Yoga students often have high
expectations for their teachers, who may be asked to fulfill the role of
unofficial nutritionist, philosopher, personal trainer, spiritual counselor,
and physical therapist. It is easy to forget that your actions are as important
as the instruction that you are giving.
“To thine
own self be true.”
~ William
Shakespeare
Not all students approach the
practice in the same way, so teachers should likewise express their
individuality. Students can spot a phony, so be who you are, and know that that
is enough. Students will appreciate a teacher who is honest with them more than
a teacher that is sacrificing their integrity to embody an ideal. Practice what
you preach, and speak your truth. Whether we are teachers or students, we are
all on a journey. When the teacher is able to be authentic, this frees students
to be more accepting of them.
Safety First
As instructors, we encounter
spiritual and energetic concerns all the time, but we also attend to the
physical practice. A yoga instructor must always practice safely. Although
instructors often have advanced practices when compared with students, we must
remember to listen to our bodies. Set a good example for students by warming up
appropriately before you enter into asanas that require openness. If Svarga
Dvijasana (Bird of Paradise) was calling to you when you planned class, but
your hamstrings are having none of it, then resist the temptation to power into
the asana anyway. Take a modified version and explain to students who
are ready to go into the full expression how they should do it. You are
modeling that even advanced yogis must set aside their egos and listen to their
bodies. In doing this, you will not only prevent injury to yourself, but you
will also show students the importance of recognizing one’s limits.
The seeds we plant on the mat bear fruit off the mat. If
you as a teacher engage in a practice that is authentic and safe, then it is
likely that your students will follow suit.
Leading Yoga Classes By Example
A typical yoga class can include
students from a first-time participant to someone who has been practicing yoga
for many, many years. The yoga instructor is vital to the success of the class
and should also be a participant, showing the class how to carry out the poses
by demonstration.
In many classes, the instructor is at
the head of the class and will say the pose while demonstrating it so the class
can easily follow along. There are some classes where the instructor likes to
be in the center of the class with yoga mats lined up toward the instructor and
other classes where the instructor places his or her mat in with the students.
These last two options are typically for smaller classes and allow the students
to feel a bit more connected to the instructor.
The instructor should be a practicing
yogi and able to carry out each of the poses that he or she wants the class to
perform. Leading a yoga class is best when the instructor is the example. A
first-time student may not know what sun salutations consist of or what an
eagle pose looks like unless they have someone to show him or her. The
instructor can demonstrate the pose while walking through the class to help
students with their positions.
Mirrors are excellent assistants to
the instructor. After the instructor calls out the pose and demonstrates it, he
or she can help a student by facing the mirror and demonstrating the pose
together with the student simply following the instructor’s lead. In classes
where it may be difficult to see the instructor, watching the instructor from a
mirror angle often proves helpful.
If an instructor is injured or physically unable to carry
out the poses he or she wants the class to perform, it is best to have a
regular attending student that the instructor knows can carry out the poses act
as the instructor’s demonstrator for the class. Yoga classes are always best
taught when they are led by example, even if the example is a fellow student.
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2 comments:
Leading a yoga class is best when the instructor is the example. Thanks for sharing this useful article.
Yoga instructor is vital to the success of the class and should also be a participant, showing the class how to carry out the poses by demonstration, Its really very informative article, Thanks for sharing!
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