YOGA TEACHING Archives

How to Teach Yoga by Example: Gracious Acceptance

August 19, 2022July 19, 2015

In this example, you have the opportunity to model a state of gracious acceptance for your student, by asking the student to pause for a moment and notice how his or her body feels right now. As your Yoga student becomes aware of what his or her body truly needs in the moment, without negating, minimizing or justifying another course of action, you will have the opportunity to model a state of gracious acceptance of “what is” for your student. In this way, your student will feel more accepting of his or her own physical aptitude and level of fitness. This state of open, gracious acceptance will then allow both you and your student the ability to choose appropriate Yoga postures and breathing exercises that will truly nurture the student’s strength, flexibility and a deep, inner sense of respectful equanimity.

Teaching a Detoxifying Yoga Class: Twists

August 19, 2022May 2, 2015

Detoxifying Yoga postures also help to encourage the physical removal of waste products through the lymphatic system, which is one of the primary ways that the body has of cleansing itself. Of course, a balanced, regular practice of Yoga postures and cleansing pranayama exercises helps to detoxify both the body and the mind. By including specific twisting asanas into the sequence of postures that you are teaching in your Yoga class, you will further increase the beneficial detoxifying benefits of the practice.

Teaching a Detoxifying Yoga Class: Hip Openers

August 19, 2022April 25, 2015

Honestly and accurately gauging your own personal needs and the needs of your students in terms of a Yoga practice is one of the most fundamental aspects of creating a cleansing, safe and rejuvenating practice for both you and your Yoga students. There are many ways to increase the intensity of the detoxification benefits of a Yoga class. By leading your students through a challenging sequence of flowing standing asanas, arm balances, backbends, and inversions, you will support your students in their natural inclination to detoxify during the spring season.

“Take a Second Time Around” in Yoga Instruction and Practice

August 19, 2022April 17, 2015

The practitioner might not be aware of it, but – as an instructor and practitioner – I predict that he or she would have a slightly more open chest when approaching the posture with a different specific focus the second time. After that trial, I foresee that – just from that time of pointed and mindful focus – he or she would also have a firmer, yet more eased base of support in the posture, in addition to a more open chest (and deeper breath as a result). Some individuals do need multiple reinforcements of certain positive changes, them not occurring that quickly and easily. The above method is a good start to establishing those changes as permanent, however.

Addressing Fear in a Yoga Class: Awareness

August 19, 2022April 11, 2015

By: Virginia Iversen, M.Ed If you practice Yoga regularly, when you think of doing Yoga you probably envision practicing in a subtly lite studio, which is adorned with some well-placed statues and graced with bouquets of fresh flowers. This image may resonate with accuracy and provoke a sense of relaxed equipoise. On the other hand, …

Specializing Versus Generalizing as a Yoga Instructor

August 19, 2022March 3, 2015

All involved directors were interested in my offering my knowledge of the form, resulting in my own class in it at the private studio, and workshops in it at the YMCAs (with the appropriate qualifications to students of my non-certified status, as well as discretion on my part as an instructor, of course). My general knowledge set up prior opportunities and good working relationships with the directors and other teachers, while my more specialized knowledge allowed me to contribute something new and fresh (as well as gain great teaching experience, and frankly much-needed cash flow, for myself).

Establishing a Safe Track Record in Yoga Classes

August 19, 2022October 11, 2014

The space exists, at the start of class as you introduce yourself, to ask for students with any injuries to raise their hands and let you know of any injuries or health concerns. Another option for shyer students is to close their eyes and place hands over their hearts for a more anonymous approach. Create your own opportunities to find out more about your students to further establish safety in the studio.

Making Unrealistic Claims About Yoga

August 19, 2022August 7, 2014

Yoga has many healing properties and can do many amazing things. From mind to body and the energy in between, it is a sacred practice for a reason. When a practice incorporates body, mind and spirit, it’s little wonder most of the claims have a base in truth.

How to Protect the Knees in Yoga Classes

August 19, 2022February 21, 2014

There are no knee-opening poses in yoga, so it is important to take a few precautions, which can not only prevent injury but also strengthen your knee-joint.

Preventing Hip Injuries in Yoga Classes

August 19, 2022February 9, 2014

This is just not so, outside of Asia. Most people spend most of the day sitting in chairs, cars, airplanes, or on sofas. This eventually leads to tightening of the hip joints. Keep in mind that most of your students walk in the door with tight hips. It is important to stress to everyone during the warm-up to open his or her hips slowly and gently.