By Bhavan Kumar
What are the most important tips for yoga teachers to know? Although yoga is rejuvenating, calming, and one of the healthiest activities you can engage in, teachers are expected to be professional, safe, and participate in continuing education. No studio or health club wants an unsafe teacher on the staff. An instructor’s personal practice, continuing education, and the quality of classes taught must be run as such. That said, to do a good job, teachers must remain mindful of their own practices, perfecting their own inner evolution in yoga in order to pass on what is at its core a holistic health maintenance system.
Preparing the Class Space
Since you are responsible for checking people in, you must be the first one to arrive each day. Doing so allows you to ensure the room’s feel is equally rejuvenating and calming. Teachers who are late for class do not remain on the staff for long, which makes this one of the most important tips for yoga teachers to know because being late for class, running classes late, or quitting early ranks among the most common reasons why teachers are fired.
Class Atmosphere
You can do various things at the start of each day to ensure that your students enjoy their yoga journey. For instance, you should dim the lights as this will soften the room and set an atmosphere that is distinctly different from the everyday world. Playing soothing music is another great way to set the mood and help people get into a relaxed state of mind.
The Arc of Each Class
No matter the style of yoga you teach, it is important that your classes have a calming sequence that facilitates the rejuvenation and soothing results that practicing yoga brings. For instance, you could begin each class with breath awareness, followed by warm-up postures to help your students transition from the stress of their day, allowing them to immerse themselves into the class experience fully.
Class Closing
Regarding ending a class, you should slowly increase the transitioning time between poses (slowing the pace) rather than abruptly ending the class. For instance, remaining in passive postures for a bit longer (per posture) nearing the end of the class or allowing students to stay in calming postures before the close of the class can help your students further enjoy these restful poses and end the class peacefully. Additionally, this pose preference at the end of the class sends them back into the world with peaceful minds.
Music as an Option
Music is not required, but it can improve the ambiance of a class. Incorporating music can enhance the student experience. However, it is important to choose music that mirrors the feel of the class. For instance, you should consider rhythmic music that matches the pace of a vinyasa class or relaxing spa-like music for a restorative class. Therefore, the music’s pace should match the class’s pace.
Explanations
The most effective yoga teachers ensure that each class is comprised of sequences that are delivered to their students clearly. For instance, each pose should incorporate appropriate breathing, and the message behind each pose should make sense of the overall theme of the class. You should also be sure to continually observe your students and help them adjust their poses when needed. Remember verbal assistance is just as valuable as physical assistance. Many facilities have “hands-off” policies regarding assists.
Be Prepared
Planning your classes ahead can be the difference between a great experience and a class that leaves people feeling less than enthusiastic about your classes. A good way to ensure you are always prepared is to write down the sequences and postures for each class in a notebook that you can reference if needed.
Revenue Streams
If you decide to teach yoga full time, you have to do more than teach group classes to make a living income. Some instructors teach private lessons, specialized workshops, and other healing modalities and sell related products or services. Some teachers have retail websites with services and holistic products.
Making Equipment Available
Selling merchandise online and in your retail location might seem difficult if you are not a natural salesperson. The good news is that you do not have to be. In the same way, people practice yoga to be healthy and achieve a sense of inner calm, they very much love buying gear associated with hobbies, interests, and organizations they value. As such, you are not just selling them gear. Instead, you are making available options for them to even further identify with yoga practice. Therefore, you are helping them remain mindful and excited about gearing up and getting to class.
Process of Personal Development
In the same way, other professionals in any industry commit themselves to continue education, yoga teachers should practice and continually improve their abilities. Continuing education is a key to gaining a deeper understanding of the practice of yoga. As teachers, we strive to pass the knowledge we have acquired to our students.
Your Personal Growth in Teaching
You are finding a network or someone whose practice and heartsease you resonate with will enhance your growth. A great teacher will act as a source of inspiration, and encouragement, and will push you to develop your areas of expertise as you continue to teach. Take the opportunity to meet teachers online or in person, ask questions, and determine if a working relationship is a good fit. You must work well with a mentor or group.
Soul Searching
What do you hope to accomplish by teaching yoga? What resources and time do you have to support yourself? Will you be doing additional training afterward? Will you be making a life transition or attempting to open up your own yoga studio? These and many more questions must be asked and answered to make sure you are prepared to make the shift from student to teacher. The changes might be uncomfortable, but you should welcome them and see how wonderful your transformation will be.
Personal Growth
It can be tempting to model your practice after another teacher, but you will only go so far without the creativity of your own. As you continue your practice and teaching, be open to learning from and growing from your students, your teacher, and events in your own life that you can bring to the mat. Using life experiences and your personal growth to enhance your practice is one of the most powerful things that you can do to become the great yoga teacher you’ve always dreamed of.
Continuing Education
Teaching is a wonderful journey of awareness, reflection, strength, and self-discovery. Cherish each experience, commit to learning something new daily, and stay humble as you strive for greatness.
© Copyright – Aura Wellness Center – Publications Division
Related Resources
Science of Yoga: Understand the Anatomy and Physiology to Perfect Your Practice
The Science of Yoga (The Risks and the Rewards)
by Leslie Kaminoff and Amy Matthews
52 Essential Principles of Yoga Philosophy to Deepen your Practice
by Rina Jakubowicz.
A Relaxing Way to De-stress, Re-energize, and Find Balance
by: Gail Boorstein Grossman.
YOGA: THE PATH TO HOLISTIC HEALTH
by B.K.S. Iyengar
TEACHING YOGA: Essential Foundations and Techniques
By Mark Stephens
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