Tai Chi Chuan, Qigong, and Yoga Classes in Portland, Oregon.
How Not to Mistake Right and Left Cues When Teaching Yoga
Yoga teachers often face their students during class and explain things as they go. As a result, teachers must constantly be thinking like a stage director—stage right and stage left. If you regularly get mixed up when teaching Yoga class, relax because you’re not alone!
Whatever room or space you’re teaching in will have distinguishing objects and features that you can call attention to. For instance, there might be one wall with windows, another with a plant, etc. When calling out instructions you can say, “Reach out toward the window wall,” or “plant hand up to the sky.”
It’s a simple way to orient everyone in the room and it works!
Be Quiet
Sometimes teachers feel as if they have to bequeath a pearl of wisdom upon their students in each and every single class.
The lessons I remember most were often pebbles carelessly dropped from the pockets of my teachers who most likely have no recollection of the things they said. It’s as if they plopped ideas into my psyche and the meaning didn’t make sense until the waves eventually rippled to the shore.
So when teaching a class allow the body to tell the tale. Let the posture be the plot and allow each individual to determine their own motivations. Let them breathe.
The practice isn’t a construct like a class. Practice is self guided, ongoing, never ending and ubiquitous with the individual. Class is something we must attend during a particular time frame. We must go to it and do as we’re told while we fear social scrutiny. Practice is lonely but free.
The student who stops and steps off the path to smell the roses, or one who crosses the river on a log while the others get their feet wet, that’s the student who will find their own way when the teacher is not around. Allowing them the freedom to find their own steps is wise enough. Let it happen without forcing or enforcing. Let it happen without words.
Page 1 of 1
“I have taken David’s Tai Chi class for over a year. As a teacher he is very patient and persistent. He accepts everyone who comes to class at whatever level of ability they may be and encourages them to participate to their best. He expresses a sincere desire to respond to everyone’s questions and concerns. He has challenged me to improve and become better. David is an excellent teacher.”
—Nancy
Follow me on Twitter!