5 Pillars of Powerful Teaching with Sheri Fisher & Lori Holden
Yoga teachers are often seeking ways to feel more comfortable, confident, and effective in their work teaching and as yoga professionals. Sheri Fisher and Lori Holden share the five pillars of powerful teaching to help us become better yoga teachers and professionals.
Sheri is an experienced yoga teacher who helps yoga teachers build confidence to bridge the gap between their Yoga Teacher Training and teaching extraordinary classes with ease and grace. Through professional coaching and group facilitation, she helps executives build their leadership bench, promote teamwork, and develop strategic plans to meet their organization’s mission. Lori has been practicing yoga since 2007 and is a connoisseur of truly inspiring yoga teachers. Lori is an adoption coach and expert in the complexities of adoption. She applies the principles of yoga in parenting her own two young adults (one with special needs), a lifelong journey that requires balance, flexibility, strength, and stability, and helps others to do the same.
Sheri and Lori share more about their new book Standing Room Only: How to be THAT Yoga Teacher, The 5 Pillars of Powerful Teaching from the Root to Rise Yoga Teaching Method. The book focuses on how to connect with your authentic inner teacher through Communication, Character, Connection, Commitment, and Consideration and Sheri and Lori share more about each of these pillars.
Two lucky podcast listeners will also get to win a copy of the book, so be sure to listen till the end to find out how to enter the draw!
Key Takeaways:
[2:14] Shannon introduces her guests for this episode – Sheri Fisher and Lori Holden.
[6:43] What is the work that Sheri does and who does she do it for?
[8:08] What does Lori do and who does she do it for?
[9:41] Does being a powerful teacher have to do with your personality and who you are as a person, or is it something that can be changed? What is some pushback Sheri has encountered on that?
“We all come with our own gifts and our own experiences and then … it’s up to us with how we pull all that together and express that as yoga teachers.” ~ Sheri Fisher
[11:01] How does Lori see these five elements apply to other aspects of life beyond yoga teaching?
“Am I showing up with my own confidence, with my own gifts, with my own awareness? That’s when you become that yoga teacher. And that’s what’s magnetic.” ~ Lori Holden
[14:14] The first pillar of powerful teaching is communication. How can yoga teachers improve our communication?
[17:13] It is so important to have compassion for yourself when you make mistakes, because that is how we learn.
[18:57] The second pillar of powerful teaching is character. How does this show up?
“Character is the one that’s taking the class beyond just an exercise class and creating a yoga experience.” ~ Sheri Fisher
[23:57] The third pillar of powerful teaching is connection and it is like the heart of the five pillars. Sheri explains more.
[25:57] As someone who attends yoga classes, Lori shares her perspective on the importance of connection.
[27:35] What are some tips Lori and Sheri have for bringing people back for the practice?
[28:27] Shannon pops in to share a phone conversation she had this week.
[32:27] The fourth pillar of powerful teaching is commitment.
[35:57] Part of the commitment piece is also your commitment to marketing and selling your services as a yoga teacher.
[41:17] The last pillar of powerful teaching is consideration.
“Our teaching becomes an expression of who we are and where we are on our yoga journey.” ~ Sheri Fisher
[45:59] What is some feedback Lori and Sheri have received about the book and were there any surprises for them in doing the research for it?
[49:24] Get your copy of the book via the website RootToRiseYogis.com.
[50:10] Enter the draw to win one of two copies of the book!
[51:17] Learn more and connect with Sheri and Lori via their websites and social media pages.
[52:42] Shannon shares some of her big takeaways from this conversation with Lori and Sheri.
Links:
-
Standing Room Only: How to be THAT Yoga Teacher, by Sheri Fisher with Lori Holden
-
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 326: Teach Yoga with Confidence with Shannon Crow
-
The Connected Yoga Teacher Podcast Episode 058: Confidence and Self-Promotion with Julie Zuzak
-
Boat the Bruce (Cruises in the Bruce Peninsula with Captain Colton)
Gratitude to our Sponsor, OfferingTree.
I really enjoyed what Sheri and Lori had to say about bringing your authentic self to your teaching. It’s comforting to know that the root and hallmark of becoming a standout teacher is actually me!
The section on Connection really resonated with me. In my own teaching connection is so important. Coming out of the pandemic I heard so many loneliness stories and how much several students were looking forward to being together again. I think we have all learned the necessity and power of social engagement. Specifically, I loved the notion of introducing new students to others in the class with things in common.
