Tips for Growing and Blossoming as a Yoga Teacher: Teaching from the Heart by Sandy Raper, a Book Review

Congratulations! You’ve graduated from your yoga teacher training. You’re exhilarated, inspired, and—truth be told—kinda nervous. Now what?

One training doesn’t make you a teacher. Growing into the role, applying the fundamentals you learned in your 200-hour really begins after you receive your certificate. In her book, Teaching from the Heart: Lessons on Developing Character, Confidence, and Leadership as a Yoga Teacher, Sandy Raper recognizes that the process can be daunting. She acknowledges the reasons some never progress into teaching and offers wise encouragement for budding teachers (and experienced ones). Her book also shares practical tools for self-reflection and evolution as a yoga teacher. 

It’s Okay to Feel Nervous

Raper addresses the proverbial elephant on the yoga mat by openly recognizing that starting to teach is uncomfortable. By plainly stating this often unspoken reality, she alleviates an anxiety-provoking misconception common to many new yoga teachers: the belief that a finely tuned skill set and a wellspring of confidence magically accompany the receipt of a teacher training certificate. Raper gives aspiring teachers permission to feel nervous, to mess up (because, yes, you sure will!), and, most important, to gradually blossom into the role of yoga teacher through continual learning and progressive skill development.

And she knows of what she speaks. Because, of course, like all seasoned yoga teachers, she began fresh and curated her experience in the classroom. She’s not shy about sharing her own journey—one that is relatable and inspiring to any new teacher.

Real Talk About Common Pitfalls and the Challenges of Teaching Yoga

Teaching from the Heart boldly discusses the less-than-pretty realities that every yoga teacher has faced but that are seldom openly recognized. Any teacher knows, for example, that sometimes, despite your diligent planning and committed presence, the class simply falls flat. Raper posits a response strategy that avoids self-flagellation and instead encourages learning and growth.

Nor does the text shy away from tackling the less exalted motivations that may inspire individuals to undertake teaching. It warns, for example, that teachers can sometimes find self-gratification in teaching rather than privileging service to students. Raper names some of the red flags that may signal a misplaced focus (experienced teachers will no doubt recognize their own occasional foibles here) and offers gentle guidance in redirecting intent.

Raper compassionately but candidly highlights several additional common pitfalls. These are topics that likely weren’t addressed in your teacher training—but perhaps they should be included in a 200-hour curriculum! Teaching from the Heart lays out common perils like taking on others’ identities. She also discusses falling into what Raper terms the “comparison trap,” in which we measure our own skills and worth against the accomplishments we perceive in others. Thus, her insights into developing as a yoga teacher go beyond the technical skills required to teach and address matters of self-examination and personal evolution.

Business Tips: The Practical Side of Teaching Yoga

Many yoga teachers struggle to negotiate the business side of the yoga profession. There’s a tension between marketing oneself to earn a living and connecting with students on a human level.

The book’s tips extend to the very practical business elements of the yoga industry. They cover concrete aspects of the yoga business, like building a mailing list and nurturing a following. However, these tips also emphasize that building genuine relationships is an essential part of thriving as a yoga teacher. 

Not Just for Newbies

While Teaching from the Heart is aimed primarily at aspiring yoga teachers, the text speaks to the challenges faced by experienced teachers, too. Raper offers guidance to avoid burnout. For example, she recommends preserving personal practice time by separating it from time devoted to class prep. 

Here, too, her advice extends beyond the narrow realm of teaching to broader lifestyle topics. She shares five “keystone habits,” five small but significant daily actions that can help teachers thrive in all areas of life—not just in the classroom.

A Must-Read for New and Seasoned Teachers Alike

In Teaching from the Heart, Sandy Raper shares insights born of her wealth of experience as a yoga teacher and as a teacher trainer. She addresses common pitfalls in a straight-up manner and provides actionable tools for self-evaluation and skills development. This honest, easy-to-digest book is a must-read for new teachers nervous about using their well-earned certificate in the classroom and for seasoned teachers who’ve hit a rut or are ready for a leap in their professional and personal growth. Teaching from the Heart will motivate and empower you in the classroom and your life outside.