Question: do I have to be an advanced practitioner to be a teacher/instructor? ​

 

Answer: NO! Teaching and doing are two very different skill sets. Being good at one does NOT automatically mean you are good at the other (for any discipline). If teaching is your calling, then you always have something to offer your students. For example, if you started your fitness journey late in life and have worked for every inch of flexibility and strength, you know what went into your training and your unique experiences provide you with tools to support your students. Similarly, having gone through bodily changes, such as motherhood, menopause, illness, or injury, you can use these experiences to empathize and support your students. If teaching is your calling - embrace it!

 

​Question: I just started my discipline and would like to start teaching, is this okay?

 

​Answer: there is no one answer fits all to this question. As an instructor you should be confident in your knowledge of your chosen discipline, and therefore experience as a practitioner or within the industry is crucial. However, your ability to understand your discipline also rests on your previous experiences and your ability to learn. For example, gymnasts generally have an easier time moving into new physical disciplines like yoga, pole, and aerial because they have a strong background in movement with the necessary strength and flexibility to succeed. This being said, teacher training programs never hurt and can enrich your practice even if you decide not to teach. The best answer is to work with your own instructors, take part, and then see where it takes you. ​

 

Question: I want to take the program, but I don't want to teach, is this okay? ​

 

Answer: absolutely! Teacher training programs are fantastic ways to enrich your own practice and guide you on better training habits and self-training. Teacher training programs provide insight into breaking down skills, creating progressions, and delving into theory. All this can be applied to your own practice!​

 

Question: I am interested in teaching, but I don't want to step on my own teacher's toes, what should I do? ​

 

Answer: this one can be tricky... If your instructors are supportive of your learning journey, and you want to take a teacher training program, your instructors should support you. Learning has no bounds and as much as we instructors like to sometimes think we are the "be all, end all," we're not. Sometimes it takes a different teaching style or method to be successful at something you're working on - so exposing yourself to as many learning tools will only help your practice. This includes taking classes with different instructors, studios, students, and industry professionals. Teacher training programs can only enhance your opportunity to learn, and instructors should support your journey and interests as well. If there are concerns about replacement or income, this can be a conversation with your studio as well as an opportunity for your instructors to expand their experience and portfolio - in business, nothing is static and professional development and pivoting is crucial to any instructor and studio's success. Having said this, I truly believe collaboration over competition is the key to success and strongly encourage students to speak to their instructors/studios if they have concerns and avoid overt competition and misalignment while remaining professional. Our industry thrives when we have strong supportive communities around us.