I also loved the part about Commitment not just to students, but to colleagues and studio owners. We’re all in this together!
Thank you for researching and including Consideration as the fifth pillar. DEI is an ongoing exploration for me. There has been and will be much to learn!
I love the way you phrase this, Liz: “The root and hallmark of becoming a standout teacher is actually me!” We hope you enjoy the ongoing exploration of Consideration like we do. So much depth (that’s yoga, right?).
Thoroughly enjoyed this episode. Even though most of us know we don’t need to be perfect, it sure feels good to hear it. I’ve been teaching for 4 years and always remember the wise words shared with me during my first training to “teach what comes from your heart, or even based on what your own needs are because there’s a good chance others need the same things.” It’s easier to teach something that I have felt in my own body. I feel 100% authentic when I teach this way. And if I’m asked to teach something that I do NOT know, I research it, practice it myself, and priced forward from that experience. Authenticity is freeing. Thank you for the podcast. I’ll be adding the book to my wish list.
Jennifer — in yoga and in life, I have found my heart to be my best guide. Pillar 3: Connection is a reflection of what I learned from my spiritual mentors about how to switch from being super logical (which was how I lived the first 30+ years of my life), to tuning in and learning how to listen to my heart and to my intuition…and blend that with my logical mind — it’s a balance!
Thanks for sharing your wisdom and experience about teaching from your heart, your insights about how our needs in life are similar to others, how it is easier and more authentic when we teach from lived experience, and how this reflects in how we show up as yoga teachers. We feel our authenticity…and so do our students. Thanks for listening to the podcast.
Hello, Jennifer! Those are wise words you share here. For me, the way you relay your experience is that when you dive into your own internally-formed interests and needs, you show up authentically — and vibrant — with others. Great insight! And thanks for adding “Standing Room Only: How to Be THAT Yoga Teacher” to your wish list. 💜
Liz — Thank you for your detailed comments about what we talked about in the podcast and what is in the book, Standing Room Only: How to be THAT Yoga Teacher. You are spot on: YOU are the hallmark of becoming a standout yoga teacher. As you Root (self-study / self-inquiry) along your yoga journey and yoga teaching path, you can then Rise to share your journey with others.
I love the layers of Connection too…especially since we collectively and individually experienced the pandemic. When I was isolated from others, it helped me to realize how important Connection is! We are all in this together…not just in our yoga practice, but in life!
I’m also glad we added the 5th Pillar: Consideration. I learned so much researching and Rooting while writing about DEI. It has broadened and deepened my awareness, while highlighting my blind spots — which can be humbling and very eye-opening as an opportunity for growth. Thanks for tuning in and listening to the podcast. I hope you enjoy the book and that it helps build your confidence and enhance your teaching!
I have been practicing yoga for two years this month and teaching since last November. This is not the “normal” path for the majority of yoga teachers. Most teachers have much more experience than myself. When I took teacher training, I had no intention of teaching but after completing the course, I thought, why not try out? But I only wanted to teach if I could be effective, meaning “That Teacher”! I gobble up anything I can read/listen, that can help me learn, adapt and teach. The 5 pillars all resonated with me. Effective communication has to be learned. Inhaling before giving a cue has been helpful for me. I tend to ramble all the knowledge in my head out too fast for anyone to absorb. I love the idea of letting your character shine though. The best teachers have personalities that let you know that you are seen and are cared for. This lends itself to connection with the student. Remembering the small things about a student makes a big difference. My dad taught me years ago to do your job to the best of your ability regardless of your occupation or salary. This is commitment to your work is so important in yoga. I am always open to learning more about consideration and cultural appropriation. Thanks so much for your podcast. Shannon, I love your voice. It is so warm and soothing.
Hi, Autumn. Your dad sounds a lot like our dad! Thank you for sharing your thoughts, and we agree that Shannon’s voice is delightful to listen to.
Autumn — Thanks for sharing your journey of teaching yoga. Like you, I also went into my Yoga Teacher Training without any intention of teaching yoga. I simply wanted to know more about the practice that was changing my life on multiple levels. Feeling inspired, I wanted to share the precious gift of yoga with anyone and everyone who showed interest.
It sounds like you have been weaving together all 5 Pillars of Powerful Teaching in your yoga teaching journey. My sense is that most people who take your classes are surprised to find out you have been teaching less than a year, because you are so excited, passionate and authentic in your teaching style. And your comment about “gobbling up anything you could read/listen to”…reminds me of my own passion for yoga. Thanks for tuning into the podcast, listening and commenting.
