the client. It is a journey of discovery and an unfolding of the body processes. I can't plan for what may happen, I can only observe what is happening and react accordingly. Which is a little scary in itself as it is the unknown and we don't know what may happen. By attuning to her body and nervous system I can make suggestions for what may be helpful. To find ways for her to experience greater awareness of her body and the sensations.

The quality of my presence is the most important thing rather than how challenging the lesson plan is. My ability to be present and how effective my ability to listen to her and to my own intuition comes from how resourced I feel in myself. If I am well rested, nourished and relaxed I am able to give more to others.

I recognised that not all yoga teachers find teaching a class challenging and it can be possible to not plan classes and can react to the energy of the room spontaneously. It is possible for yoga teachers to speak extemporaneously and I think that if you are more inclined to extroversion then this can be an easier skill.

After having read 'Quiet' by Susan Cain recently it helped me to realise why introverts may struggle with public /group speaking more than extroverts and it is just that our brains may work in different ways. I find that faced with a room of people looking at me I can feel self-conscious and tongue tied as I am taking in more information about the people around me and my energy is more scattered. I can lose focus on what I was going to say by small changes in facial expressions, different moods, a look - I'm taking it all in and processing it.

By working with someone individually I can concentrate on just one person; my attention is not scattered. I don't get stage fright and feel like I have to perform. I can just be me and thrive with the skills that come more easily to me - attuning to her nervous system, reading micro-changes in breath, energy and trusting my intuition about what is needed.

This is a journey of discovery for me and one I am looking forward to discovering more.