I feel like an imposter most days. Sometimes in my yoga teaching but also as a writer, as a mom trying to appear as if I have it all together etc., etc. The work of Elaine Aron on HSPs taught me that focusing on my strengths can help me overcome that imposter syndrome, including preparation. Whenever I’m feeling less than, I spend more time on my craft to build confidence.
Such an insightful post. I've had imposter syndrome in many areas of my life, and usually I deal with it by just walking the walk (I tell people I am a teacher, and I am a writer) even when I feel unsure of it on the inside. And then I teach and write anyway, until I feel more and more uncomfortable, knowing that those moments of imposter syndrome might (will!) return again. Sometimes I cope with it by thinking of how young children just assume roles without self-consciousness (how many times have I seen a 5-year-old proclaim that they are an artist or dancer or something else without flinching??). How can I be that child again that just believes in these possibilities?
Love this. It's similar to how I've been approaching it over the past 10 years...it's not exactly fake it til you make it -- it's more like convince your insides to believe what your outsides are doing. Because the doing, in so many ways, is the important part! It helped me to read that those with imposter syndrome are at risk for "underachievement." That's kind of the definition of self-sabotage...when we get in our own way so much that we underachieve. Thanks for sharing.
Good morning. I just came across this thread this morning and so glad to read it and all the comments. I am a new teacher… I’ve been certified for about a year. Imposter syndrome shows up for me when I’m teaching a class that has students in it that are very experienced and who have been my teachers. As I’m leading the class I get self conscious about the cues I give, thinking”who am I to tell them what to do” ugh… does that ever go away?
Nope 🙂 I still get nervous almost 15 years in if I have to teach one of my teachers. But know that you are your own unique teacher and only you can do what only you can do. If a teacher is in your class because they are evaluating you as part of your job or training course, that’s one thing, but if a student or teacher is in your class (no matter how experienced they are) they are there because they want to be there. Perhaps there is a way to turn some of that fear into gratitude for the opportunity to share space with someone you admire?
I think it's amazing that your teachers are coming to your class! I know that some of Jason's students in San Francisco used to get nervous when I was there, but I always let them know that I simply wanted to enjoy some yoga -- I wasn't there to judge them :) Having said that, I think that part of coping with imposter syndrome is simply accepting it. It will arise now and then just like all of the other emotions in life. Invite it to have a seat at the table, but remember that you are at the head of the table. Sometimes when we don't fight these things, they can exist in the background without taking over.
Love this. I get these imposter feels alot... not as a yoga teacher but as a super small scale market gardener who often gets the feeling that I know nothing... what do I really know about growing food for the world? But as you say... we are part of a community (of people ... and more broadly an ecosystem!) and we are working together. Love that. I hope to spark a love of growing and eating healthy food for those I cross paths with. I like to see people be excited about where their food comes from :) Thats how I cope.
This is so important! To remember we're trying to pass the spark and to remember why we're putting ourselves out there, in these sometimes uncomfortable spots. I say, good for you, Nicole!
There has been a lot of fraud and abuse in the sometimes culty yoga world of yoga and mindfulness. Many people have been taken advantage of, and worse. Sweat lodge in Sedona deaths, Anusara yoga world (previously), hot yoga teacher training. So glad you 2 are in the yoga world with best interests of students and teachers.
Yep, the cult-y parts are disturbing. So much has come out over the years that continues to shock me. Jivana Heyman and I talk about it a little bit on next week's podcast! I think (I hope) that more and more yoga teachers are trying to be collaborative rather than hierarchical as we learn about these abuses of power.
Thanks for this share Andrea, I too am overjoyed to have woke to this post in my inbox. Welcome back!
I appreciate the suggestion to shift the attention from myself to what my students may be feeling with a pose or coming to class in general. That helps me alot, especially in those times when I find myself fixated on delivering the "perfect" sequence.
I have gained confidence as a yoga teacher through the different trainings offered at Yogaland. But I have felt least confident and I do feel like I’m an imposter when teaching meditation. But I keep offering it in every class because maybe someday this will come naturally. Usually I offer a silent or breath focus. I’m learning so much from Andrea's gentle, inviting approach. I love learning the different ways to offer meditations. Maybe for a book club book we could read “Meditation For The Love Of It”.
I'm so glad you are offering it, Marina! I think it's so important to share with your students and equally important to work with our imposter syndrome. I remember Sarah Powers telling me years ago that this part of myself was simply a shadow part of me. Not necessarily any real reflection of the truth...just part of my subconscious. That was helpful for me to recognize, too.
This comes up for me in different times. When I want to launch a new program or when I’m working towards a pose I don’t master, but still know the value of working towards it.
I feel like an imposter most days. Sometimes in my yoga teaching but also as a writer, as a mom trying to appear as if I have it all together etc., etc. The work of Elaine Aron on HSPs taught me that focusing on my strengths can help me overcome that imposter syndrome, including preparation. Whenever I’m feeling less than, I spend more time on my craft to build confidence.