I’m a new yoga teacher and building a student base at my wellness center. I was glad to hear I don’t need to be perfect, just genuine. That my mistakes are okay. I do want to dig deeper into my cueing for better clarity. I liked the story of seeing the students all get into a different pose than the cues intended. Great podcast and loved this episode.
Hi, Linda. So glad this was a takeaway message for you — ” I don’t need to be perfect, just genuine.” I have found that idea to be so liberating from my perfection issues.. Thank you for listening to our episode.
As you heard in the podcast, all three of us — me, Lori and Shannon — are recovering perfectionists. So I get how hard it is when mistakes happen…especially in front of a room full of yoga students. I recently heard a quote that popped into my head when reading your comment. It is by Phyllis Theroux who said: “Mistakes are the unusual bridge between inexperience and wisdom.” When I think how much I have learned from my mistakes, they truly have been one of my best teachers. Thanks for listening to the podcast and sharing your comments…and good luck on your yoga teaching journey.
Thank you for this conversation! I found myself reflecting on my experience as a yoga student and teacher, looking for balance and stability with all pillars. The dual perspective was helpful. Oh, and I love the emphasis away from “filling” classes! Showing up with authenticity and consistency for a few is better than “standing room only” any day.
We’re so glad you got that main point, Angela: that it’s less about being popular than it is about being YOU.
We have found that having both perspectives — my perspective from a yoga teacher’s position, and Lori’s from a practitioner’s viewpoint — provided so much wonderful information and experience as we wrote the book. The Five Pillars may feel like separate concepts at first, but as I started digging deeper, I realized that all Five Pillars are distinct…and similar, all at the same time, as though they are separate strands all woven together. Thanks for your comments! I appreciate it!
I really enjoyed listening to this conversation. The topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion is such an important piece that is still not covered in many YTTs, so thank you, Lori and Sheri for including it as the 5th Pillar in your book.
We grew a lot in learning about our 5th Pillar, Consideration. Of all the PIllars, you may find that this one is the most open-ended, leaving lots of room for curiosity and questions. Thank you so much for listening, Jess!
I am so glad Gina Caputo (the yoga teacher trainer who wrote the foreword to the book) suggested we add in the important topic of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. We learned SO much researching, discussing and writing about these topics. I hope this section of the book opens the discussions, hearts and minds of the readers…to create curiosity and openness on the ongoing path of uncovering blind spots, creating connection, understanding and compassion.
As mentioned in the podcast, DEI was not covered in my YTT in 2010. My hope is that it becomes part of every YTT curriculum. I would love to hear your feedback on this Pillar once you’ve had a chance to read the book.
Loved the podcast and the 5 pillars resonated with me. I love my small classes but often worried that I should change my way of teaching to cater to more students. But, my authentic self, who laughs at her slipups, who gets to know her students and ensures they have options that they can use, who holds space to enjoy and learn from the asanas. And I always hold space for savasana! Thank you for giving some tings to think about and for reassuring me that there are students for me as I have found teachers that helped me along my yoga journey.
Carole Ann, I am so glad that our episode gave you another lens to look at this “should.” Sounds like you are very present and authentic with your students, and I applaud that! Here’s to great teachers along our journeys.
Carole Ann…you sound like “that” yoga teacher to me…by simply bringing in your beautiful, authentic self. It sounds like you continue to Root (self-study, getting to know yourself) and Rise (being your authentic self and sharing your yoga with students) as you teach. I’m glad the podcast and the book were reassuring. Yes! There are students for you…and I have a feeling they are so very grateful!
I have been working on feeling like enough. When I can’t think of a word or make a mistake, I own it. Your show helped me realize this is being my authentic self. I am also thinking of ways to make my class more of an experience. Thank you!
So glad that you found our episode helpful in recognizing and honoring our authentic self, Jill. My very best to you as you play with ways to create experiences for you students — starting with creating experiences for you!
Jill — You ARE enough…even when you can’t think of a word or when you make a mistake. How wonderful to have the grace to own it and have compassion for yourself for being human, for being just who you are! Your authentic self IS what you bring to your students and my guess is that you being your authentic self is exactly what they want from you. And I have a feeling that will continue to come through as you enhance the Character in your classes, creating the “experience” you mentioned. I’m wishing you the best of luck on your yoga teaching journey.
