The Unexpected Journey of a Modern Yoga Teacher: Wearing All the Hats (Except a Lawyer's)
When I first signed up for yoga teacher training years ago, I had this clear vision of deepening my own practise. Later this vision turned into the idea of myself leading peaceful classes, helping students improve their practice, and maybe even perfecting my downward dog along the way. Little did I know, I’d also be signing up to become a full-time videographer, photographer, bookkeeper, content creator, and social media strategist—basically everything except a lawyer! 😂
The Many Hats of a Yoga Teacher?
Let’s be honest: being a yoga teacher today involves a lot more than just teaching yoga. The landscape has changed dramatically, especially in the age of social media and digital content. And while it’s incredibly rewarding to share the practice with a wider audience, it also means juggling multiple roles at once.
Here’s how my yoga classes have evolved into three distinct types:
1️⃣ The "Just for Me" Class: No Cameras, Just Practice
This is the class I take for myself—no cameras, no audience, just pure, unfiltered yoga. It’s my personal time to connect with my practice, recharge, and remember why I started this journey in the first place. This is where I can truly be present, without the need to capture every pose or think about how it will look on social media.
2️⃣ The "For the Camera" Class: 'Cause Content is King
Ah, the content creation class! In this session, the yoga mat becomes a stage, and every pose is carefully curated for the camera. It’s a different kind of mindfulness—making sure the lighting is just right, the angles are flattering, and the flow is visually engaging. It’s all about sharing the practice with my online community, but let’s be real, it’s also about keeping up with the ever-growing demand for fresh content.
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3️⃣ The "In-Person" Class: No Cameras Allowed, Just Teaching
This is where the magic happens—the offline class where it’s just me and my students, fully focused on the practice. No cameras, no distractions, just a room full of people moving and learning together. It’s in these classes that I feel most connected to my students, and where I can focus solely on guiding them through their practice.
The Balancing Act
Balancing these three types of classes is no small feat. Each one requires a different mindset and skill set, and it can be challenging to switch between them. There are days when I feel like I’m wearing too many hats at once, and I wonder how other yoga teachers manage it all.
But honestly, I can’t complain—I love every part of it, from the teaching to the content creation! It’s a joy to share my passion with others, whether it’s through a camera lens or in person. That said, there are definitely times when I just need to roll out my yoga mat, be alone with my practice, and forget the cameras exist.
How Do You Manage It All?
To my fellow yoga teachers out there: how do you manage all these roles? How do you balance the demands of being a teacher, content creator, and everything in between? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks—let’s help each other out! After all, we’re all in this together, trying to find our balance on and off the mat. 🙏
Thank you for joining me on this journey, and remember—whether you’re in front of the camera, behind it, or somewhere in between, the most important thing is to stay true to yourself and your practice.
