I wondered whether any of the teachers out there would like to share some teaching tips with me? I want to vary my classes so that they don't get into the same old routines every time. Thank you DB
then practice more. practice different styles. every class pick one new thing to add - i always do abdominal work, because i think its important to heat up the core of the body for the rest of the practice, and i do some sun salutations 90% of the time as well, other than that, sometimes i even ask what people want to work on and we go from there. . . what style yoga do you teach?
There are two or three core sun salutations. Using those you can build an endless number of variations by adding asanas at various points. I played with this to the extreme one session and did one long slow sun salutation that took nearly an hour to complete. For me, vinyasa styles allow for an endless flow. Styles like ashtanga are built on very specific sequences. I agree, practicing different styles is probably the best way to add to your asana bank.
I teach hatha yoga and try to add something new or two or three new asanas every class. I include sun/moon salutations, relaxation (start/end) and have even added in some meditation. All my classes so far have been girls and the area they usually want to work on is the middle - thighs, bums, tummies, hips, so I do quite a lot there but I include asanas to work every part of the body every time, so its always a full workout. Maybe I am just getting paranoid about the class getting bored - I have asked them though and they enjoy it and say its varied enough. I try and get as much input from them as possible. My classes do vary, as some are more interested in some aspects and other in other aspects. I think I would like to do some more sequences though. I'll have a look at vinyasa.
Before class one day, you could ask them to name the favorite three and most dreaded three asanas. It's always good for the teacher to get some feedback. You could also try a faster session one day and a slow one another then asked which one they liked better and why. I'm sure you're doing fine but it's great to talk with others about teaching.
How many asanas would you usually do in a session? I didn't used to do nearly as many as I do now, but my classes are getting quite good now. I just wondered whether I am actually not concntrating hard enough on them and moving on too quickly?
Hi DuskBreeze You seem like an interesting type of gal. I'm Jackson, a musician/writer from England and having just signed up, I was wondering if you fancied a wee chat with me sometime?
It really depends. Like you said, once the class knows the flow, you can add more. Vinyasa style usually has more asanas as you hold them for shorter periods of time. I have a rather rapid session where I may do 40-50 asanas in 90 minutes (including variations). There is also a basic Sivananda session that has 12 poses that I also do in 90 minutes including relaxation and breathing.
Hatha means Sun/Moon - Ha/Tha. I recently learned it's pronounced Ha Ta. anyways, sun and moon are two significant polarities in our physical existence. This represents all physical yoga. This includes Vinyasa, Iyengar, Ashtanga, Bikram, Anna Forrest, Sivananda, etc pretty much all physical types of yoga (there are many i have not mentioned or even heard of). What is the description for the class you teach? Begginning Yoga? Intermediate? Advanced? or a specific style as listed above? I think you should tailor your class to whatever the description is. Or change the description to match the class you want to teach - For example, when i first started teaching it was a beginning class but i was practicing a lot of intermediate/advanced yoga. This was reflected in my class even though it was a beginning class i was pushing people to thier edge a lot. I realized this after the first few classes, so i attended some beggining classes by other teachers, and toned down the pace and intensity of my class to one that matched the level of yoga practicioner that came to practice. Does this make sense??? This is a great conversation though =)
I have to say its great to talk to someone/other people about teaching yoga. Out here in the Algarve - Southern Portugal there are few yoga teachers and yoga is getting very popular. But its difficult for teachers as there aren't many classes to attend or other teachers to talk to. The lifestyle however is great (laid back smilie should be here). I haven't been a yoga teacher for that long, nor have I practiced yoga for more than a couple of years or so, but I'm very supple and flexible and fit from gym, squash and body conditioning for years. (and I'm getting on a bit). Any hoooo My classes are for beginners/intermediates. I usually do asanas to suit them, but experiment with them a bit (also for a bit of fun - and tell them so) with a few advanced poses but I do tell them only to do things they can do and try things slowly and carefully. To be honest, my classes are quite good fun and I think I may not take it seriously enough as some teachers are so strict and don't even allow talking in class. Yogi for peace - you make great sense to me! Great reply thanks. I'm hoping to get some pics of me in my yoga studio on the net soon (very inspired by your so cool pics) and my website up and running (in place of the thing I have now). Cebhian- I think I may do a few Vinyasa sequences in future, sounds like a good idea Jackson Hurricain - chats are great. I don't mind communications from anyone friendly - email me or send me a message. That applies to anyone friendly!!! I'm on MSN! (ask for details!) One last thing - if anyone read this far - what do you think of Bikram yoga? I mean why do it at that temp? DB
Why does everyone keep confusing stretching and postures for Yoga? Yoga means union of consciousness, and is a Hindu scientific art of achieving self-realization. In Raja Yoga, one of the eight limbs is called Hatha Yoga, and that is meant to give you control over the nerves of the body, and promote physical balance/health. This system includes Asana, and I think Pranayama as well. Anyway, is this what you guys are referring to? If so, thats a very limited part of Yoga, certainly not "Yoga" in its entirety.
