Tips for Becoming a Good Yoga Teacher

If you’re a new yoga teacher, you’re yet to realize that the teaching process could be described as both a science and art. It all depends on the angle that you’re taking. Teaching students can be a highly rewarding experience if you put your mind to it. It shouldn’t be all about the money because there will be a lot of challenges along the way that make questions about the decision of becoming a yoga instructor. Here are some tips that will come in handy if you’re looking to become a good yoga teacher.

Be Yourself

Every teacher is different and it will be futile to try to be someone that you’re not. Your style could be influenced by those that have come before you but you can always take an individualized approach to take a unique spin on things. It is easy for students to tell when your words aren’t your own and things seem to be forced. Be you and everything else will come naturally, including the words. You can always find a way of infusing your personality into the teachings so that everyone is having a good time with every session.

The Use of Music

This is a sensitive topic since there is a lot of disagreement even among seasonal yoga instructors. Music should be used sparingly as it has the potential to distract the students. It can also uplift the spirits of the students if it is used in the correct way. You can start with music before the sessions so that the students are in a relaxed mood. Music with lyrics will be distracting. It is recommended that you go for instrumentals so that the focus is on relaxation rather than trying to make sense of the lyrics.

It Doesn’t Stop With Asana

Breathwork and alignment are important aspects of any yoga class but it shouldn’t stop there. You can take your students on the journey philosophy so that they get to appreciate it even more. You can also explain the principles behind the different techniques when doing the demonstration. Students are likely to pick a lot more with every session compared to when it is just nothing but techniques.

Theme-based Classes

If you’re searching for a yoga studio in Nashville, you’d want to ensure that you’re looking for one that offers theme-based classes. Themes give you a framework to plan your classes and you don’t have to go through the boring routines that you’ll find with a lot of yoga classes. There are so many themes that you can tackle with every session. You just have to be creative about the process. If you’re dealing with first-time students, the theme could revolve around the history of yoga. They get to practice while learning at the same time. You can be sure that they’ll be eager for the next class as they’ll not know what to expect.

Setting Intentions

This could be challenging depending on what you intend to achieve. The reason why you’d want to set an intention in the first place is to add meaning to the whole exercise. You can do it at the start or the end of the class. It is usually recommended that you’re doing it at the beginning so that it sets precedence for the whole session. The practice levels will always be taken to an improved level of significance with every session.

When and Where

You’ll want to know what the students were doing before the class and what they’ll be doing after the session is done. You don’t want the students to be too wired that they find it impossible to sleep when they get back home. It is easy to read the energy of the students before a session. You can know what needs to be done even before coming up with the session. You might have to readjust the planned session in order to accommodate the needs of the student at that particular time.

To Sum it Up

To be a good yoga instructor, you need to be constantly aware of the ever-changing needs of the students. You can always read the energy when you meet. Don’t take a systemized approach if you want to have success with your students. It is important to ensure that there is education ongoing so that every session is something to look forward to. Learning isn’t something that should stop even if you’re a teacher. There are a ton of resources that you can always use to your advantage.