Teaching a yoga class can be an incredible way to relax the body and mind while helping others do so as well. However, expertise in yoga alone isn't enough to qualify one to teach: the prospective yoga teacher must also be calm, patient, and reliable. For many people, yoga class isn't just exercise--it's a relationship with a trusted mentor. That becomes twice as true if the prospective guru, like most yoga teachers, plan on offering private lessons. Intimidating as that all might sound, the truth is that keeping the necessary demeanor as a yoga teacher can be easy if one keeps the following tips for how to teach yoga students in mind.
1. Walk Before you Run; Breathe Before you Handstand
Students of all varieties can be intimidated when their instructor pushes them too quickly. Unless you're completely sure that your students--from the fastest to the slowest--have mastered their breathing, don't move on to more complex exercises. If one or two students seem to be lagging behind the rest of the class, consider suggesting that they take up private lessons. Only after doing so should you move on to chaturanga or other advanced exercises.
2. Don't Push Too Hard
It's important to let your students know that, if a position is causing them any but the mildest pain, they should immediately stop attempting it. Instructors typically suggest that students having trouble with an exercise discretely communicate this with them, or ask for additional help after class. Students who simply need a break should be recommended either the child's pose or corpse position, both of which are comfortable stretching positions that will let the student catch his or her breath while remaining limber and flexible. Finally, make sure that your students are comfortable saying no if your adjustments are in any way hurting them or making them feel uncomfortable (some students might prefer you not touch them at all: needless to say, this preference is to be respected!)
3. Set Boundaries
On a similar note, make sure to set appropriate boundaries with your students. Some students might be tempted by the therapeutic effects of yoga and faith in your authority to ask you for help in their personal lives. While this can be acceptable in very small doses, it's important that they recognize that you are just a yoga teacher, not a psychiatrist. Similarly, while it's well and good to be friendly with your students, be careful not to show favoritism, as this could give the wrong idea. Even if you just mean praise as encouragement to demonstrate further exercise acumen, students might mistake this for special friendship or even romantic interest... and that's a position that's uncomfortable for everyone.
4. Dedication isn't Just for Students
The key to how to teach Yoga students, in the end, is dedication. It's believing in every student that comes in your classroom, and not giving up on them or judging them. It's attending class every day, energetic and ready to both learn and teach. Above all, dedication as a yoga teacher is never being afraid to learn more, and to adapt your lessons for every student you meet. It's not easy to mix humility, empathy, and dedication in this way, but the rewards for both you and your students more than justify the effort.
Faye Martins, is a Yoga teacher and a graduate of the Yoga teacher training program at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To learn more about safe teaching methods, or see videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about teaching Yoga, please visit the community.
