During my #virtualbooktour for The A-Z of Being a Successful Yoga Teacher last year I tackled some very sticky issues for teachers. I wrote this in June 2015 but have recently been discussing these big issues with teachers again so here is a fully updated version for you to think about and comment on.
The biggest and most controversial of was the topic of money. I wrote an article for Yoga Trail that sparked a conversation for teachers all over the globe (you can find the original article here).
The fact is, whether you like it or not, as a teacher you are part of a multi-billion dollar industry. Yet, even in major urban centers instructors are struggling to make ends meet. While I understand the cynicism many teachers feel about the current state of affairs, most aren't taking an active role in changing things for the better.
If you pushed me to say what the two most important steps are to change the financial landscape for all teachers, the first be to get clear about the yoga industry's relationship to money.
Who is Really in Control?
There are two vocal camps who insist that making "too much" (whatever that means) from teaching is greedy and wrong. Interestingly, one camp is typically made up of part-time teachers who do not need an income from teaching to pay the bills. Sadly, this has eroded the teaching industry because there are so many part-time teachers willing to work for far less than a living wage. As such, the standard rate for all instructors is lower than it should be in many places.
The other equally powerful camp who dictates much of the money guilt, is yoga studio's themselves. In my early days of teaching, I was told that because yoga was my spiritual practice, I should be thrilled at the "opportunity" to teach at ridiculous hours and walk away with less in my pocket than the gas it took to drive there.
The "teach for very little and teach as much as possible" model took me years to get over, but once I did, I refused to work at such studios. If this sounds all too familiar, take my advice, only agree to work with studios and clients who respect your experience and compensate you fairly.
Communication is Key
Once you recognize the common myths we teachers have learned about money, the next step is to start communicating.
In the past decade, I have listened to my peers complain about feeling undervalued and disrespected and yet they never bring up anything like fair compensation or raises with the people who pay them...until the relationship is broken.
The quickest way for something to spiral out of control in any situation (not just surrounding money) is to think you see the whole picture without giving the other party an opportunity to share their perspective and potentially fix it. It may feel good to rant to your friends and peers, but if you aren't addressing the issue with the other party, guess what?
You are contributing to the problem.
It is embarrassing to think of the number of times I have jumped to conclusions about other people's motives and been way off base. Even at times when I felt sure a studio manager was out to get me or intentionally sabotaging my class, it often took no more than one professional conversation to bring the truth to light, solve the issue and move forward in a positive way.
What I have come to realize is that as teachers we might assume because we can speak to groups of people and give clear instructions that we are automatically good communicators. Often the opposite is true.
The second obstacle for many teachers is effective communication. If you have trouble clearly outlining your needs and expectations or you find it difficult to listen and consider others, check out the book Crucial Conversations for some solid tools to use when the stakes are high.
Above all, remember, the worst thing that could happen by having an open discussion about money or any other issue you may be having is that you get more information than you previously had. At that point you can make a fully informed decision about whether to continue forward or not.
The Bigger Picture
I also understand dealing with things like money and negotiations may be so uncomfortable you would rather keep your mouth shut and hope things change on their own.
Here is why you must not do that:
You are working with other human beings (not three-headed monsters) and the status quo is going to win out until we all consciously decide to change it. In most other professions, the status quo is yearly wage and paid vacation increases, health benefits and scaled pay based on experience and seniority.
Speaking up and being clear about what you need and what you are going to offer in return to the studios and clients you work with is essential if we are to shape a healthy future.
Tweet: Remember Yoga Teachers: "If you can't eat, you can't teach" @aquinyoga
As an instructor you have a responsibility to both your students and to your peers. You are a role model for self-care, personal growth and better health. I would go so far as to say that it would be hypocritical for any instructor to promote well-being and a more harmonious life if they aren't actively participating in ensuring their bills are paid and bellies are full (at bare minimum).
Think about this the next time you feel guilty asking to be paid a fair rate for a class by a person or business that is becoming successful from your work. Take the time to understand the obstacles in your way, learn how to communicate professionally and commit to building a future free from burnout, struggle and stress.
Photo Credit: Stefanos Nikologianis