This pose is called Wild Thing or Camatkarasana in Sanskrit. This backbend is one I really enjoy, especially as it’s a major heart opener, which I feel like I need these days. I have been feeling a little down about my yoga teaching prospects (kinda non-existent except for volunteer teaching, at the mo’.) I’m seeing some of my teacher training grad classmates getting some studio gigs and I so don’t want to admit that I’m feeling a little defeated and perhaps a touch jealous, but I am.
I guess part of the problem is that I’m letting my introverted side get to me. I haven’t actually been pursuing any jobs because I start getting a little terrified that I’m so new of a teacher that I’ll feel a little fraudulent, but that’s just so silly. Everyone’s got to start somewhere!
So, I’m gonna open that heart up to all the possibilities that may come my way and pursue ones that haven’t and get out of the way of my own fear.
I like this hand on heart version a la Kathryn Budig
Renee Esper Yoga 
PhD students often feel ‘impostor syndrome’ so I know how you feel. But you are totes qualified! If we lived in the same country, I’d want you as my yoga teacher. All of your future students will be lucky to have such a good teacher 🙂
Barb!! Thanks for the comment! Somehow, this went to my spam folder (boooooo). I’d totally be your yoga teacher. Maybe you can hire me and I can move to the UK 🙂 I kid (maybe…)
oh, do go for it! It might not all be great and you will surely do things that make you think afterwards ‘d’uh – I’d never have done/said that if I’d been a more experienced teacher’ but there’s only one way to get more experience!
I’ve only taught 6 adult classes and it’s made a big difference to me; I am going to try to do some more ‘subbing’ later this summer to cover holidays.
Good luck!
Thanks for the advice. And congrats on your teaching! I actually did teach a class the other day, but it’s a pretty non-traditional yoga class. I’m volunteering to teach once a week at an arts studio for developmentally disabled adults. They LOVE yoga. It was a really great experience! There is definitely a much narrower window of focus. I wish I could do more subbing, but in Chicago, there is a FLOOD of yoga teachers trying to get into the studios. I just missed sub auditions for one studio near my neighborhood, but the owner says she does another round in the Fall and I can audition then.
Wow, auditions for subbing…that’s just so different from the situation where I live! And very scary. I’m okay with subbing here but nervous about setting up my own class, which I’m supposed to be organising to start by September (that’s our next homework assignment!). It’s already cost so much to do the training and I’ve just ordered & paid for some mats/blocks/belts and I’m like…what if I hire a venue and NOBODY COMES?
If you’ve already been subbing, you should be absolutely great at organizing your own class! I’d say pick a theme or an apex pose and develop small sequences that either fit the theme or prepare the body for the apex pose, then practice on a friend and see if it makes sense. As for subbing in Chicago, competition here is pretty fierce and it seems as if most studios want to hire “experienced” teachers (which is hard to do, if you can’t actually GET a job…) I think a lot has to do with luck and marketing. You are in a GREAT position, if you’ve already gotten your foot in the door, so to speak, with subbing.
How does hiring a venue work where you live?
I am in a remote rural area so I will have to trail round church halls, shinty clubs, schools, cafes? – I don’t know, I need to get creative! – looking for spaces that seem spacious/clean/warm/available/affordable etc. enough.
I feel OK about actually planning the lessons – that’s more familiar ground to me (having been a teacher for many years) than marketing myself!
New things tend to grow/establish slowly here, too, so I may have to grit my teeth, book a venue and keep promoting the class any way I can think of for weeks if not months before it breaks even – let alone makes me any money! Fingers crossed…
So, perhaps the opposite problem to you – not much competition, but perhaps not much demand either! We’ll see.
Marketing is the challenging part! Maybe you could start with intro sessions so people that don’t know they love yoga (yet!) can get comfortable and familiar…Then, maybe offer a class package, which will hopefully make them return repeatedly. With any luck, you’ll build up a client base. Starting out, it does seem quite daunting, doesn’t it? I guess all we can do is soldier on!