Wow, this conversation gave me some powerful insight, confidence, AND a pragmatic method for finding my best inner yoga teacher-self. There were 2 points in the conversation that almost instantly gave me words to explain a disconnect I have been feeling around my teaching and an idea to begin to shift it. The first was at 9:41, the question around being a powerful teacher and personality. Both Sheri and Lori’s comments about magnetism and authenticity combined with their explanation and examples of pillar #2/Character (18:57) helped me see a way to bring in my authentic self and to rely less on mirroring of my favorite teachers. I’ve already started working on a recipe card I’m going to bring to my students next week so I can share what I cook and eat in the summer season to help keep my body in balance. I love cooking and eating healthy, seasonal meals. Why not share this with my class? Why have I always thought I should JUST be cueing and teaching them about yoga philosophy? THANK YOU.
Carol, I want to thank you for the gift you give Sheri and me here about what resonated for you, and your thoughts behind the resonance. How wonderful that you’ll be sharing recipes and foods of how you keep your body in balance. That’s Character!
Carol — YES! YES! YES! I love your insight about bringing more of YOU into your classes. Many people can teach asana and move students through yoga poses. Adding more of YOU into your classes is the “special sauce” that is unique to you…the magnetism and authenticity you mentioned in your comment.
In our book, we referenced the 2016 Yoga in America Study, sponsored by IPSOS Public Affairs and Yoga Alliance, where they asked students what they felt was the #1 quality for yoga teachers. Three of the top five traits have to do with a teacher’s personality, and the other two deal with their technical knowledge of yoga.
#1 Warm and friendly (66%) — teacher’s personality
#2 Easily understood or clear with instructions (64%) — technical knowledge of yoga
#3 Is knowledgeable about the poses (61%) — technical knowledge of yoga
#4 Helpful (59%) — teacher’s personality
#5 Approachable (58%) — teacher’s personality
(There were 7 other traits including the options: None of These and Other)
Being THAT yoga teacher combines WHAT you know (technical knowledge of yoga) with HOW you teach (your personality. Use the foundation of what you learned in your Yoga Teacher Training with who you are and see what happens.
I also love the symbolism of your idea to bring in recipe cards, because to me, this symbolizes the recipe for you and your authentic self to shine through in every class you teach. I have a feeling you will get great feedback from your students. Have fun sharing YOU with your students!
As someone who has taught yoga for many years I have found the classes that come from my love, joy and experience have always landed well. There are some pillars that I could put a little more plaster on and I loved this pod cast for reminding me how important it is to balance this. I loved hearing to student perspective. Thanks!
I love this, Amanda! “There are some pillars that I could put a little more plaster on.” You remind me that yoga is about retaining the beginner’s mind, even amid experience and achievement. Thank you for listening.
YES! Classes that come from your “love, joy and experience” bring in the Character (Pillar 2) and Connection (Pillar 3) we talk about in our book. It is what makes you a great yoga teacher — and no wonder these classes land well with your students. In the book we provide self-assessments at the end of each Pillar so you can continually bring a beginner’s mind to your yoga teaching practice — in all aspects of your teaching practice. My teaching practice has been a continual path of learning and growth…and it sounds like yours has been too. Thanks for your comments and insights. And thanks for listening to the podcast!
I have been teaching for the majority of my adult life – first in the school classroom for 15 years and now as a yoga and movement teacher for 5 years. I loved the focus on connection – it is truly one of my favourite things about teaching, getting the chance to build community. I was also really happy to hear about the consideration piece. Making ourselves accountable for holding open and accepting space for all who walk into our class is paramount to teaching a “good class”.
Thank for the chance to learn further with your book – and for taking the time to put it out into the world.
Thank you for your comments about teaching yoga…and what a wealth of experience you bring to your students!
People have asked me which Pillar I feel is most important, or which one is my favorite. Although I feel all of them are important, I also notice my thoughts on this change over time…as I learn, grow and change as a person and as a yoga teacher.
Connection has always been important to me and a part of who I am. I’m intuitive (connection with myself), and love connecting with others (relationship-oriented). Consideration is hugely important to me, especially as I learn more and continue to seek and explore my blind spots. The other three Pillars of Powerful Teaching: Communication, Character and Commitment are also important as building blocks of my yoga teaching practice.
Each one is important. The understanding and application of all 5 Pillars lays the foundation of a solid teaching practice. And what has been so interesting is how all Five Pillars are interconnected and multi-layered. It’s a never-ending journey of growth.
I’d love to hear your feedback on the book once you’ve had a chance to read it. I bet you would have a lot of great experience and stories to share.
