Posts Tagged ‘teaching yoga’

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Teaching Yoga: The Power of Observation

Wednesday, February 1st, 2012

yoga teacherBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Although a Hatha Yoga teacher must be able to teach a variety of poses (asanas), practice many forms of meditation, and understand the inner workings of Yogic breathing techniques (pranayama), one of the most difficult parts of the job description is observing the class.

It takes a combination of experience, knowledge, and intuition to share concise instructions and ensure each Yoga practitioners’ safety. Good Yoga teachers spend as much, or more, time watching their students as they do demonstrating techniques and postures.

While observation looks simple, it requires a fine balance of attention to individual needs, execution of postures, classroom atmosphere, and safety precautions. In order to have a well-rounded class curriculum, Yoga instructors must simultaneously consider all of these.

Why Observation Is Important in Yoga Classes

• Successful Yoga teachers share information with the entire class while meeting each student on a personal level. Ideally, every person should leave the Yoga studio feeling the lesson targeted his or her specific needs.

• Yoga instructors have a tremendous responsibility to see that every student is safe. This requires knowledge of personal health histories, the risks and cautions related to each activity, and an understanding of the capability of everyone in the class.

• Yoga teachers who are sensitive to students’ learning styles, personalities, and skill levels instinctively know which ones are hesitant to try new techniques and poses or take on new challenges. Some people like risks while others mentally and physically freeze if they feel rushed; some learn best by listening, and others are more adept at listening or observing.

• Yoga incorporates physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health, which can be a huge amount of information. Often, teachers are stronger in one of these areas than they are in others. A Yoga teacher who recognizes a student’s strengths is better prepared to offer encouragement and praise.

• Observation is the only way for teachers to monitor students’ progress, correct alignment, minimize the chance of injury, and establish a practice of good habits. Learning the proper techniques for Yogic breathing, meditating, and practicing asanas is a basic foundation of student growth and success.

Conclusion

For Yoga instructors, observation is much like mindfulness. When teachers pay attention and let go of the need to control or judge, the studio transforms into a place where students gain confidence, poise, and serenity. As a result, every person leaves thinking he or she was in a class designed just for him or her.

As teachers, we must strive for a balance between the controlling instructor, who has to assist everyone in the class, and the teacher who has a fear of leaving his or her mat. Observation by “walking the room” at times when you cannot see all of your students is the answer.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Kinesiology Education for Yoga Teachers

Tuesday, January 31st, 2012

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Kinesiology is the study of movement. It includes the study of all of the physiological mechanisms of the body. The study of kinetics is important in educational disciplines such as rehabilitation therapy, sports medicine, exercise, biomechanics, and orthopedics. Since Hatha Yoga is based on movement, it makes perfect sense that someone specializing in teaching a physical form of Yoga would be knowledgeable about the kinetics of the body.

More specifically, kinesiology is the scientific study of the body’s bones, joints, tissues, nerves, and muscles. The practice of Yoga focuses largely on moving the body into positions, which will strengthen and lengthen the joints and muscles. It seems that kinetics and Yoga go hand in hand. When you are teaching Yoga, you are teaching your students how to safely move the body into specific postures for specific results. A Yoga teacher must be knowledgeable about the way the different parts of the body work in conjunction with each other.

Imagine a scenario where you are teaching a class full of beginners how to perform Triangle pose for the first time. You will make sure that students get into a wide stance with proper alignment, and then turn the toes out to the proper degrees. Then students must focus on their hips, keeping them squared forward, and practice moving from the hips as opposed to leading with the shoulders or another body part. Once the hips are in place, students must reach with top arm upward, shoulders down and back. Finally, the Yoga instructor must convey how to reach out and down toward the front foot, while reaching up to the ceiling, opening up the chest, and cast the gaze upward.

That one pose covered nearly the whole body, from toes to head. As students learn to go into the pose, the Yoga instructor needs to be able to understand student limitations and adjust bodies accordingly. This not only requires knowledge of the pose itself, but knowledge of how the body works. If a student experiences pain or discomfort due to a pose, it is the Yoga instructor’s job to tweak the body to alleviate the discomfort. This requires knowledge of body kinetics.

