How to Handle a ‘Bad Lesson’ as a Children's Yoga Teacher

Every children's yoga teacher has been there – that one lesson, class, or workshop that feels like an absolute disaster. It can be demoralising, making you question your choices and even consider giving up altogether. And the toughest part? Unlike schoolteachers, who have a staff room to vent in, we often don’t have anyone to share our struggles with.

But here’s the truth: bad lessons happen to everyone. Even after more than 20 years of working with children, I still have moments where I think, Well, that wasn’t my best work! The key is to acknowledge it, learn from it, and move forward. Here’s how:

1. Be Compassionate with YourselfFirst and foremost, have some self-compassion. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that everyone else has it all figured out, especially when social media showcases picture-perfect classes. But remember, every teacher has off days – they just don’t always talk about them.
Try not to take a bad lesson personally or catastrophise the situation. It doesn’t define your ability as a teacher. It’s simply part of the journey.
2. Reflect on What HappenedOnce you've given yourself some grace, take a step back and reflect. Not to beat yourself up, but to learn and grow. Be a detective and ask yourself:

• Was there a behavioural issue?
  
  
• Was the timing off?
  
  
• Were there organisational hiccups?
  
• Were external factors (such as the children's mood, an unexpected schedule change, or even your own energy levels) at play?
  

Getting clear on what contributed to the challenging class helps you make informed decisions moving forward.
3. Make a Plan for the FutureOnce you’ve identified what went wrong, use that insight to tweak things for next time. Even small adjustments can make a huge difference.
For example, if a game wasn’t working, could you shorten wait times to keep engagement high? If children struggled to stay focused, could you switch the order of activities? I do this in real-time when I teach multiple classes in a day—adjusting and refining as I go.
If challenges keep arising, it might also be time to seek extra support.
4. Seek Support and TrainingTeaching can be isolating, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Having a support network makes all the difference. That’s why I created the School Yoga Teachers Facebook community – a space where teachers can share their experiences, challenges, and wins. If you're not a member yet, come and join us!

You might also find that extra training helps build confidence in areas like behaviour management, structuring lessons, or using props effectively. I offer a range of affordable workshops covering these topics, all available with lifetime access. You can check them out here.
5. Let It Go
Once you’ve reflected and made a plan, it’s time to move on. One bad lesson doesn’t mean the next will be the same. Try not to carry negativity into your next session – children pick up on energy, and approaching a class with apprehension can affect the outcome.
Instead, take a deep breath, reset, and trust yourself. You’re doing important work, and one difficult lesson doesn’t change that.
Final ThoughtsBad lessons are part of the teaching journey, but they don’t define you. Next time you have a rough class, remember:

• Be kind to yourself – it happens to everyone.
  
• Reflect and learn – look at what went wrong with curiosity, not criticism.
  
• Adjust and prepare – make small tweaks to improve future sessions.
  
• Seek support – join a community, get mentoring, or invest in training.
  
• Let it go – don’t let one class knock your confidence.
  

If you ever need support, feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] and if you have any questions, send them my way—I may even include them in a future blog or video to help others too!

You're not alone in this. Keep going—you’re making a difference.