I have been meaning to read Elaine Aron's work -- will check it out! Yes to building confidence and also to self-compassion! ❤️
Such an insightful post. I've had imposter syndrome in many areas of my life, and usually I deal with it by just walking the walk (I tell people I am a teacher, and I am a writer) even when I feel unsure of it on the inside. And then I teach and write anyway, until I feel more and more uncomfortable, knowing that those moments of imposter syndrome might (will!) return again. Sometimes I cope with it by thinking of how young children just assume roles without self-consciousness (how many times have I seen a 5-year-old proclaim that they are an artist or dancer or something else without flinching??). How can I be that child again that just believes in these possibilities?
Love this. It's similar to how I've been approaching it over the past 10 years...it's not exactly fake it til you make it -- it's more like convince your insides to believe what your outsides are doing. Because the doing, in so many ways, is the important part! It helped me to read that those with imposter syndrome are at risk for "underachievement." That's kind of the definition of self-sabotage...when we get in our own way so much that we underachieve. Thanks for sharing.
I meant, "I teach and write anyway until I feel more and more comfortable...not uncomfortable, lol."
The uncomfortable works too though 😂
It does!!
Good morning. I just came across this thread this morning and so glad to read it and all the comments. I am a new teacher… I’ve been certified for about a year. Imposter syndrome shows up for me when I’m teaching a class that has students in it that are very experienced and who have been my teachers. As I’m leading the class I get self conscious about the cues I give, thinking”who am I to tell them what to do” ugh… does that ever go away?
Nope 🙂 I still get nervous almost 15 years in if I have to teach one of my teachers. But know that you are your own unique teacher and only you can do what only you can do. If a teacher is in your class because they are evaluating you as part of your job or training course, that’s one thing, but if a student or teacher is in your class (no matter how experienced they are) they are there because they want to be there. Perhaps there is a way to turn some of that fear into gratitude for the opportunity to share space with someone you admire?
I think it's amazing that your teachers are coming to your class! I know that some of Jason's students in San Francisco used to get nervous when I was there, but I always let them know that I simply wanted to enjoy some yoga -- I wasn't there to judge them :) Having said that, I think that part of coping with imposter syndrome is simply accepting it. It will arise now and then just like all of the other emotions in life. Invite it to have a seat at the table, but remember that you are at the head of the table. Sometimes when we don't fight these things, they can exist in the background without taking over.
Yes, true! Maybe that was my subconscious coming through and reminding me that sometimes I do bring myself to that place of discomfort, haha!
Love this. I get these imposter feels alot... not as a yoga teacher but as a super small scale market gardener who often gets the feeling that I know nothing... what do I really know about growing food for the world? But as you say... we are part of a community (of people ... and more broadly an ecosystem!) and we are working together. Love that. I hope to spark a love of growing and eating healthy food for those I cross paths with. I like to see people be excited about where their food comes from :) Thats how I cope.
This is so important! To remember we're trying to pass the spark and to remember why we're putting ourselves out there, in these sometimes uncomfortable spots. I say, good for you, Nicole!
There has been a lot of fraud and abuse in the sometimes culty yoga world of yoga and mindfulness. Many people have been taken advantage of, and worse. Sweat lodge in Sedona deaths, Anusara yoga world (previously), hot yoga teacher training. So glad you 2 are in the yoga world with best interests of students and teachers.
Yep, the cult-y parts are disturbing. So much has come out over the years that continues to shock me. Jivana Heyman and I talk about it a little bit on next week's podcast! I think (I hope) that more and more yoga teachers are trying to be collaborative rather than hierarchical as we learn about these abuses of power.
Thanks for this share Andrea, I too am overjoyed to have woke to this post in my inbox. Welcome back!
I appreciate the suggestion to shift the attention from myself to what my students may be feeling with a pose or coming to class in general. That helps me alot, especially in those times when I find myself fixated on delivering the "perfect" sequence.
Thank you, Jes! I always love hearing from you and hope you are hanging in there!
Thank you for this reminder and yay to seeing yogaland back in my inbox xoxo
Thank you so very much, Sarah. XOXOXO
I have gained confidence as a yoga teacher through the different trainings offered at Yogaland. But I have felt least confident and I do feel like I’m an imposter when teaching meditation. But I keep offering it in every class because maybe someday this will come naturally. Usually I offer a silent or breath focus. I’m learning so much from Andrea's gentle, inviting approach. I love learning the different ways to offer meditations. Maybe for a book club book we could read “Meditation For The Love Of It”.
I'm so glad you are offering it, Marina! I think it's so important to share with your students and equally important to work with our imposter syndrome. I remember Sarah Powers telling me years ago that this part of myself was simply a shadow part of me. Not necessarily any real reflection of the truth...just part of my subconscious. That was helpful for me to recognize, too.
This comes up for me in different times. When I want to launch a new program or when I’m working towards a pose I don’t master, but still know the value of working towards it.
Love this! Sharing with our team in our next weekly update!
Thank you for this! I'm a teacher and have felt this way many, many times. This helps a lot!
So glad it was helpful, Jennifer!