15 Ways to be a More Effective (Yoga) Teacher

Photo: BodyLogique.com 

We all strive to be more effective teachers and there are so many different ways we can do that.

The following 15 tips are written in the context of children's yoga teachers but can be applied to all educators and Para-educators. What others can you add to this list? (Please feel free to add your own ideas in the comment section!)

Room Check: Be sure that equipment is working properly and that here are no spills, unsecured area rugs or furniture or other potentially hazardous items in the instruction area.

Smile & greet each student individually as they come to class. This puts students at ease and helps them feel comfortable coming to class each week.

Introduce new students to the class and welcome them. Let them know where to put their things, and what the process is so they know what to expect.

Know your subject! Educate yourself as often and from as many different sources as possible.

Adapt & modify instruction and activities for students who need it. This helps create a more inclusive environment & allows everyone to participate on their own level.

Keep it fresh! Use familiar sequences & warm-ups as weekly standards, but also incorporate a progression of new postures & activities each week to keep it challenging and interesting. (In an adaptive class, introduce one-three new postures and one new activity per week.)

Keep it moving! Too long of a sequence or activity or too much explanation or instruction will de-motivate and dis-engage your students. Keep the class flowing-transition quickly to new postures or activities after a brief ( 30-60 seconds) of rest/questions or introduction. 

Vary the Pace to match the students' varying energy levels. Kids move in short bursts-while adults gradually build and sustain activity for a longer period. Observe your group to see when that energy level comes up and when it dips. Have a library of activities on hand to help release energy as it builds up-and to bring it back up when it begins to decline.

Follow a general routine so kids know what to expect from week to week. If you start with a greeting activity-then do that consistently each week (you can vary the actual activity-just keep it as a greeting activity) If you follow the greeting activity by a warm up game-then do that second each week- and so on. Keep your class structure simple, consistent and easy to follow. 

Be Flexible! Sometimes the kids will want to play a game longer than you planned for. Let them. The point is that they are engaged and learning. If you planned for them to learn 5 things-but they are completely engaged and will only learn 2 things-that is much better than rushing through so you can check off items on your lesson plan. Relax and allow the kids to show you when to move on (such as when a game does not thrill them as you thought it would!) and when to let them finish exploring the concepts they are interested in.

Be positive and supportive! The class is not about you-its about the kids. Don't bring your personal troubles or worries to class, and be attentive to NOT project your frustrations onto the kids. Kids sense when we are angry or frustrated and will personalize and internalize that and think its their 'fault'. You might be the only person that day-or at all-that has supported and motivated that child, so keep it positive & sincere. Its not our job to make them into perfect yogis-but it is our job to guide & support them in their exploration.

Be Kid-Friendly. There is so much to learn about asana, pranayama, doshas, the sutras, the chakras, the Yamas and Niyamas, the Sandskrit terms for every asana... Ayurveda & even chanting mantras...but the kids don't care about any of that. They just want you to play with them. Use games, art, props and simple, everyday language to break complex concepts into simpler ideas that they can actually use. Show them how it can help them in "real life" outside of yoga class. Figuring out a way to combine Super Mario or the Legend of Zelda into your yoga class, will go  much farther than teaching them obscure words & concepts they are not ready for. Introduce it here and there, and wait until they start asking specific questions to elaborate.

Laugh. Don't take yoga, teaching, or yourself - too seriously. Have fun & laugh. It releases tension & breaks down barriers to learning. It improves oxygen flow to the heart and brain and boosts efficiency & immunity. It really is the best medicine.

Answer questions as simply and directly as possible, even when you are in a hurry. When you take that time to respond to a student, it goes along way not only for learning but for their self-confidence. It encourages them to explore and learn more. If you don;t know an answer, tell them so-and tell them that you will look into it. Keep your word, and come up with an answer by the next class.

Always end with relaxation. This is the time when students can assimilate & process the exercises, breathing and information they have participated in during class. Its a time for them to re-charge their batteries and re-set their thermostats. Do not rush this process as it is the most important! Play soft background music, give foot or hand rubs (if time allows) and let them know that this is their time to just rest. Allow plenty of time for them to come out of relaxation slowly, re-orient and give feedback at the very end.

Contact: Barbara@bodylogique.com

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