This may ruffle some feathers as an unpopular opinion, but chances are your “yoga teacher” isn’t a yoga teacher at all. There’s a difference between an instructor or guide, a teacher, and a mentor—it’s an evolution, and every one of us starts out as a guide.
Most modern yoga instructors are just that—instructors. They’re guiding you through a series of postures, hopefully cueing breath, maybe a drishti or gaze point, and on occasion offering something deeper, albeit perfunctory, like setting an intention. And guess what? There is nothing wrong with that. Most yoga students come to class for a workout first, maybe gaining some insight or calm along the way. (I see you checking your Apple Watch for calorie burn—no judgment. I do it too.)
As teachers, we all have to begin somewhere. The starting place for every instructor is as a guide—calling postures and holding space. From the student’s perspective that may look simple, but the multitasking and skill required to lead a room safely is monumental. Many instructors remain in this role by choice, out of necessity, or because they aren’t called to grow beyond it.
That said, those who do grow past calling poses begin to step into the role of a teacher—inviting their students to evolve by offering true learning and insight. That might mean guidance through challenges and encouragement, giving adjustments, amplifications, modifications, and corrections, as well as weaving in deeper philosophy, longer meditations, or more advanced pranayama. This kind of teaching can be uncomfortable for some students—and that’s OK too. Not everyone wants that level of depth.
If you’re an instructor in the guide phase, my advice is to be patient with yourself. You can’t leap into being a teacher without logging the hours, investing in yourself, and continuing to grow. It took me years of teaching multiple classes a week before I truly felt like I was teaching instead of just instructing. Growth doesn’t come from teaching alone—you have to keep practicing, keep learning, keep challenging yourself. Take trainings outside your comfort zone. Attend workshops with different teachers. Seek out a mentor and stay connected.
If you’re ready to take the next step, choose your training wisely. Not all 200-hour programs are created equally. At Nectar Flow Yoga, our 200-hour Teacher Training goes far beyond sequencing—we dig into yoga philosophy, anatomy, and the art of truly teaching. We also offer specialized CEU workshops for teachers who want to refine their skills in areas like assisting, advanced asana, or integrating yoga philosophy into modern classes. If you’re looking to evolve from instructor to teacher—and eventually mentor—this is the place to start.
If you’re already a 200hr + instructor looking for a concrete next step to grow from guide to teacher, join me for our Artful Assisting Workshop on October 19th, 12–3pm at Nectar Flow Yoga. We’ll dig into how hands-on assists can truly support students when done with presence, clarity, and trauma-informed care. This workshop counts for 3 hours of Yoga Alliance CEUs and is open to all 200hr+ teachers.