Qualities of a Great Ashtanga Instructor

Ashtanga yoga was introduced to the world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, South India. Ashtanga yoga is a complex set of poses and requires extensive practice and patience to learn. The postures are in a specific sequence and aim to have yogis practice in each of these eight limbs: morality, integrity, postures, breath control, meditation, sensory withdrawal, concentration and contemplation. An effective instructor will have many admirable qualities.

  1. Skill

    • In order to become an Ashtanga instructor, you must be well skilled in this practice. The more experience you have, the better you will be at informing your students on how to improve their own practice. You can assist them to perfect their poses, and you will also understand the difficulties they may face as they learn Ashtanga yoga. One of the best ways for your students to learn Ashtanga yoga is by having you model the movements and breathing techniques.

    Knowledge

    • Besides being able to practice and model Ashtanga yoga, you should also be knowledgeable in the history of it. Knowing how Ashtanga yoga came to be and what its goals are, will be valuable information you can incorporate into your classes and pass onto your students. They shouldn't just be able to do the poses; they should know the purpose of each movement and how it is helps them physically and internally.

    Passion and Wisdom

    • As most people know, yoga is a spiritual practice as well as a physical one. You must be able to incorporate the physical movements with spiritual wisdom to help your yogis get the most out of their experience. If you love and are passionate about Ashtanga yoga, this will be obvious to your clients and they will want to come back for more. Don't be surprised if some of them begin to tell you how your words have inspired them in class, but also long after they have stepped off the mat. One of the main purposes of yoga is making it a healthy, life altering experience. A good instructor wants to change lives.

    Patience

    • Becoming an an Ashtanga instructor calls for a lot of patience. Ashtanga is not something that someone can learne overnight . Tobecome a master teacher, you will need to study and practice Ashtanga yoga for many years. This perseverance will be beneficial when you are teaching. Your students may become frustrated as they practice. Part of your job is to be patient and understanding as you coach them. If you can be patient, the benefits for you and your students are well worth the effort.