Useful tips for new and existing yoga teachers.
This section is a new addition to the CYTA website where we will host articles which will help yoga teachers plan their lessons more effectively.
1. Timing and Pace
by Judith Lynch
It is crucial to time your lesson plan and practice its delivery, adjusting the timing accordingly.
Arrive early and start and finish the class on time. Don’t be like the White Rabbit: “Oh dear! Oh dear! I shall be too late!”
Any latecomers can be welcomed as they arrive. When I delivered my first yoga class I ran over time without even realising until a student raised her hand to ask if she could leave to catch her bus! Not at all good as I had not even completed the planned asanas nor reached relaxation and I had already overrun by 5 minutes. Wear an accurate watch or timer and refer to it regularly.
Allow some in-built flexibility in your plan for extending or curtailing the class. The former will be helpful if the class in reality runs a little faster than expected. The latter will be useful if, on communicating with and observing your students in class, you decide it would be better to simply repeat some postures or to introduce something different that you realise might interest or support their needs better that day. However you will wish to cover certain bases eg moving the spine in each direction and whatever else you think is important in the theme or objective of that particular class. So “thinking on your feet” is an important skill to develop. To identify “extra” activities in your written lesson plan you could simply highlight the items in colour/bold or place them in brackets.
Avoid rushing from asana to asana and encourage students to take a few moments between some postures to observe and reflect on the effects of the movements and of the breathing on their whole self. Also provide a little time between stronger postures to simply ease and relax, maybe taking a few deeper breaths. Remember less is sometimes more.
2. Useful Tips when giving a lesson.
By Christine Royle. Dip Ed in Education.
Good preparation. Aims and Objectives.
Use Visual Aids when you can.
Prepare more as a back up.
Have a practice beforehand – Timing and contents.
Have a clock in the room to keep time.
Ask if people can hear you.
Have a well modulated voice.
During a Asana session give alternatives for less able and health issues.
Give advise on contraindications.
Give out Hand Outs /students always like to take something home. Keep them brief.
Don’t speak too low in Relaxation. Voice can seem to fade.
3. Useful tips from Anne Goldstraw
Don’t be afraid to introduce modifications in the poses by using yoga blocks, straps, firm cushion, a chair or even a wall.
I always back up my modifications by saying, don’t think you are a wimp, comfort and not struggling into a pose is important and aids do ease the poses.
Some wooden floors are harsh on the knees and hips. A soft blanket can also be useful.