What Makes A Good Yoga Teacher?

[n360]

I've attended literally thousands of classes with a wide variety of teachers over the last thirty years or so and, not surprisingly by now, have a clear idea of what in my opinion makes a good Yoga teacher. A small percentage of teachers are both highly confident and very spontaneous. They have the special ability to simultaneously connect with every student in the class and draw out each students own innate abilities, no matter the size of the class. They can conduct an excellent, refreshing and informative class at any time, in any place, with no need for props or prior preparation.

The vast majority of "teachers" could be better termed "instructors". They cling to the security of their own mat and deliver scripted, prepared,point by point, non-spontaneous "recipe" Yoga classes. No matter how well intentioned the "instructor" may be or how "well balanced" technically their classes are I find these classes incredibly boring and uninspiring. If I wanted to simply be led point by point, totally non-spontaneously through a sequence of asanas I would buy a DVD and follow that.

Trying answering this question in one word. " What do you teach in a Yoga class?"


Many "instructors" answer this question with "postures" or "asanas", which is why they will continue to be "instructors" and not "teachers". In a Yoga class you teach exactly the same as you do in a French class or a Math class - you teach "students"!

Looking forward to seeing some feedback concerning the above.

Terry

[Administrator]

Originally Posted by eganvay

Namaste. Go to the masters.

read the magic of empty teachers. scroll down to page 5 where the
teachings begin. beautiful.

http://www.diamondmtn.org/retreats/m...tyteachers.pdf

-eganvay

One person's enlightenment is another person's injury.

The section about the 200 lb yoga teacher forcing someone a woman deeper into a pose sent shivers down my spine.

Simply speaking these words to a class without demonstrating HOW to
do the adjustment seems dangerous to me.

Peace.

Harlan

[Administrator]

Some just told me today about a famous yoga teacher
cracking the pelvis of a young woman with an adjustment.

I'm shocked.

Namaste.

[YogaPaula]

I've been teaching yoga for a bit over a decade and have a 'small disturbed following' who say they love me. Some go away for a while and then come back. I never take offence. I always tell them to take other classes. But what they tell me about why they love me may be what you are looking for here. They tell me that I make them feel welcome and included. I never know what lessons we will be doing, what poses or which relaxation... I let the Universe decide and that depends on who is in class that day/eve. I allow myself the time before each class to go to the zone myself, for how can I take them there if I'm still 'in my day'? When I'm in the zone I feel what is going on with them and 'know' what is needed. I also make sure that I know what each persons limits and or injuries are and give alternatives to them. I encourage each person to do thier best and not worry about the person next to them being in something further or holding it longer. We all connect to the breath and use that as our 'magic carpet' which glides us all through the asanas. - we laugh sometimes when things get tense and we have time durining each class when we share what works for us... I LEARN FROM THEM EVERYDAY!!!! Then I apply that knowledge in my next class. I also do alot of adjusting if I see a struggle and I make sure they all know what they are doing, how they are going to do it and why they are doing it. - I am very blessed to do this thing that I love for a living and thank the Universe that my first year with a studio of my own has been wonderful. - Yoga Paula

[DouglasRThompson]

I think the most important thing we can do as Yoga teachers is to "Be Aware".

When you have a dynamite class prepared that is fast-paced, involves a lot of strength, and is energetic, and you walk into a classroom full of college students that have just taken their finals, have been up all night studying, and look the the morning after the night before, be aware! Change your lesson on the spot. A restorative class might be just the thing.

If you are in the middle of doing a particular pose, and it seems like most of the class just isn't getting it, be aware! Sometimes we forget when we are teaching an advanced pose to a beginner's class, that it takes some time to master. Apologize to the class. Do something easier.

There are individuals that require attention throughout any Yoga class, but there is a class "vibration" that we all need to tune into. It tells you whether you are doing the right thing, or the wrong thing.

This is what I look for in a Yoga teacher. Someone who is always aware of what the class wants and needs. And this is what I strive for in my own teaching.