How to Teach a Yoga Class

When teaching yoga, you help students to increase their flexibility and strength while enhancing their sense of unity and giving them a chance to tune into their body through exercise and breathing. Though there are many types of yoga--Iyengar, Bikram, Ashtanga, Hatha, Vinyasa and Anusara, for example--the ways of teaching classes are fairly similar. Read on to learn how teach a yoga class.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Choose the type of class you will teach based on your background and experience. Make sure to clearly advertise the form of yoga you focus on so students know what to expect.

2. Create a yoga routine, incorporating basic moves such as the downward dog and plank and adding new moves to challenge and interest students. Decide the sequence of the poses and the flow of the class, focusing on strength, relaxation and flexibility.

3. Demonstrate the poses and sequences as you teach them. Give verbal cues and instructions, walking around the room to gently correct form and praise students.

4. Help students who have injuries or a limited range of motion by showing modifications or using props. Everyone in the class should be able to have a great workout no matter what their ability.

5. Use music specifically made for yoga. Use instrumental or soothing music that flows together from song to song.

6. Guide students in stress relief and meditation as the class format requires. Many modern power yoga classes focus less on meditation and more on form, but most classes still end in a cool down and breathing sequence.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask students for particular pain or stiff spots to address during the class. For example, for back pain work a standing forward bend into the routine and modify the upward facing dog.
• Go slow for beginning students, making sure to show proper form and breathing techniques. You want the students to come back, so give them the building blocks from the start so they aren't overwhelmed.

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[figureyoga]

on 2/28/2009 Learn via distance learning and personal tutorials at www.figureyoga.com

[LG2737]

on 1/30/2008 In addition to going through a 200 or 500 hour training certified by Yoga Alliance you must get liability insurance before you teach a yoga class!

[asananow]

on 1/14/2008 Step 1A - attend Yoga Teacher Training with an experienced instructor. Yoga Alliance is a US national registry of qualified Teacher Trainers and of yoga teachers who have completed the minimum of 200 hours of training.