5 Tips for Conquering Subbing Anxiety
Recently I was asked to sub a class about 40 minutes before the class was set to begin. Since we were live streaming classes and I was at home, I said sure, no problem. The class was a gentle style of yoga and I already knew some of the students who were going to be there. I opened my book of class plans, flipped to one titled “Gentle Yoga” and was ready to go. The students were welcoming and I explained that their regular instructor had an emergency come up and would be returning the following week. They were understanding and seemed to be unphased about having a substitute.
Since I hadn’t planned on teaching that day, I didn’t make prior arrangements with my family to accommodate my teaching schedule. During centering I got distracted by my dog barking outside and the noise of yard work happening with my whole family at home. With this distraction came frustration around the lack of quiet and worry that the students wouldn’t be able to receive what they were there for - an hour of stress relief and relaxation. Because I wasn’t able to teach in the peaceful environment that I normally would have had, my concentration was off, and I was off. One of the fears that I thought I had let go of as an experienced teacher had come to the surface to make its presence known loud and clear: What if you’re subbing a class and the students hate what you’re teaching?!
I’ve had a little time to think about this and here are my top 5 tips to keep in mind if you find yourself fearful or anxious about subbing a class.
It’s not them, it’s you.
If you’re like me, sometimes you can get stuck in your head when you’re teaching. The citta vrittis (mind stuff) seem to take over and the next thing you know you’re lost in an elaborate story that your mind completely fabricated where you’re the hero turned villain. If you find yourself in front of a class thinking the students don’t want you there for whatever reason, it's not them, it's you. By you, I mean the small you, or the ego. Your fear is getting the best of you. Recall Sutra 1.4 about the Self identifying with the fluctuations of the mind (citta vrittis) and Sutra 1.9 about one of the five types of vrittis called “imagination.” The way out of this mental trap is to come back to the now. Each time the mind moves away from the present, take a deep breath and come back to exactly what you’re doing right then and there. Let the ego take a back seat and connect with the power of your higher Self.
2. Sometimes it is them, and that’s ok.
While most of the time, you may be letting your fear get the best of you, there’s the rare occasion when you’re reading the room correctly or your intuition is telling you that what you’re teaching may not be what the students want. It’s not that your intuition is often wrong, I’m saying that this is a rare occasion because in my experience, most students are welcoming and open to what you offer. They know you’re not their regular teacher and don’t expect you to do everything exactly the same way. In many cases they are grateful to have not had their class cancelled that day.
With that being said, I can’t ignore my personal experience where I’ve subbed a class and knew that at least one of the students was having a hard time opening to a different practice. In this particular instance, the normal class offered was Kundalini. But, since I don’t teach Kundalini I decided to teach what I know and keep it simple. After centering, I asked the students to breathe gently while performing a seated cat-cow. One of the students instead opted for bhastrika with a faster paced cat-cow. As we moved through class, I could tell the students were not used to doing as much asana as I was teaching. Even though it was a slower and more gentle asana practice, I knew that they just wanted to do a Kundalini practice. Again, this was a last minute subbing, so the students weren’t expecting me to be there. As a student myself, I’ve been there before when I’ve shown up to a class expecting to see my favorite teacher and someone else is there. In this instance, I had compassion for the students and for myself. We were already there sharing time and space so I made the best of it. If you find yourself in this position, remember it’s just one class. Do your best and let it go.
3. Ask questions up front.
Ideally you will know ahead of time which classes you are subbing so you have time to prepare a class plan and ask the regular teacher questions if you are unsure what to teach. Ask the instructor if they would be willing to provide a class plan or ask what asanas, pranayama and meditation their students are used to. The instructor may also provide pertinent information like injuries or restrictions for regular students so you can be prepared to offer modifications.
If you’re subbing at the last minute and aren’t able to get background information, arrive early to the class if possible and chat with the students. Ask the regulars what their practice is like and what they might be in need of on that particular day. I often ask students if anything in their body is speaking to them that day or if there is something they feel they need in their practice. This is a simple way to ensure that you’re on track with the experience the students are expecting out of class.
4. It takes practice and time.
Remember how long it took you to get in the groove of teaching your own class? Maybe you’re still trying to find that groove and speak with the voice that is authentically you. Either way, the point is to remember that being comfortable stepping into an unfamiliar class with new faces takes time and practice. Cut yourself some slack. Each time you say yes to an opportunity to cover someone else’s class look at it as a chance to practice being relaxed, flexible, and open to new experiences. Before you know it, it’ll be no big deal to step in for a fellow teacher at the last minute because you know you’ll do your best and that will be enough.
5. Your teaching is an offering.
Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, remember that your teaching is an act of service to something greater than yourself. Go back to the reason you became a teacher in the first place. It probably has to do with wanting to help others or to share this practice that has been so influential in your life that you can’t help but to want to give others that same experience. Remember your overarching intention when you center yourself. Ask that the time and energy you put forth in your teaching be received as an offering for the highest good and for the well-being of those present. With that intention you can’t go wrong.