First Impressions: try not to be so crazy.

I have been going to a different studio.  1) because I have 20 included free classes at YogaTree with the YTT 2) because I think its a good idea to see different styles and ways people teach, etc, and 3) because the Groupon was a stupid good deal, and I'm saving a ton of money. 

Im going to a "hot yoga" studio.  I have no idea where these things came from or why they are so popular, but honestly it's harder to find a studio that isn't heated these days than it is to find a hot one.  It is full of lululemon girls.  which UGH.  Kill me.  It's not just that lululemon clothes are stupid expensive and status-symboly bullshit, but because that company and the people who run it are devils and there is nothing yogic about them at all.  Here read this: Boycott Lululemon  (and yes I know they replaced the CEO, that's like Walmart replacing the CEO, not enough to stop sucking ass).  BUT I give all these girls (okay most of them) the benefit of the doubt.  I believe it is great they are doing yoga, regardless of any less-than-enlightened reasons for doing it, and I am glad they are there.  Onto more important issues: I've only gone three times to this new studio, but I have already been reminded on some glaring problems I have with some yoga teachers.

Disclaimer, I'm aware that some of this is coming from the innate fear of change I have brought with me to this studio, and I am trying to be patient as I learn to love these new teachers and understand their lingo, etc.
But here is my advice to my future yoga teacher self or any of you currently teaching out there.

1.  DON'T drip sweat on new students.
2.  DO introduce yourself and ask your students' names.  It goes a million miles toward being someone that person wants to like.  I actually get all anticipatory of the introductory conversation, how I'll smile and tell them that I'm new to the studio but not to yoga, maybe mention my shoulder has been acting up today... but the conversation doesn't come.  They just start class, and they have this stupid look on their face, and I hate the patronizing way they just smiled at me.  (see how the end of that sentence could probably have been avoided)
3.  DON'T be patronizing, even if, no, ESPECIALLY IF you are dealing with a new student who has no idea what you are talking about or has trouble following your vague instructions.  Be very careful, in fact, of even sounding the least bit patronizing; work harder than you think you need to to not sound like you think the person is a child.  There is a very fine line between a soothing yoga teacher voice, and the voice we use to mock console a toddler who just fell on his face. 
4. DON'T overuse unique words.  Even words that were okay once or twice become really outlandish and irritating if you say them for every movement.  I don't want to "undulate" into my up-dog.  That sounds creepy.  Leave me alone.

but DO "Use your authentic voice."

This is one of the things we talk about in my training.  If you aren't you, teaching the class you want to teach, it won't work.  Maybe you'll complete a class, and maybe it will even be  pretty good one that some people enjoy, but it won't work out in the end.  You won't be relateable or human and that can turn a lot of students off.  You won't feel at ease and it will translate to the practice.  And frankly, you probably won't enjoy yourself, so why teach yoga at all?  If you teach the way that works for you and are true to yourself, probably some students won't love your class and won't come back.  That's okay.  If I don't connect with a teacher, it's my choice to not come back, they shouldn't try to change what they feel is important for me to stick around. 

Except the sweating on people thing, check yo'self.


Namaste.