By Kathryn Boland There I was, in my typical Tuesday night yoga class. We were warmed up and moving into some vigorous Warrior flows. Having been on my feet all day long, my quads whimpered for mercy as I bent deeper into Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle Pose). Ok, true, maybe my alignment got a [...]
As they stand in Tree Pose, remind them to gaze at a steady point several feet in front of them. By holding a steady drishti, or gazing point, they will be more able to balance in Vrikshasana. The primary work in Tree Pose is to continue to elongate the spine by rooting down into the earth, in order to expand more fully towards the sky. In addition, by gently pressing the foot against the standing leg, your students will feel the hip-opening effect of this balancing Yoga posture.
The yoga studio should be a place to focus solely on the practice. By ensuring the space remains quiet and contemplative, you can reduce harassment complaints. Make sure students know that they should not bring loud or disruptive devices into the studio. This means no cell phones, tablets, or MP3 players. To ensure your students remember this rule, post signs outside the studio for them to see upon entrance. If a student is being disruptive, use gentle reminders to ensure the studio stays a comforting and meditative space.
My viewpoint is as follows: If you make too much money doing anything, give it to others. Help local charities and causes that exist for the good of the entire planet. If you want world peace, to feed the hungry, clothe the poor, or to save the whales, there is a charity for it. If you want to create a new charity, take your money and start one. My point is simple; it's not that easy for many people to have huge surpluses of money. If you have a fear of making too much money, just give it away. This is not the concern of most people, because most people need more money and they need to change the path they are on.
Leave your own mat when possible. Do not stay at the front of the class the entire time, but rather walk through your class. Offer suggestions to your students’ poses such as modifications or advanced moves when the poses allow. Remember that all of your students will progress through the poses at their own pace and may require modifications based on their own needs. Your students will thank you for the individualized attention you can give them during the class.
Yoga has many healing properties and can do many amazing things. From mind to body and the energy in between, it is a sacred practice for a reason. When a practice incorporates body, mind and spirit, it’s little wonder most of the claims have a base in truth.
A yoga student will ideally have many yoga teachers in his or her lifetime. One teacher cannot act as an expert in all styles, modalities and afflictions, especially with the diversity of the human population, the human body and the number of options in yoga styles today.
Before people begin teaching, they usually practice yoga themselves on a daily basis. However, once instructors begin teaching multiple public or private classes, their own practice may fall by the wayside. This can cause a teacher to lose what they were so passionate about before they started teaching. In order to avoid burnout, it's important to keep up with your own practice. While you may not have as much time each day, it's still important to find at least a little time for yourself daily. Doing some of your favorite poses on your own time can help you feel invigorated and restored, giving you the boost you need to stay excited about being a yoga instructor
Teaching yoga can be so much more than just a job – it is a unique experience that brings many people fulfillment and happiness. However, everyone, no matter how wonderful their job is, can get into a rut sometimes. If you feel like you need a burst of energy for your practice, try these tips before your next session.
When we increase our physical activity level, the risk of sports-related injuries often increases. This is especially true of vulnerable areas of the body, such as the Achilles tendons, hamstrings and lower back. The shoulders and wrists are also quite vulnerable to repetitive sports-related injuries, hence the phrase “tennis-elbow.” The type of injuries that a Yogi or Yogini may experience usually depends on a combination of personal history and the kind of activity he or she is engaging in. For example, if you tend to have tight leg muscles, the likelihood that you may experience a tight lower back is also quite high.