Kinetic knowledge is crucial background information for Yoga instructors. Although you might not always teach your students about specific tissues or joints, it is important in forming a general understanding of how human bodies work. One of the aspects of Hatha Yoga is to become more in touch with our bodies, so it just makes sense that a Yoga teacher should know the scientific ins and outs of the body.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Teaching Yoga: Benefits of Yoga Props

Thursday, January 26th, 2012

yoga instructor courseBy Narendra Maheshri

There is an attitude that a few Yoga teachers have in regard to the use of props. This attitude is based on intolerance for new students and students with special needs. Maybe the Yoga teacher has not received in-depth training of anatomy, or a compassion chip, but arrogant yoga instructors should label their craft accordingly.

Some suggestions would be sauna stretch, extreme stretch and torture, hardcore boot camp stretching, or no pain no gain stretching. By discarding the word “yoga,” there is no deception. A new student would realize that there is as much risk of injury in a class with these yoga teachers as there is in a boxing ring.

Why Yoga Props Make Sense

Newcomers to yoga will find certain props invaluable, especially in the beginning when muscles are tight and rigid. At first, there may be a significance dependence on props that will decrease as flexibility increases. The greatest benefit to using yoga props, is they improve the quality of the pose which creates a better stretch.

Yoga Mats

A mat is probably the most useful of all yoga props. The purpose of a yoga mat is to provide a non-slip surface to stand on while performing yoga poses. A yoga mat protects feet from unwanted movement or slippage while holding a pose. This is instrumental in avoiding injury from slipping. A yoga mat may be used to cover another prop, like yoga block, to provide a non-slip surface. The importance of a yoga mat is creates a safe foundation when practicing yoga.

Yoga Blocks

Yoga block are extremely useful props, especially for beginners who don’t have much stretch and extension at first. A well-placed yoga block can extend the reach of an arm reaching to touch the floor when performing a wide leg stretch with a forward bend like in a triangle pose. Using a yoga block can create a deeper stretch without fear of injury. A yoga block can help maintain balance while posing, give support in a seated twist, or help maintain balance during a pose.

Yoga Straps

Yoga straps are indispensable when performing a seated forward stretch to the toes. Tight hamstrings may make it too difficult to reach the toes. Feeding a yoga strap around the toes and holding the ends of the strap in each hand will aid and enhance the stretch gently until the hamstrings loosen. Placing the strap around the toes anchors the yoga strap so the ends can be pulled to increase the stretch from the hips bending forward. A yoga strap aids stretching and holding yoga poses without straining. This makes it easy to push limits and improve yoga poses resulting in greatly improved flexibility.

Yoga Blankets

A yoga blanket may be used to comfort and support the body with a variety of yoga poses. The blanket can be folded and used to sit on to ease the strain of several seated poses, allowing the pose to be held longer with a deeper stretch. A yoga blanket can be folded or rolled to support the back or neck with poses that stress those areas. This is a versatile prop because it can be folded and shaped to suit almost any pose.

What are the Benefits?

Practicing asana, meditation, and pranayama without an injury is what we want for our students.  Some people cannot sit with their legs crossed on the floor.  In that case, we have to find a solution.  As Paulji often stresses, “Hatha Yoga is adapted to the needs of the individual student.”  Our students take yoga classes to have better health and props insure the experience is a good one.  Our objective is no yoga injuries at all.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Teaching Yoga and Finding a Mentor

Tuesday, January 24th, 2012

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

One of the ways that Yoga teachers grow, and learn, in their profession is by finding a mentor. A mentor teacher is usually someone with a few more years of experience; someone who excels at what they do; and someone wishing to enrich the teaching skills of a younger Yoga instructor.

Teaching Yoga requires a complex set of skills, knowledge, and methods that are best learned through practice. The best Yoga teachers improve, and progress, as they gain experience in the studio or ashram. A mentor teacher can provide valuable advice and knowledge to less experienced instructors, and a place for the new Yoga teacher to voice frustrations and concerns.

Find a mentor that you admire. Usually, you can spot mentor-worthy Yoga teachers by the way they run their class, the way their students feel about them, or by the way they make you feel when interacting with them. Approach a potential mentor by letting them know how you admire their teaching methods, and how you aspire to be able to teach in a manner that is similar to theirs. Ask if they would be interested in mentoring you, as you begin your journey as a Yoga instructor.

You might begin by asking to observe their class. Focus your observation on one thing at a time. One class you might hone-in on is how your mentor interacts with students, and during another, you might consider the cues given for each pose. Take notes as you observe, noting methods or comments you liked, and any questions you have for your mentor. Spend time after class discussing ideas. Have an open mind, and try to absorb all the advice you can. Although you won’t use all the ideas your mentor gives you, eventually, you will assimilate all of these skills with your own Yoga practice.

