become a yoga instructorBy: Virginia Iversen

Warrior I is one of the fundamental standing poses of any Yoga practice. This pose is very grounding and invigorating. If Warrior I is taught and practiced correctly by your students, they will feel more focused, confident and stronger after practicing a vigorous sequence of Yoga asanas that includes a series of Warrior poses. With apt instruction, your students will be able to move into Warrior II and Warrior III from Warrior I Pose with little difficulty. As their practice progresses, they will also be able to move fluidly from a series of Warrior poses into Half Moon Pose and Eagle. Both of these poses are particularly nice to move into from Warrior III.

Moving from pose to pose is known in Sanskrit as “krama.” This term refers to how the poses are sequenced or strung together for optimal therapeutic benefit. Elements of therapeutic benefit include strengthening, enhanced flexibility and correct alignment of the entire musculoskeletal system. Sequencing poses well is a fine art, and the ability to lead your students through a great sequence of poses, in order to achieve optimal benefits, comes with practice and mindfulness. Being able to fluidly tailor your Yoga class to the general “bhav” or feeling of your group of students will develop as your knowledge and ability as a Yoga teacher deepens and you get to know your students particular needs over time.

It is also important to be aware of the various levels of ability of the students in your class, the time of day, which you teach, and the general level of energy of your group of students on any given day. Being sensitive to the mood and energy level of the class is an important part of the art of teaching Yoga well. For example, during the holiday season you may have prepared a krama of asanas that will energize your students, but when you begin the class you realize from the tired and drained look on many of your students’ faces that a restorative class is more appropriate. You may still be able to teach a similar sequence of asanas by substituting a few slower-paced, seated forward folding poses for some of the more vigorous standing poses. In this way, you will be honoring your students’ needs in the moment while still offering them a thorough and challenging Yoga class.

© Copyright 2012 – Virginia Iversen / Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division

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