Five years into my teaching career, I had a moment that stopped me in my tracks. I was leading a yoga for athletes workshop—my specialty—when I realized something unsettling. The words coming out of my mouth? They weren’t mine. The tone, the phrasing, even the way I was moving around the room were lifted straight from one of my early mentors.
In that moment, a question hit me hard: Who am I as a teacher when I’m not copying someone else?
If you’ve been teaching for a while, you may recognize this feeling. You’ve moved past the early overwhelm of your first classes, you’re on the schedule regularly, and you’re no longer spending four hours planning every sequence. But you’re still not entirely sure who you are as a teacher. Welcome to Phase Two of the Yoga Teacher Success Timeline—the Identity Formation Zone.
The Symptoms of Phase Two
Phase Two is tricky because you’ve built enough skill to know what you don’t know, but not enough confidence to fully trust yourself. Common signs include:
- Teaching regularly but feeling like an imposter.
- Wondering how much repetition is too much—and how much variety is too little.
- Spending more time planning than teaching.
- Feeling pressure to be endlessly creative for creativity’s sake.
- Navigating new, sometimes blurry, boundaries with students.
- Questioning when (and whether) you’re “ready” to raise your rates.
These challenges can feel uncomfortable, but they’re actually a sign you’re moving forward. You’re no longer imitating your mentors—you’re figuring out what’s authentically yours.
Why Imposter Syndrome Can Mean You’re Growing
It may sound counterintuitive, but imposter syndrome can be a marker of progress. When you first start teaching, you might overestimate your abilities without realizing your blind spots—a phenomenon known as the Dunning-Kruger Effect. As your skills develop, you become more aware of the gaps in your knowledge. That awareness can feel like doubt, but it’s actually wisdom.
Instead of seeing self-questioning as a weakness, recognize it as a sign that you’re evolving. You’re starting to hold yourself to a higher professional standard, and that’s a good thing.
Building Professional Systems and Boundaries
One of the biggest leaps in Phase Two is moving from “just teaching” to running yourself like a professional. That means developing systems for planning, communication, and boundaries.
For example, early in my career I had a student who lingered after class to talk about personal problems—at first, I felt honored by the trust, but over time, it took up so much space that other students couldn’t approach me. I had to learn to be warm without overstepping into therapist territory. Boundaries aren’t about being less caring; they’re about protecting your energy and creating a safe, balanced space for all students.
The S.E.R.V.E. Method for Confident Planning
If you’re still spending hours planning every class or constantly second-guessing yourself, the S.E.R.V.E. Method can help. This framework offers structure without stifling creativity:
- Structure with Purpose: Build sequences grounded in sound physiological principles, using the 6-4-2 framework to ensure balance.
- Experience Before Teaching: Practice your sequence in your own body so you can feel transitions and pacing.
- Repeat with Purpose: Teach a sequence for several weeks to give both you and your students a chance to deepen the work.
- Vary with Intention: Add changes for a reason, not just for novelty.
- Evolve Over Time: Adjust based on what works and what doesn’t, letting your teaching voice develop naturally.
The beauty of S.E.R.V.E. is that it frees you from the planning-anxiety cycle while still allowing room for spontaneity when you step into the room.
Practical Tips for Thriving in Phase Two
Here are some specific actions that will make Phase Two feel less murky and more productive:
- Plan Monthly, Not Class-by-Class. Think in arcs. A monthly plan with weekly variations saves time and creates continuity.
- Build a Variation Bank. Keep a list of pose options, transitions, and modifications. When inspiration strikes, add it to the bank.
- Embrace Repetition. Teach the same base sequence for three to four weeks, then make a significant change. Students will appreciate the familiarity.
- Set Clear Boundaries. Decide in advance how you’ll handle personal questions, time after class, and advice requests.
- Specialize in Your Interests. Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Focus on what lights you up, whether that’s yoga for athletes, trauma-sensitive yoga, or meditation.
- Collect Testimonials. Ask regulars for feedback. This not only boosts confidence but will be useful for future marketing.
- Create a Professional Bio and Photo. Even a simple one-paragraph bio and a nice head shot make it easier for studios and students to see you as the professional you are.
Specializing as a Path to Growth
One of the best ways to accelerate your development is to focus on a niche. Specializing doesn’t limit you—it often opens new opportunities. My own niche in yoga for athletes grew out of my personal background in sports and now informs much of my teaching.
Specialization gives you a clear audience to serve and makes your marketing more straightforward. Whether you’re drawn to restorative practices, dynamic flows, or teaching specific populations, leaning into your strengths can help you stand out.
I offer a variety of continuing education courses to help you specialize! These include Teaching Yoga to Athletes, Teaching Yin Yoga, Teaching Balance, Teaching Trauma-Sensitive Yoga, and more. View them all at Comfort Zone Yoga, my virtual studio focused on teacher development.
Embracing Your Unique Teaching Style
Phase Two can feel like a long stretch of trial and error, but that’s exactly what it’s supposed to be. You’re experimenting, paying attention, and gradually shaping a style that is uniquely yours.
Your students don’t need you to mimic anyone else—they need you to be fully yourself. By setting boundaries, using a planning framework, and focusing on your strengths, you’ll start to feel less like you’re “playing teacher” and more like you’re simply teaching. (Or playing!)
If you want a deeper dive into the planning and sequencing strategies that make Phase Two smoother, my Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing program was built for teachers in exactly your position. It walks you through the S.E.R.V.E. Method in detail, gives you a library of done-for-you lesson plans, and offers mentorship to help you refine your teaching voice.
Phase Two is about becoming the teacher only you can be. It’s about finding the balance between structure and creativity, between preparation and presence. And it’s about learning to trust that your voice—your authentic, evolving voice—is more than enough.