You can also ask your mentor to watch you, in action, while teaching. Ask him or her to note anything that didn’t quite work, or any concerns they see in your practice. Be willing to take criticism and advice – knowing that it will help you become a better teacher in the long run.

If you approach a skilled Yoga instructor about being a mentor, and they are not interested, just find another. It is important for the mentor-student relationship to be a willing relationship on both parts. The mentor must be willing to spend extra time with you – to nurture your growing skills as a Yoga teacher.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Teaching Yoga: Communication Skills

Thursday, January 19th, 2012

yoga teacherBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Communication skills are an integral part of teaching Yoga. A Yoga teacher needs to be able to convey a body of knowledge and skills to his or her students in an effective manner. It is not enough to simply know the material inside and out, a teacher must be able to give the knowledge to the students in a useful way. When teaching Yoga, the instructor must be able to model the poses, describe them, and help the students execute them effectively. Communication lies at the heart of being able to teach others about Yoga.

Direct cues and comments are best while teaching in a Yoga session. Students are generally focused on the Yoga instructor only briefly, and then the focus changes to their own bodies. When we analyze a flowing asana practice, students must learn how to flow in and out of postures easily, while getting the benefits each pose offers. If a pose is new for the student, they will focus on the teacher to get proper form, but when students are comfortable with each pose, Yoga class becomes more personal and reflective for the individual.

Yoga teachers also need to approach students in a friendly, non-intimidating manner. Students should feel comfortable enough to ask questions, or ask for assistance throughout class. If the Yoga instructor presents him or herself as unapproachable, this may work for some students, but in the long run this tactic will most likely lose the respect of students who want to learn the deeper aspects of Yoga.

Body language plays an important role in communication. It includes eye contact, posture, gestures, and facial expressions. Yoga instructors should work to make eye contact with students when talking to them individually, as well as while addressing the entire class. Body gestures should remain open and inviting. Avoid crossing your arms, looking away, appearing agitated or distracted. Make your students feel welcome and valued during each Yoga class by smiling and keeping the atmosphere relaxed.

Voice tone and volume are important for establishing a pleasant environment for practicing Yoga. Students generally expect the room to be quiet and calm, which lends itself to quiet voices. The instructor needs to make her or himself heard, of course, but do so in a voice that is not too loud or brash. Vary the tone of your voice when giving cues to provide a relaxing environment. Certain Yoga poses need more explanation than others, including postures you are introducing for the first time. Use a slightly louder voice when teaching students something new. Remember that silence is okay, too, and many people crave that about Yoga class. Do not feel as if you need to fill every second with advice, knowledge, or cues.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Teaching Yoga: When to Assist

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012

yoga certificationBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

There are several aspects to teaching Yoga. Instructors must first know all the postures and how to perform them; they must know the correct verbal cues; understand the benefits and risks associated with each pose; be able to convey the philosophies and techniques of Yoga concisely, and be a positive role model to students. As a Yoga teacher, you have a responsibility to your students to provide them with a positive, informative, and uplifting experience with Yoga. Sometimes, this involves correcting students’ postures when they are performing them incorrectly.

Knowing when to help out your students, during class, comes with experience. After careful observation, you will begin to realize that not all Yoga students need immediate correction of postures. If given time and verbal cues by the instructor, many students will be able to fix minor errors in positioning without assistance. Some students need some extra instruction, modeling, or physical guidance. Knowing who these students are, and when to help them, is a finely-tuned skill.

It is not always necessary to point out all mistakes. People will often catch their own mistakes, once they gain experience with the poses, and begin to learn how each pose should feel. Beginners often flail around a bit, simply because of their lack of experience with Yoga asana practice.  An instructor, who is constantly correcting everything students do, might turn them off from Yoga completely, or give the impression that it is too hard for them to succeed.

On the other hand, someone who struggles with a pose, receiving no assistance, might feel unimportant or let down by the Yoga teacher. Yoga instructors must really tune in to their students to understand who to help and when. If a student is obviously struggling with a pose, go over to their mat and offer advice, or guide them into the pose with gentle hands. If you are introducing a new pose, walk around to get a look at everyone, giving guidance as necessary. Always speak calmly and quietly, and adjust poses to the best of the student’s ability.

Always, immediately, assist someone who is experiencing extreme discomfort or pain.  Without using words, many people will ask for help as needed. Pick up on the cues the student is giving. If they seem to welcome your advice, keep giving it. If they tend to pull back or become embarrassed by your help, give them the necessary space. Always remind your students to do what feels right and good for their bodies, and not to worry so much about getting the Yoga poses “right.”

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Teaching Yoga – Observing Yoga Students During Classes

Saturday, January 14th, 2012

yoga teacher trainingBy Dr. Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500

Many Yoga students look in awe at their teachers, wondering at their strong, lithe, bodies. However, teaching Yoga involves a lot more than simply standing in front of a group and demonstrating poses. Effective Yoga teachers must provide a positive, yet relaxing, atmosphere. They must be able to answer any student concerns, and be knowledgeable about the benefits and potential risks of all techniques. Yoga instructors should constantly be scanning the class – checking for proper form, confusion, or misunderstandings, and providing necessary support to the students.

Observing your students requires the ability to multitask, because you must be able to demonstrate a pose or pranayama technique, while giving verbal cues, and looking closely at each student’s form. It takes a bit of practice to get it just right, and it also takes teaching experience. The more comfortable you become with yourself as a Yoga instructor, the easier it will be to observe your students. If you are a new Yoga teacher, who is still concentrating heavily to provide a good flow to the poses, remember all the verbal cues, and so on – it will be harder to focus on the students.

After much practice, observing will become more natural for Yoga teachers. Ideally, you should be able to demonstrate a technique, then glance at each and every student, to ensure they are performing it correctly. If a student needs assistance, first try to give a more specific verbal cue to correct it. If the student does not respond to your cues, or still is doing a technique incorrectly, you might walk over toward that student to offer assistance. Use a calm, quiet demeanor and voice. Ask the student for permission – if you intend to give a physical assist.  Avoid startling the student, or criticizing. Gently make the correction, by placing your hand on the body part that needs adjusting. Generally, the fix is quick and easy; only taking a brief moment. Avoid singling out any of your students or calling out a student’s name.

Remember that Yoga is an individualized activity, and sometimes student limitations call for a slightly different way to perform the pose. Instead of searching for perfection in your students, remind them to do what feels good and right for them. Each student has a unique body and no two bodies are exactly the same.  Correct those errors that could result in an injury, but learn to also let things go, instead of expecting all students to perform all postures without flaw.

As you gain teaching experience in your Yoga classes, you will become more comfortable with observation. You will learn some common mistakes people make on specific poses, and you will be able to prepare your students better. As long as you are aware of the importance of observation, and do it consciously throughout each class, your teaching technique will improve as does the rest of your teaching.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

 

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Teaching Yoga Without Ego

Wednesday, January 11th, 2012

yoga teacher trainingBy Bhavan Kumar

Good teachers in any domain create an environment in which people want to return to again and again. They accept students for who they are and what they can do, while tactfully guiding students to improve and succeed. The most effective Yoga teachers have a way of communicating that is kind and empathetic. Teachers can certainly let their personalities shine, that is what makes most exceptional Yoga teachers well-loved. When it comes to ego, or sense of self, Yoga teachers should check it at the door in order to provide a positive learning experience for the students. Good teachers put the students’ needs ahead of their own, and put most of the focus on the students, as opposed to the teachers.

The philosophy of yoga includes the belief that ego can be an affliction that drives people to act in ways that cause problems in life; materialism, greed, jealousy. Letting go of the ego can bring enlightenment and allow people to live according to their souls and innermost selves. Therefore, yoga teachers especially need to learn how to teach without letting their own ego get in the way. Ego can make a yoga teacher feel superior to his or her students, making the importance of the class lie with the teacher’s perfect execution of each pose. Ego can take the focus of yoga away from the students, putting it on the instructor.

Yoga teachers can learn to release their ego by practicing self-awareness. Teachers should always be aware of how the students are reacting to the class. If the Yoga class doesn’t seem to be going well, perhaps the teacher needs to slow down, review poses, or help students with individual needs a little more. Instead of getting annoyed at the students, or taking negative emotions out on the class, Yoga instructors need to ask themselves what they can do differently to meet the needs of the students.

Another helpful idea for yoga teachers is to ask a colleague or mentor to join the class and provide them with valuable feedback. Perhaps they will be able to see things overlooked by the teacher. The more experience a teacher has, the easier it will be to become the teacher they strive to be, leaving the ego behind. Teachers can learn as much from their teaching experiences as the students learn about yoga.

