Dear Teachasana: I have trouble following through with my themes. When I plan them out they seem great but then I get nervous putting them into action in front of a class.  Where can I find the confidence to follow through?

Response by Jessica Daniels. 

I know how you feel and experience this feeling all of the time. Typically when I go to workshops I leave inspired with a journal filled with notes of ideas…but when I sit down to translate my notes into classes I feel like I am editing another person’s words. It took a long time for me to see that the classes I was planning were not true for me.

The more genuine, authentically and beautifully-you, you make your classes, confidence will naturally flow. For example, I love singing OM before and after class but the truth is that it doesn’t come naturally. It makes me feel uncomfortable, and the few times I did do it I felt so unconfident as I left my classes that I feared returning. It is just not me, and once I came up with a closing theme that did speak true to me, I was able to say it with the utmost confidence.

I am sure the classes you plan are lovely and I can imagine you loving their flow, but I would encourage you to ask yourself if the classes you are designing are classes you love to take, or if they are classes you are meant to teach. The more authentic the class is,  from the clothes you wear to teach, to the music to play, to the sequence you teach and the words you choose, the more confidence you will have in its delivery.

What class themes do you feel are authentic for you to teach? What themes feel inauthentic to you?

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Jessica Daniels has a Masters Degree in Middle Eastern Politics but an undying passion for Yoga and Healing. Born, raised and trained in New York City, Jessica recently relocated to Boston and is excited about restarting her teaching career. She is the founder of Speak Your Inspiration,^TM Courageous Mentoring for Yoga Instructors. Jessica loves to help teachers get started teaching internally (how you feel) and externally (how credible you are as a teacher). Jessica coaches via phone or Skype and offers free sessions to ensure she is the right coach for you. Connect with her on her website and via Facebook and Twitter.