Here are some tips about Yoga teacher conduct during classes. The foundational Yogic principles of all guidelines are compassion, moderation, and courtesy. <br /> <br />5 Common Yoga Teacher Mistakes <br /> <br />Being an effective yoga teacher requires the skillful juggling of many areas of attention. You must observe the ability level of each student as you modify sequences and instructions in real time to meet student’s needs, all while talking continuously! <br /> <br />1. Rigid Class Planning <br /> <br />Many yoga teachers spend extensive time planning each class, down to every pose and cue. While a general plan is a good idea, getting attached to specifics does not leave room for meeting your student’s needs as they arise. Instead, have a general idea of what poses and preparatory poses you’d like to include, and adjust how you present those poses based on the ability levels in the room. <br /> <br />2. Rote Cueing <br /> <br />Some teachers give the same few cues each time they teach a pose, regardless of how the class is performing that pose. Rather than delivering a rote list of cues for a given pose, scan the room to see which alignment issues most need to be corrected and start there. <br /> <br />3. Lack of Personality <br /> <br />Anyone can learn yoga poses and associated cues, but the reason people return again and again to certain teachers is because of what that teacher’s personality adds to the class. If you are afraid to be yourself or if you are attempting to fit into a “yoga teacher” mold, you may come across as unoriginal and fail to build a following with students who need your special brand of teaching. <br /> <br />4. Heavy focus on Innovative Sequencing <br /> <br />Most teachers would like to teach a creative, innovative class. Unfortunately, if not well executed, this desire can create a class of unnecessarily complicated or confusing sequences. Excessive focus on innovative sequencing may come at the cost of a smoothly flowing class and the necessary focus on safe alignment. In a class of beginners or mixed abilities, the most effective way to get them from one pose to the next is often the most familiar transition. <br /> <br />5. Too much effort on Environmental Elements <br /> <br />It’s easy to get bogged down in creating a “perfect” experience for each class, from music to lighting to the general feel of the space. However, people are ultimately paying to be led through a yoga class that meets their physical and mental needs. Item one on your agenda should be teaching clearly and safely. It is not necessary to design a new playlist for each class, or to match the lighting to the style of yoga you will teach. Focus on teaching first, and the other elements will evolve as you gain experience. <br /> <br />Yoga Teacher Etiquette <br /> <br />Teaching yoga is complicated enough without the worry that you’ll misstep and lose the trust of a student or fellow teacher. Here are some guidelines for proper teaching etiquette: <br /> <br />1. Timing: Arrive at least 30 minutes early for class and plan on being at the studio for 30 minutes after class, so that students have time to speak to you one-on-one. They may have information about themselves that you will need to teach them safely and effectively, or specific questions about practice. Beginners may be especially apprehensive about class, and spending a few minutes speaking to the teacher increases their comfort and allows them to ask questions about what to expect. <br /> <br />Begin and end class on time. People have scheduled yoga classes into their day and need to reliably know when they should arrive and when they will be leaving. If you do realize that class has gone overtime, inform the class immediately so that those with time-sensitive schedules can leave. Keep a clock easily visible in the room, or wear a watch and check the time often to ensure your class will have sufficient time for Shavasana before ending on schedule. <br /> <br />2. Touching: Ask permission before providing hands-on adjustments or cues, especially with new students. Students, for various reasons, may have particular touch preferences or may not want to be touched at all. Many students appreciate being quietly asked if they would like an assist prior to being touched. This may not be necessary for each adjustment in the case of familiar students whose bodies and touch preferences you already know. If there is any level of doubt, ask your student for guidance or avoid touch altogether. <br /> <br />3. Speaking: As a yoga teacher, it is important to maintain confidentiality in your relationship with your students. In order to receive appropriate instruction, it may be necessary for them to reveal certain health conditions to you that should be held in strict confidence. Never refer to any of these conditions during class or discuss them with anyone else unless given express permission to do so.