Teaching yoga is a dynamic profession. To really succeed, Yoga instructors need to be able to admit shortcomings, seek help, and change as necessary. All good teachers are also great Yoga students. They are never satisfied that what they are doing is truly best for the students. Good Yoga teachers have a thirst for knowledge and are constantly seeking to improve. True yoga teachers release their egos for the good of the students.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Teaching Yoga: Ending the Class

Thursday, January 5th, 2012

yoga certificationBy Gopi Rao

Have you ever left a yoga class feeling incomplete? If you felt that way and you taught the class, you probably felt guilty about leaving something out. The most common incomplete ending is when a yoga teacher stuffed the class with asana techniques, but skipped by the pranayama, relaxation, or meditation.

The feelings of relaxation and invigoration are just two of the many responses that people have both during and after practicing Yoga. Many students, especially newer ones, are pleasantly surprised by the emotions they attain from the practice of Yoga. At the beginning of a class, teachers often use guided meditation, breathing techniques and special mantras to set the mood and help students focus. These techniques can also be used at the end of the class.

Many teachers find that ending a class in Corpse Pose while guiding students through meditation are effective techniques. Just as life is cyclical, so is the practice of Yoga. The beginning and the end of a class are usually similar, yet it is what happens during the middle of the class that evokes change. At the end of a class, students are often more aware of their bodies and emotions than they were at the beginning. Many students report feelings of more emotional awareness and strength after Yoga. Moving through the poses while focusing on the breath helps to create and maintain focus.

Many teachers and students begin and end their sessions by saying “Namaste”, which is simply a word that conveys thanks, gratitude and equality between teacher and student. After all, most Yoga teachers are aware that although they are teaching their students, they are also learning from them through the practice of Yoga. Every class is an opportunity for both students and teachers to exchange knowledge and improve upon themselves.

Proper warm up and cool down techniques are essential to any Yoga class. After all, the mind and the body are both challenged through the practice of Yoga, so they must be allowed to rest and relax in order to achieve the optimum results. Some Yoga classes are quite physically challenging and the muscles must be properly cooled down, and that is another important reason to conduct an appropriate ending. The deep relaxation can help students get the most out of the meditation aspect of Yoga as well. Giving time at the end of the class for meditation and relaxation can help the student (and the Yoga  teacher) to fully integrate what they have learned so they can benefit from their practice.

© Copyright 2012 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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Teaching Yoga: Opening the Yoga Class

Thursday, December 22nd, 2011

yoga certificationBy Faye Martins

How to open a Yoga class is a unique craft, but it is not that complicated. Yoga students need to unplug from the world around them first. The Yoga teacher is a guide on the path to inner peace and the opening is the first step on this path.

The practice of Yoga is often used to enhance the mind-body connection. It can help to aid in relaxation and getting in touch with your inner self. Just as there are numerous reasons people practice Yoga, there are a number of different ways to open a class. The opening of the class sets the tone for both the students and the teacher. Different classes often require very different openings. For example, a teacher might choose to open a Hatha Yoga class very differently than a Power Yoga or Hot Yoga class.

Opening a Hatha Yoga class will usually entail students sitting on the ground in a comfortable position. A teacher might start with some quiet meditation, then give some gentle advice to students about paying attention to their breathing. Proper instruction on inhalation and exhalation and how it benefits the student throughout their practice of Yoga is a great way to set the tone for the class. Chanting can also be introduced at this point, as mantras can be a great way for students to focus. Some teachers open the class with the students lying down, as that is conducive to the relaxation process.

Teachers of a Power Yoga class might open the class very differently. They will also focus on breathing techniques, but will usually not introduce chanting. Power Yoga classes can also start with the students in the seated position, but they can also start with the students standing up. As Power Yoga is generally more physically demanding than the gentler types of Yoga, the focus is more on the physicality rather than the emotions as the class progresses through the poses.

The most importance aspects of teaching Yoga and opening a Yoga class are knowing how to set the tone and how to connect with the students. After all, the opening must inspire the students to fully immerse themselves in the practice of Yoga so that they get the most from the class. A strong opening offers guidance so the students know what to expect from the session. The focus of the mind is an integral aspect to Yoga and must be established very early. That’s why it is so important to teach proper breathing techniques at the very beginning, as it draws the student fully into the class and into the moment.

© Copyright 2011 – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

To see our selection of Online Yoga teacher training courses, please visit the following link.

http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com/store/

FREE Yoga Report. FREE Yoga Newsletter. FREE Yoga Videos. Free Podcasts. Bonus: Free Yoga e-Book, “Yoga in Practice.”

FREE CONTENT: If you are a Yoga Teacher, Yoga studio, blogger, e-zine, or website publisher, and are in need of quality content, please feel free to use my blog entries (articles). Please be sure to reprint each article, as is, including the resource box above. Namaste!

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