“YOGA” is the artwork of awareness on the canvas of body mind and soul. Yoga is the journey to self. Yoga filters and purifies your soul, mind, and body from all the negative vibes of the world. It is not about twisting or bending your body into different poses or ways but something more than it and a journey of the inner self. This reminds me of the famous quote by Jason Crandell – he quoted,

“Yoga is a light, which once lit, will never dim.

The better your practice, the brighter the flame”

India, the birthplace of rich cultures, tradition and, people, is also birthplace to this divine and soothing practice of YOGA. Yoga and India, are alike with each other. Each year millions of travelers and tourists come to India looking for some peace and tranquility to learn and practice the art of self-awareness – Yoga.

7 Teaching Tips Every Yoga Teacher Should Know

Yoga gurus and teachers once get into the practice of teaching Yoga; discover that yoga is both a science and an art. There’s a huge difference between leading practice and teaching a class that inspires every student and light up them with new ideas, vision, and thoughts. Many different tools and ways are used while teaching Yoga practice. Each teacher has a unique style no matter what the class they are teaching. In today’s modern world a teacher teaching such art must have three qualities –

• Patience
• Non- Judgment
• Willingness to serve

Like anything in life, consistent practice will help smooth out the wrinkles and provide many lessons along the way. Below are7 Teaching Tips, Every Yoga Teacher should know to help get the process started–

1. Be Yourself/ Be Authentic

One of the most important tip for any yoga teacher is to be true to yourself. The way one teaches will be influenced by your teaching style and teachers. Let you be the inspiration and influence the people towards the journey of this new art and makes your body come alive and brighten the world around you. It’s very important in any field of teaching to be authentic and true towards your practices morals and teaching as people will automatically gravitate towards your true nature and vibes. People always are in search of human connections and communication. So it becomes very important to be your own true self and then that connection is created, strengthened and appreciated.

2. Design the class around your students

Plan your classes or sessions well in advance with the students and practitioners. Investigating the time for taking workshops or educational programs helps you to instruct and teach more confidently when any individual walks to your places or class. Designing ur class and planning the sessions well in advance helps you to known the requirement of any modifications or adjustments that are ideal and need to be done in each situation or class. This will also help to design the layout that includes various poses for flexibility, relaxation, balance, and strengthening of mind-body. Nowadays themes related classes are creating useful planning and framework. Teaching the students focusing on daily / weekly or monthly themes help them understand and wider the understanding in the world of yoga. Example – chakras or prana vayus.

3. Incorporate the Art of Breathing

Meditation and breathing are the two most important tools of Yoga. The practice of breathing or pranayama is what helps to relax the mind and thoughts. So whenever any class is started a teacher should make the students meditate and breathe for 15-20 minutes to calm their thoughts and be focused. Not only it is an excellent way to open the class or any session but also helps reduce the stress levels and moods as per many types of research and studies were done for the same.

4. Bring Your Notes and prepare the activities/sessions

Bringing your set of notes and activities gives you a sense of assurance and confidence if you miss saying something and mention important tips, you can always refer the notes for the same. It’s a sign of dedication, practice and intelligence to your class to have your notes with you.

5. Practice what you teach and keep learning to evolve

Life is a journey to learn and evolve as and when we practice any new form of art. Self-practice helps one to connect internally and believe in yourself. It’s important for any teacher or guru to keep learning and evolving and be more innovation during the practice with your teachings, so one should continue your education, whether through workshops or training programs. Brush up on anything that you are unsure of and practice what you are teaching yourself by going through it at the same pace that you’ll be teachings it at. Then you’ll be able to understand what you can add, what you can take out, what will flow, and what will work for your students.

6. Maintain and Build relations

In this fast running world, where everyone is so busy and self-centered with their things that what is going around is sometimes not taken into consideration. It is sometimes good to ask and remember small things and qualities about others or student and praise and appreciate them in class or during your workshops. Try to involve and give the students certain responsibilities and leadership and motivating building sessions that encourage the students to show up their emotions and qualities in public too. Organize some communication skills and role-plays along with yoga which also helps the students to be more open up with each other.

7. Follow your energy

You must give time to your students before the starting and end of the sessions or class to warm-up and settle them down. Beginning each class with such awareness allows time for students to gear up for further practices. Get feedback and improvising suggestions from students and everyone around and follow your energy patterns.

Remember why you decided to do your training and why you want to share your love of yoga with the world. Focus on spreading the benefits of yoga to your students and understand that your teaching will constantly improve with regular practice. There may be many, many yoga teachers out there, but there is only one you.