CONFESSIONS OF A STRUGGLING YOGA TEACHER
Is teaching online enjoyable?
I have really struggled with teaching yoga online.
Now I find this hard to admit because I am using this platform to educate and support teachers in their own journeys of teaching yoga. And because this way of teaching, is currently (for the most part) exactly that - online. Something I myself have been finding extremely tough.
How have you been finding it? I'd love to know.
Do you know what finally brought me back to the teaching mat? (Besides my love of yoga of course).
Community.
I missed connecting with my students. I missed seeing the way their shoulders start to relax as they fall into a deeper pattern of breathing. I missed watching them sink slowly into a bolster, eyes fluttering closed, a small smile when they are guided into their favourite pose. All of this is still possible through a screen.
I miss the stuff that's only possible in person too. A savasana massage (giving them, and receiving them obv). Being called over to help someone shift into the best position for their injury or body type. Catching a student grooving out to the beat of the music of a flow, overcome with emotion and off in their own world.
However I realised recently, whilst The Fig's free resources have been all about building and nurturing a community online, that I needed to start practicing what I preached again. That the only way to share accurate, authentic information with my Fig community, about traversing this new way of teaching and adapting to these shifting times, is to live it myself once more.
So, although there is a lot I miss about teaching in person, I intend to bask in the glory of all that is still available when guiding practices online, whilst I lead my Monthly Mellow yoga practices, every other Sunday.
In true Fig spirit, supporting the growth of other communities will be a key part of these monthly sessions. In October and November month, half of all proceeds from class were donated to Naaya Wellness's ‘The Check-In’ initiative, which was founded to promote accessibility in the wellness space through offering free virtual yoga, meditation and therapy services to BIPOC youth.
Community and connection are what is keeping us all alive during these trying times. And I truly believe there is no better way to do this than by tuning into ourselves whilst in harmony with others (albeit virtually), through the practice of yoga.
If you want to join any of my Monthly Mellow yoga practices, comment below or email me on lily@thefigyoga.com!
This week’s recs
It didn't surprise me that two of the five stress-relieving strategies in this round up were practices that we teach in yoga.
I recently started a new day job (yay!) but even in the first week, my screen time has quadrupled. Although, my social scrolling for 'fun' has halved? What does this mean for my mental health? Read on to find out.
This beautiful (yet heartbreaking?!) cover of Truly Madly Deeply always gets me. I'm still trying to find the perfect spot in my yoga playlist for this song because every time it comes on during class, tears prickle in my eyes. Nostalgia is a powerful thing.
A free online mini-course on how to monetize your email list! Sometimes sending emails can feel weird and pushy and salesy. But your yoga students and clients want to know how they can work with you - that's why they subscribe to your emails! Here are 13 simple ways to send an email, make good dolla, and not feel any of that ick.
And if you like how I send my emails, switch to Flodesk. The best email service provider of all time. Here's 50% off your subscription forever. You're welcome.