Robin, thanks for sharing your experience connecting in your various classroom settings. Community feels so good! We are so pleased that you are enjoying an exploration of the 5 PIllars of Powerful Teaching. We wish you our best!
Great episode! I love the concept of 5 pillars of powerful teaching … communication, character, connection, commitment & consideration. I will be considering this as I prepare for my class this morning! I look forward to reading this book. Thank you Shannon for the work you do in the world!!!
Hello, Tina, and thank you for Considering (ha!) the 5 Pillars as you prepared to teach your class this morning! We hope you enjoy reading our book and we’d love to hear what feedback you have for us (just like most yoga teachers!)
Tina — Thank you for listening to our podcast and for your feedback. I appreciate it. I LOVE how you took the Five Pillars and immediately applied these concepts in the very next class you taught! Just think how our yoga classes will continue to develop and deepen as we as yoga teachers continue to develop and improve ourselves as yoga teachers.
This could be through learning about and applying the Five Pillars of Powerful Teaching (as you are doing), regularly listening to Shannon’s excellent podcast, and taking Continuing Education Credits. These are all concepts we cover in Pillar 4: Commitment, where we talk about a yoga teacher’s commitment to themselves as yoga teaching professionals and to their students (in addition to their commitment to their yoga journey, their teaching team, owner/manager and studio, and the community at large).
The other day I practiced with a newer yoga teacher. As we were talking after class, she asked if I had taken my Yoga Teaching Training, and I mentioned our book. She asked me for some feedback on her class, and I gave her positive feedback in all Five Pillars of Powerful Teaching. She texted me later to thank me, and gave me specifics on how the feedback had helped her. I appreciate her curiosity and how she welcomed my feedback to help her continue to grow as a yoga teacher. To me, this is yoga! This is what helps yoga teachers continue to turn basic yoga classes into extraordinary yoga experiences for our students (and for us!)…just like you are doing. Kudos to you!
I loved this episode! The information about valuing what you are worth really resonated with me. Knowing and expressing your tangible benefits, advantages and features. I definitely do not do that enough and will be spending some time thinking on that for my studio!
We are so happy to hear you loved our episode with Shannon. We are glad the FAB section of our book will be helpful to you!
Melissa — I appreciate your feedback on our podcast. Thanks for listening! YES!! I hope you start to focus on what YOU bring to the studio, to your teaching team, and especially to your students. As we focus on our FAB (Features, Advantages and Benefits), it helps us as yoga teachers to build confidence and recognize our value — based on our unique experiences, education, training, and personality. We each have gifts to share and teaching yoga is a great place to continually ROOT down and then RISE up and share our yoga journey.
When we surveyed yoga teachers, the number one concern/obstacle in teaching yoga seemed to be a lack of confidence. Once you start to focus on your FAB, notice how your confidence level changes and improves. You can feel good about what you bring to your yoga teaching practice, and inspired by places where there is room for growth. Because no matter how long you teach, there is always room for growth. Thanks again for tuning in. May you continue to be inspired to teach extraordinary yoga classes.
I am fairly new to teaching (I have been teaching just over a year) and the biggest takeaway I got was bringing some piece of my authentic self to each class ❤️ also realizing that marketing yourself does not have to be salesy and you are just offering something of value to a studio. Thanks for this episode and I would love to read this book!
Brittney — I am SO happy that your biggest takeaway was peace of mind. It sounds like this will help you to bring your most authentic self to each class you teach. Wow! This is a very important realization.
HOW yoga teachers show up seems to be one of the key ingredients for student satisfaction. In Pillar 3: Connection, we site the 2016 Yoga Alliance & IPSOS Public Affairs Research Study where three of the top five traits students rank as the “top qualities students feel are important” include HOW you show up as a yoga teacher:
1) Warm and Friendly – 66% of respondents (HOW teachers show us)
2) Easily understood or clear with instructions – 64% (WHAT teachers know)
3) Is knowledgeable about the poses – 61% (WHAT teachers know)
4) Helpful – 59% (HOW teachers show us)
4) Approachable – 58% (HOW teachers show us)
Teaching extraordinary yoga classes combines both WHAT you know and HOW you teach. WHAT you know includes yoga history, poses, sequencing, etc. HOW you teach includes how you show up as a yoga teacher. Both are important.
Being you and showing up as your authentic self IS the “secret sauce” of teaching yoga. I would love to hear how your teaching experience continues to unfold as your authentic self shines through! Best of luck!