From Perfectionism to Presence: What Yoga Taught Me as a Teacher

When I first started teaching yoga, I felt like I had to get everything right.

The sequence had to be perfect. My cues had to sound wise and soothing. I thought if I messed up—if I forgot a side, stumbled on a word, or didn't flow like my favorite teachers—I’d lose people’s trust.

But something shifted during a class I led on the beach last year. The wind was wild, my speaker died, and halfway through, I completely forgot the next pose. For a moment, I froze.

And then... I laughed.

I invited everyone to take a breath with me, to feel the breeze, to notice the sounds. And I asked them, “What does your body want right now?”

That moment changed everything. Because the class didn’t fall apart. It became real. Students told me later they felt more connected—not just to me, but to themselves.

Since then, my teaching process has become more intuitive. Yes, I plan my classes. I choose a theme, an emotion, a chakra, a breath. But I also leave space for what arises. I let the class breathe and evolve with the people in it.

Teaching yoga isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being present. That’s what I try to embody now, every time I guide a practice.

So if you're a new teacher, or even just a student navigating your own journey—trust that you don't have to "get it right." Just show up. The magic lives in the moment.

5 years teaching! https://www.instagram.com/p/DKE5W2GutCj/

Namaste,

Clem