Use Your Authentic Voice as a Yoga Teacher

Trish Corley Author

How do you know if you use your authentic voice as a yoga teacher? One simple question!

Do You Use Your Authentic Voice When You Teach Yoga

If you wonder if you use your authentic voice as a yoga teacher, I promise you are not alone.

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In all of my years mentoring yoga teachers, I frequently hear people express a desire to find their authentic voice. A few people even enrolled in Power to Lead (my 200 hour yoga teacher training at Yoga Anatomy School) because they did not feel like they found their authentic voice in their first training. 

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At first it surprised me that so many yoga teachers were in search of their authentic voice. I’m lucky. My first 200 hour yoga teacher training had modules focused voice. I’ve also had great mentors give me feedback on how to use my voice to best teach yoga. 

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My teachers and mentors taught me how to use cues that are clear and effective. I was taught how to project my voice so that everyone in the room can hear me. I learned techniques to connect with students with both body language and my words. I’m grateful for the various methods of teaching I’ve been taught that leave me feeling confident in front of small or large group yoga classes. 

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But did my teachers and mentors actually teach me how to find my authentic voice?

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From my prior trainings, I don’t actually recall and modules that focused on “authentic voice.” I recall modules focused on voice training and teaching techniques that led me to feel confident as a yoga teacher.

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As such, I wonder: Are yoga teachers in search of their authentic voice, or just confidence?

I have a lot more to sat on this idea of authentic voice versus confidence and will leave that all for another article. For now, I’ll keep this article short and simple:

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Anything that is authentic, already exists as it is. So yoga teachers that are in search of their authentic voice should look no further than beyond themselves.

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This is how I see it:

Doubt might be covering your authentic voice when you teach yoga. Instead of searching for your authentic voice, search for guidance to teach with more skill and confidence. It’s that simple.

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Not sure if you are teaching yoga with your authentic voice? Keep reading! There is one simple question to ask yourself!

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Not too long ago, I walked into a yoga studio in a town I frequently visit. I’d been to the studio before, but the teacher on the schedule was new to me. When I walked in the front door, I was received a friendly welcome from the person behind the front desk. They told me what my options for class were. I paid with ease and was directed to the room where class was. I entered the yoga room, rolled out my mat, and felt excited to get started. I was still curious about the teacher who I had not met.

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And then the teacher entered the room. I was so confused. They looked just like the welcoming person at the front desk, but sounded nothing alike.

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It was the same person, but if my eyes were closed, I would not have known it. For an hour, I listened to instructions give by another version of the friendly person at the front desk. This version felt fake and it was not authentic. It seemed like they put on a “yoga teacher voice” in an effort to please the class. This voice was a big miss in my opinion. I wanted the friendly and authentic person at the front desk back!l I really wanted was fro the teacher to be authentic.

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So short and simple here:

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If you want to ensure you are using your authentic voice as a yoga teacher, ask yourself:

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Do you change your voice when you start teaching yoga?

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If yes, is it because you think you need to sound a certain way to be a yoga teacher? If that’s the case, you will continue to fail to find your authentic voice. You need to sound like yourself if you want to teach with an authentic voice.

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Your voice may change when you teach yoga even if you aim not to. It may change because you are nervous. Maybe doubt gets in the way? Perhaps you are like me many years ago and wonder if your cues make sense and if students can follow and trust you? This is common! This is actually why I developed my programs at the Yoga Anatomy School. My mission is to support yoga teachers in becoming the best, most impactful, and truly authentic teachers they can be.

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Remember, your authentic voice already exists. You don’t need to search for it. You might need to strip away layers of doubt that cover it up, but it’s already with you. If nerves or doubt are in the way of your authentic voice shining through, let’s work together to reveal your authentic voice as a yoga teacher!

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Right now, the best way to work together to reveal your authentic voice is through the Elevate Your Impact Program.

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This program does not promise that you will never be nervous to teach yoga!

It does promise that you will develop skills to trust your cueing and sequencing, to understand anatomy and know how to answer students questions, and to work with students with injuries. With this knowledge and skills, you will also learn how to harness any nervous energy and deliver a yoga class with high impact that students will want to come back to!

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Apply today to be 1 of just 6 participants in the Beta Version of Elevate Your Impact

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Categories: : cueing, Effective Teaching Techniques