Hi there yoga teacher!
I’ll bet since March of 2020, you’ve done at least a little bit of online learning since everything pretty much shut down due to the pandemic. Well, if that’s the case, let me ask you something: How has online learning been going for you? Do you feel like you’re able to learn equally as much as when you are in person? Think about a topic you might want to explore more so that you can be a better teacher; anatomy, let’s say, since that’s my specialty. Have you invested in an online program and how did it go? You can add your comment below.
I recently opened enrollment to my Yoga Anatomy Blueprint Learning Program and one of the teachers considering it said that they had not been successful at online learning because they needed more structure. It got me thinking that as much as I love to learn online, there might be teachers out there who are struggling to learn in this format and who are used to having the structure of in-person learning. Keep in mind; anyone can learn online and there are actual advantages to it! It can just be helpful to have a specific approach. Let me share a few ideas:
If you think you’re “the type of person who can’t learn online,” take look at where you get that identity from. Is it something you recall from childhood or when you were in school? Did you have projects you didn’t complete? Do you feel like you are the type of person that never can finish a project or program unless you have lots of hand-holding and support? Explore where this identity comes from first.
Then, ask yourself, “Are there things that you have completed successfully?” I’m a huge proponent these days of showing up live for workshops instead of watching the replay. Because so much is online, the mindset to just “watch the replay” has become the standard approach, even if you’re available when the workshop is actually happening. While I love that people are living their life and fitting things in, there’s something to be said for showing up when the workshop is being held. You’ll find you feel great and then you don’t have the pressure of finding time to watch the replay! And, this counts as “getting it done,” so for those of you out there who feel like you never get anything completed, you can check the box on this!
So, take a look at using that approach for new learning and also see if you can recall any other programs or trainings you HAVE completed and give yourself a pat on the back for it. Once you start to identify these things, it cracks a hole in your thought that you never get anything done. This starts to loosen your attachment to that identity we talked about earlier.
Next, use the idea of “chunking things out” as a way to make it more manageable. If you enroll in an online program, the course part is definitely going to have chapters or modules. Give yourself a week to do a module or even less, depending on its length. Set dates in your calendar. As you start to map it out, you’re essentially creating mini-milestones that you can set as targets. As you reach each milestone, give yourself credit and a small reward. Teachers in my program get a workbook that walks them through this process and gives them the structure to chunk out the program. I also have a Learning Rewards Program where I give teachers back money at each coaching call so they are earning money as a reward along the way.
When you look at an online program, be sure it’s one that includes live support. Don’t invest in a program that’s just a course. If you do, you’ll be 100% on your own to do it, complete it and be sure you’re learning from the course. Chances are, if you’re like most people, you’ll buy it, start going through it and then after a week or so, you’ll lose steam and it’ll never get done. You’ll never gain the learning and you’ll have wasted your money. Be sure the program you buy has live support. Teachers in my program get anytime support from me and coaching calls that keep them on track.
Finally, be sure you don’t lose sight of why you want to learn in the first place! If you’re looking at online learning, it must be to fill in a learning gap you have. For teachers who consider my program, the reason is usually because they lack confidence in teaching and they can tie it back to not understanding anatomy. So, in this case, I encourage them to keep in mind that THAT’s what they’re going to gain by enrolling. So rather than thinking about the time it will take to complete it, think about how you’re going to shift and transform as a result.
If you’re interested in getting on the wait list for my program, click here.
Also, come to class! I host weekly free 30 minute yoga classes. Sign up here.
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Thanks for reading!