After giving so much attention to your training and transformation, you may be wondering “what’s next?” The truth is, there is no one way, but here are a few simple suggestions to use as support during this transition until you settle into a space that feels comfortable.

1. Disregard the belief that you should be successful right away.

Take your time seeking out potential opportunities. It may be tempting to believe that now that you are certified, you should be teaching yoga at the most popular studios, in designer yoga attire, with well-attended classes. However, in my experience when I have approached locations that were not my ideal scenario, it has led me to some of the most unexpectedly rewarding opportunities. The space itself simply holds the intention of the teacher and the practitioners. Trust that you can offer your gifts anywhere, to any amount of people, wearing anything you want. Teaching at a studio versus teaching in your backyard, does not make you more or less of a teacher. Stay open-minded and be creative. You can teach at gyms, yoga studios, dance studios, offices, schools, hospitals. Different atmospheres require different teaching styles, so take some time to reflect on what you want to teach, to whom and why. Acknowledge that you do not have to teach every class nor jump at every opportunity to teach. Begin by trying new things as you settle into what feels the best for you personally.

2. Competition is an illusion.

Yoga is union. Try to avoid identifying with labels, saying “I teach this style. I took this training. I have this many hours of experience.” These beliefs create the illusion of separation. When I first began teaching, I remember feeling a subtle pressure to train more, teach more and do it a certain way. With that came discomfort and a disconnect from the principles emphasized in training; the Yamas and Niyamas. In times of nervousness, uncertainty or discouragement, remind yourself of these principles: Non-harming truthfulness, non-stealing, non-hoarding, moderation, cleanliness, contentment, self study, purification, always seeing the divine in self, and others. Use them as a source of strength so that you may rejoice as others succeed in finding opportunities to explore, to understand, and recognize that we are all in this together. No matter where we trained or began to teach, everyone has something special to offer, including you.

3. Keep the balance.

This way of life is liberating, but it is important to stay grounded. With the completion of a training program there is much excitement and enthusiasm that fuels us in our search to get started. Be mindful not to neglect your daily life and responsibilities. Allow practicing and teaching yoga to support you in being a mother, a father, a sister, a brother, a daughter, a son, a neighbor, an active member in society, a person that requires nutrition and rest, a yoga student, a yoga teacher, and more. Take your time incorporating teaching into your lifestyle, giving attention to equal parts of your self. In the beginning of my career, I also needed to work part-time in order to be an active member of society—purchasing food, affording shelter and transportation, funding additional training. Remember that being a yoga teacher does not mean that you have to teach yoga full-time and do nothing else. You can also be an engineer, a school teacher, a nurse, or an administrative assistant. Yoga is being present and mindful. Asana and pranayama are only a piece of the bigger picture and typically last 60 minutes out of a 24-hour day. Being a yoga teacher also means working and living with others. Be proud, be authentic and remind yourself there is no ideal way that you should be living now, other than being yourself.
And most importantly, congratulations on completing your training! The amount of time and energy that goes into this process is much more than the advertised 200 hours. It is a physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually demanding journey and you did it!

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Author: Ashley Colloton Loescher

Image: Cory Doctorow/Flickr

Editor: Jean Weiss