5 Subtle Signs You’re Becoming a “Better” Yoga Teacher

# What this brief covers This Yoga Journal piece by Adam Husler outlines five subtle, non-quantitative signs that a yoga teacher is improving. The piece emphasizes that popularity and follower counts are poor proxies for teaching quality. Husler focuses on attitudes and classroom habits that point to real development as a teacher.

# Why popularity isn't the same as teaching skill Husler cautions against equating packed classes or social reach with being a better teacher. Class size depends on marketing, schedule, price, location, style trends, and other factors outside a teacher's control. The meaningful signals of growth are harder to measure and show up in behavior, humility, and how students learn.

# Four concrete signs Husler describes

1) You feel less pressure to prove yourself

2) You become comfortable saying "I don't know"

Husler links this willingness to the Dunning-Kruger effect: less experienced teachers may project certainty they don't actually have. Saying "I don't know" reflects awareness of knowledge limits. It also creates space for learning, correction, and changing one's mind when better information appears.

3) Your students become less dependent on you

A teacher's job can include facilitation, entertainment, or space-holding, but Husler favors education. Better teachers help students understand intention behind poses — what is being lengthened, stabilized, strengthened, or explored — rather than instructing only on visible shape. Teaching principles equips students to make intelligent modifications and self-assess, so they don't wait for cues for every choice.

4) You care less about creating a persona

Husler notes a disconnect that can exist between the public teaching persona and everyday behavior. As teachers mature, they present more consistently and authentically across contexts. This reduces performative behavior and creates a more reliable relationship with students.

# What the brief doesn't include

# Practical next steps for teachers

# Bottom line Husler reframes improvement as internal, relational, and educational rather than external and performative. If you notice these shifts in your teaching, they likely indicate growth that will outlast trends and follower counts.