How to be Authentically Woo Woo
How do we infuse spirituality into our classes and is there a right amount? How much is too much?
In my power yoga teacher training, we explored everything from the solid, tangible aspects of the practice to more abstract, metaphysical components. During a discussion on how to lead yoga classes, we touched on the somewhat evasive subject of being authentic, especially in terms of how, when, and whether or not to infuse spiritual aspects of the practice into our classes.
I’ve taken classes from instructors with teaching styles that span the entire spectrum. I’ve seen teachers who focus solely on the physical, I’ve enjoyed teachers who are super-duper woo-woo, and I’ve experienced a lot of teachers who are somewhere in-between. I’ve observed as teachers develop their own style, incorporating more spiritual aspects into their teaching over time as they feel comfortable.
A few questions about spirituality came up during teacher training. How do we infuse spirituality into our classes? Is it ever too much or inappropriate? Should we water it down, or lay it on real thick? Is there a magic formula for offering the perfect amount of woo-woo?
The answer is, there is no answer. There is no right or wrong, only our own truth—our unique voice. What is right is relative, and is entirely dependent on you, the instructor. You don’t have to choose between physical and spiritual, or follow a recipe for infusing your classes with the right amount of either. You just need to be real and be true to your authentic self. When you find your authentic voice and teaching style, the students will come. Students resonate the most with a teacher who is genuine.
So what exactly does it mean to be authentic, and how do we do it?
Being authentic means being true to yourself, your values, and who you really are inside. When you can do that, you vibrate at a higher frequency, feel more comfortable in your own skin, and radiate acceptance and confidence.
Being authentic is easy. We’ve all heard the old adage that you don’t have to get your story straight when you’re telling the truth. When you’re being yourself, you don’t have worry about how to act, or what to say, or how others perceive you. You can hone a new level of self-confidence where old insecurities that no longer serve you naturally fall away.
Being authentic is something you can learn to do. Just like yoga, it's a practice. Practice kindness, non-judgement, acceptance, mindfulness, and allow yourself to be present in your everyday life. We all have an inner voice that pulls us toward our own truth. Sometime we just have to learn to quiet all the other noises in order to hear it.
You can start being more authentic at any time. It is never too late. You can start with setting your intention and cultivating a willingness to change. Often we get comfortably stuck in our ways, perpetuating thoughts, patterns, or choices that seem hard to let go of. Setting your intention to be a good first step toward opening to new experiences, even new ways of being you.
Being authentic means trusting your intuition, and doing what feels right to you. Don’t teach your class the way you think you should. Instead teach it in a way that feels right. If you just love to open class with chanting and live music, go for it. But if you’re doing it because you think that’s what people expect, don’t. People can sense inauthenticity and it can ruin any sense of connection they may have had with you.
Being authentic is possible, easy, rewarding, and attractive. Being authentic as a yoga instructor will help you attract the right students and set you up for success as a teacher. After all, wouldn’t it be nice to just get to be you?
