- Ashmayu Yoga
FANTASTIC 4 TIPS THAT WILL MAKE YOUR YOGA CLASS FUN!
March 22, 2019
One of the primary reasons why people choose yoga over other forms of exercise is because there is a significant degree of calm and relaxation associated with the discipline.
In this case, it is the teacher’s job to strike a fine balance. Yoga instructors must ensure that their teaching routines are equal parts fun and rigorous. The experience should be an enjoyable mix of intensive asanas, meditation and moments of learning.
No one likes a tense atmosphere where the sole focus of the students is just surviving a difficult workout. Here are some great tips that will help yoga instructors uplift the vibe and ensure a cheery time during class:
1. YOUR STUDENTS ARE YOUR STARS!
Nothing is duller than a class which is about the instructor’s personal gratification only. Your success as a teacher lies in the experience you craft.
A yoga class is not about a bunch of people coming in and following your instructions for a decided period of time. It is about creating a positive space that is conducive for expression of thoughts and pursuing physical and mental fitness.
As a trainer, you must encourage your students to open up and shed their inhibitions. Celebrate their uniqueness by asking them to share inner passions. Instead of treating it as just a weight loss regime, concentrate on building the confidence of the learners.
Remember that they are not only there for the exercise. They are looking for a transformative experience. You can only achieve that by ensuring that space is friendly and full of life. A good way to get started on this is to conduct small workshops before or after class where you interact with the people and find out what interests them.
Help them pursue their dreams through the spiritual discipline of yoga. Make them feel like they can do it!
2. DESIGN YOUR STUDIO TO ENHANCE THE EXPERIENCE
The ambience of the place of practice is as important as the practice itself. So the moment someone steps into your studio, they should feel a sense of peace.
The best yoga studios are free from clutter and absolutely calm, helping you focus on the class ahead.
Make use of hardwood, bamboo, cork and laminate. Stay away from marble, concrete, linoleum and vinyl. Avoid ideas that are not functional or aesthetically pleasing.
If it does not serve a purpose, don’t let it mess up the place. Choose muted, cooler tones or warm whites over loud colours that demand attention.
Cotton drapes and soft lighting ensure privacy and quiet for your students who often want a few minutes to unwind both before and after class.
Tasteful use of incense sticks (without the bamboo stick) and scented candles are always nice. Decorate the studio space with dream catchers and simple antiques.
Use them to add bursts of colour to the room but be careful as they should not clutter the area. Handy shelves and storage units are important to keep bottles, mats and bags. Use the space to facilitate the experience instead of distracting them.
3. SPRUCE IT UP WITH A MIX OF STYLES
Never let your method of instruction become rigid. There is no one, single way to conduct a sequence.
You should always play around with the different styles of yoga and let them come together naturally so that you have a stellar routine up your sleeve.
This is a great energizer and helps to achieve overall wellbeing goals and improve meditative focus simultaneously. There’s always an element of surprise for your students and no routine gets repetitive and boring.
While coming up with a mix, do make sure that it contains a bit of everything including Hatha, Ashtanga Vinyasa and Props.
A word of caution to the trainers before you attempt a mixed sequence in class. Always study the class profile and their general requirements.
When practicing more than one style, learners can be prone to injuries and they may feel demotivated as they struggle to cope with a routine they weren’t ready for.
As a teacher, it is your job to create a customized sequence that is tailored to the needs and limitations of your students.
4. CREATE A BALANCED PLAYLIST
Music is food for the soul. So it only makes sense that you incorporate it in your routine. More often, instructors play devotional yoga music during class. While that surely enhances the atmosphere, it takes the practice to a much more subdued and serious plane.
It helps to break the monotony by alternating conventional, spiritual tracks with some light-hearted music and groovy tunes. Music not only helps uplift the energy level of the class but it is good for you as an instructor.
Imagine having to teach during a particularly tiring day. Just put on a couple of funky tunes and that will set the vibe right. It truly fixes your mood!
When curating a playlist, keep in the mind age demographics, class length, time of the day, class style, the pace of the routine and the mood you wish to create. It is advisable that before you introduce a new playlist in class, you yourself practice the sequence along with the music.
In that way, you can make the necessary adjustments so that it flows well with your postures and segments.
Don’t you love the simplicity of these handy tips?
Just four little things to do and your yoga classes will become much more fun and interactive than before! Try them out right away!
Thank you for reading my blog. Let me know in the comment section if this article helped you and also let me know if you want me to write about some other topic. I will be very happy to share a detailed blog on it.
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Naveen Sharma
Naveen Sharma is a Yoga Teacher, Health and Wellness Coach! His mission is to “Educate and inspire people to help them discover and nurture their true potential to live a Happier, Healthier and Prosperous Life. He founded Ashmayu Yoga in 2015 with his life partner Sireesha and has trained over 5000 students in last 5+ Years!
Why Strong Women need just a little bit of Yoga!
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Comments:
Ranjani
March 23, 2019 at 10:44 am
Very informative. I especially like the 4th..Thanks.. Keep writing
Shakti Moudgil
March 23, 2019 at 11:46 am
Thank you Naveen Sir for sharing amazing tips for making yoga session complete at all levels.
You are always the source of motivation for me .I love the way you and srisha mam representing yoga with great values , work ethics and laws .
Thank you for spreading love ,light and right knowledge of yoga in world .
Keep sharing your experiences and new ideas in YogaJourney.
Thanks and regards Shakti
nita mali
March 25, 2019 at 7:50 am
Thqu for your concern it was really helpful and handy advices
Pawan
March 28, 2019 at 7:22 am
Beautiful.
shallu1977@yahoo.com
March 29, 2019 at 4:39 pm
Thanks for this useful information,totally agreed to each and every word written about teaching skills,keeping personal and professional approach in mind…for the overall health benefits of our practitioner….and about the ambience, undoubtedly u hv given a pure mystic and holistic touch to the infrastructure of Ashmayu…loved being part of it..
Shaveta Gupta
March 29, 2019 at 4:42 pm
Thanks for this useful information,totally agreed to each and every word written about teaching skills,keeping personal and professional approach in mind…for the overall health benefits of our practitioner….and about the ambience, undoubtedly u hv given a pure mystic and holistic touch to the infrastructure of Ashmayu…loved being part of it..