Someone just told you that your class was too fast. Your heart sinks to your stomach. Then, another student came and said that they couldn’t follow your instructions. I’d like to welcome you to the wonderful world of feedback.
Here’s the thing about teaching yoga. Everyone has opinions. Some people love slow flows. Others want to sweat buckets. You can’t make everyone happy, and trying will drive you crazy.
But feedback isn’t your enemy. It’s actually your secret weapon for getting better. The trick is to know which comments to consider seriously and which ones to ignore.
Spotting Patterns in the Noise
Listen carefully when multiple people say the same thing. If three students mention that your music was too loud, turn it down next time. When several people can’t hear your voice, speak up. These patterns matter more than one-off complaints.
Take notes after every class you teach. Write down what students said while it’s fresh. Your yoga teacher training in Bali probably didn’t cover this part. Real teaching happens in these messy moments.
Some feedback stings worse than others. I know it hurts when someone says your class is boring. But, remember that their feedback is based upon one hour of class. They are not pointing at your entire worth as a human.
You can avoid harsh feedback by asking your students specific questions like, “How did that sequence feel?” instead of “Did you like class?” Specific questions give you actionable information instead of vague responses.
Learning from the People Who Show Up
Your regulars will give you the most honest feedback. They’ve seen you teach multiple times. They notice when you’re improving or sliding backwards. These people become your unofficial advisors.
Negative feedback hurts, no doubt, but it hurts even more when you are already doubting yourself. Some days, you’ll want to quit after one critical comment. Sleep on it first. Things always look different in the morning.
Write down the positive feedback too. Students often mention small things that made their day better. Keep these comments for the rough patches. You’ll need them later.
Some people complain just to complain. They find problems everywhere they go. Don’t let these energy vampires drain your teaching confidence. Focus on students who want to be there.
You’re Not Meant for Everyone
Your teaching style may not resonate with everyone. That’s normal. Find your people and serve them well. Let the others find teachers who match their preferences.
Ask experienced teachers how they handle criticism. Most have horror stories from their early days. Their perspective helps you realize that negative feedback doesn’t mean you’re failing.
Feedback from your yoga teacher training Bali instructors felt different in some way. They were teaching you. Now students are paying you. The dynamic shifts completely when money changes hands.
Keep Perspective and Stay Grounded
Sometimes students prefer to give feedback through their actions instead of saying things. They stop coming to your classes. They check their phones during savasana. These silent messages speak loudly if you’re paying attention.
Also, there is no need to change everything based on one person’s opinion. Wait for patterns to be clearer before making major adjustments. Any knee-jerk reaction could make things worse.
When you receive feedback from others, thank them, even if they are highly critical and rude. They took time to help you improve. Consider it a gift, though it may not feel like one initially.
You can create a system to process feedback regularly. Some teachers check the feedback received weekly while others on a monthly basis. So, you need to find a rhythm that works for your personality.
Lastly, remember why you started teaching in the first place. You should offer everything you have learned. It doesn’t matter if you are not perfect in some of the poses; just be genuine with your teaching approach, as recommended by primesmagazine.
