Teaching a yoga class is a big responsibility. You have to know how to get all of your students to relate to what you are teaching them despite everyone in your class having a different learning style as well as differing ability levels. What are some ways that you can learn how to teach yoga classes in an effective manner?
Pay Attention During Your Own Training Classes
Before you start teaching your own classes, you will have to become a certified instructor. When you watch your teacher, look at what he or she does well and emulate that as best you can. In most cases, your teacher is going to be patient, charming and disarming of anything negative that happens during class. Think about whether or not you enjoyed your own learning experience and make sure that you make the learning experience fun for your students as well.
Your students won't mind telling you whether you are doing a good job or not as an instructor. While they may not say that you are a bad teacher to your face, they will tell you how they feel by not showing up to your classes or using body language that suggests that they are not having a good time in your class. If you notice that your students are not coming back to class or don't seem to be interested in what is going on, you know that you need to change things up a bit.
Everyone Is There to Relax
The point of yoga is to relax and feel inner peace. This means that you need to be relaxed as well. Although it is easy to get excited when a class is going well or nervous when you first start teaching, you need to keep yourself calm or at least not let your emotions show through. However, the good news is that you shouldn't have a problem getting too high or too low as long as you were properly trained in the class that you are teaching.
Just because your students may come to class in tight pants or other types of somewhat revealing clothing does not mean that you should hit on them or make any other physical advances. Doing so could put the trust and confidence of a student in doubt and make you seem unprofessional. Over time, your students may see you as nothing more than a pickup artist who preys on those who pay good money to learn from you. While you can't control the actions of other people, you may want to strongly discourage students from dating other students or engaging in physical relationships outside of class.
Yoga is a great way to clear your mind and improve your fitness. If you are going to be a good yoga teacher, you need to be able to connect with your students in a meaningful and professional way. Therefore, remember to relax, keep the classes fun and never cross the line between student and teacher. This will ensure that you are successful in your teaching endeavor.
Faye Martins, is a Yoga teacher and a graduate of the Yoga teacher training program at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA.