How to Teach Yoga Poses

Effective yoga instructors use a variety of techniques to provide easy-to-follow directions that safely guide students into poses while encouraging them to explore and experiment. Keep in mind that all students learn differently: some learn by observing the pose, others need to hear instructions and see the pose demonstrated, and some prefer to try out a posture first and then receive more detailed guidance afterward. Draw on your creative skills to teach in a way that supports every learning style.

Things You'll Need

  • Yoga mat
  • Yoga block
  • Yoga strap
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Instructions

    • 1

      Explain proper alignment. Correct alignment makes yoga safer and more effective. As you lead your class into a new pose, explain which muscles should be engaged. Illustrate how to move more deeply into a posture, and point out clues that indicate when to ease back on intensity. Cue the inhalations and exhalations at the beginning of each pose to moderate the breath cycles and keep the class mindful of how they breathe. Tell the students where to concentrate their gaze in each posture, as this ensures better head and neck alignment.

    • 2

      Demonstrate each pose. Do each yoga posture so that students can see what the pose looks like. For variety, ask an assistant or student in the class to demonstrate poses as well. Position yourself in the room so that everyone in the class has an unobstructed view of the demonstration.

    • 3

      Provide a range of modifications. Since everyone has different levels of fitness and flexibility, offering modifications for each pose makes it possible for every student to try some variation, no matter what physical limitations they might have. It is also important to give students to right to opt out of a pose, so suggest alternative rest poses if they need a break or don't feel comfortable with a particular yoga posture.

    • 4

      Get to know your students. The more you learn about each individual, the more appropriate help you will be able to provide. Ask if they have any injuries or conditions that you should know about. If a student does have issues, suggest modifications that can make the posture easier. Observe students throughout the class, and provide individual assistance to ones that need extra help.

    • 5

      Give adjustments. Ask students if they are comfortable with being physically adjusted before attempting to do so. Some students may prefer not to be touched during practice. For students who are open to manual adjustments, be gentle and respectful as you use your hands to guide them into better alignment.

    • 6

      Sequence poses in a logical way. Sequencing makes transitioning between poses more coherent and graceful. When done well, sequencing also aides students in the learning process, as they can begin to link poses together in their mind, and build on their knowledge from one pose to the next. Students find it reassuring when they can predict which pose is coming up next in a sequence.