Yoga Teacher Training: Asking Yoga Students - Communication Skills for Teachers

By Kathryn Boland

Do you sometimes ask students questions? Do you notice how this can be more effective than telling them what to do - both in their growth as yogis, and your growth as an instructor? Yoga is a wonderfully individual practice, which is (at least slightly) different for each one of us. Yet we aren’t born knowing how to find that best practice for each of us - which is where we yoga instructors come in.

Thus, a tension between dictating and allowing people to find their own answers emerges. Students need guidance, yet which falls short of telling them exactly what to do. It can be a tricky balance to find. To complicate matters, students have varying needs and tastes in instruction style. Asking questions can be a very useful tool in striking that balance. It can inform both parties who are navigating this balance (yes, students are too, as they determine how much to individualize your instructions to their own needs and wants).

There are a few standard times in class when questions can almost feel obligatory. For instance, it’s almost always wise to ask if anyone has an injury or any other physical matter that it would be best for you to know about. It is also best to know if any students are pregnant. It is of course ideal for students to tell you this before class, or for them to attend a prenatal class if that is the situation, but it doesn't always happen that way.

You can perhaps tell any students who neglected to do either thing later that this would be better for them to do in the future, if the occasion is there. Some people live out the stigma of injury, or would rather not reveal that they are pregnant in front of a class. In order to help these students feel more comfortable, you can have them point to an area that may be injured our place a hand somewhere near the belly if pregnant, with eyes closed in a seat or in child's pose as you begin class.

At certain points in the middle of my classes, I like to check in with how students are feeling. I look around the room with a slight smile and ask “How are we feeling?” or “How are we doing?” Most often students smile a bit and say “Good” or “fine". This can help lighten the mood in class. Yoga doesn't always have to be so serious! If there might be anything bothering a certain student, I could then address it. This could be something as simple as reminding them that they are free to take Child's Pose if they're very tired, if the class might have been too vigorous for them (but that’s information for us as instructors as well; how are the other students doing with class?)

I also like to check in with students after classes are done, again with something like the jovial “How do we feel?” Rather than telling them that their practice has made them feel better or otherwise benefited them, these questions open up the space for them to observe those effects for themselves, and at any degree in which they may feel them. Mark Twain once said “Don't say that the lady screamed, bring her on and let her scream.” It's the sense of showing rather than telling.

Any point in class, especially when working with students individually, rather than saying “do x in order to have y happen”, try suggesting a certain option and then asking if they notice a certain effect take place. If it doesn't for them, it's good as a sign for you as the instructor to change your approach. If they do notice the desired effect, they brought awareness to that thing happening, as well as with your guidance better understanding what they did to make it happen.This is true learning, that which will help students grow home practices and grow in general as practitioners - and, most likely, through that grow as people.

It was never really about balancing on one leg are touching one's nose to knee. Practice is about that growth, working towards wellness, and experiencing a feeling of well-being and unity - in the present moment. Asking students about their experience, rather than telling them what to do or how they feel, facilitates this growth and these wonderful effects. Help students learn and see for themselves with such mindful questions. It is one of the many things that we can offer as vessels of this ancient, wise practice.