9 Tips for Teaching Your First Yoga Course!

You have just completed the official yoga teacher training course and now, you are all set to conduct your very first yoga class. As exhilarating as it sounds, it also brings apprehension and fear for some of us, the fear of conducting a poor class, the apprehension of getting jittery between poses. You want to do your best and this is surely possible. All you have to do is take a few deep breaths and follow these important tips for efficiently teaching your first yoga course. So read on below. 

 

Do a Proper Introduction & Induction 

 

Before even discussing a breath, introduce yourself first. An introduction is a good way to connect with the class on a level where your students can build a recall value. This introduction is even better when accompanied by an anecdote that shows how human you are, that underneath all this tone, flexible body, and teaching capabilities, you are also a regular human being who has done their fair share of the struggle while attaining the skills and expertise of a yogi. This would not only help the class start on a positive note but also help them connect with you as a guide and a being. Post introduction, take your students through a small induction outlining the agenda of the class and what we aim to accomplish from today's session. Do not forget to mention your certification and credentials especially if you have done yoga teacher training in India. Most of us crave authenticity and if we get the opportunity to learn from someone who went to the place of birth to study something, then we automatically trust them more. 

 

Start the Class On a Unique Note

 

This will contribute to your brand value as you gain recognition as a yoga teacher. How you start your class matters? Do you straight away start with the asana practice or do you chant a mantra, help the class enter into a meditative state before commencing the practice or do you lay/engage in pranayama therapy first? Decide on how to begin your classes that puts everyone in the zone of a yogi. Most likely than not, the students you would be teaching come from a place where they want to attain a work-life, body-mind balance. When you start the class, they should be able to hook onto it. 

 

Self-Practice Is The Key To It All

 

Your own practice will take you places as a renowned yoga teacher. Self-practice plays a key role in sharpening your mind and body and molding you into the shape of a serious yoga teacher. Hence, make sure that you set aside a fair portion of your time to prepare for the next classes or to keep honing your skills as an advanced-level yogi. With yoga practices at your fingertips, you will be more confident and equipped to conduct a class. 

 

Make Sure That The Learning Never Stops

 

Beyond self-practice, learning also plays a crucial role in deciding your future as a keen yogi. It takes more than life itself for a yogi to attain the complete state of samadhi (to unite with the divine, the ultimate goal of yoga). A yogi goes through a lifetime of self-practice, learning, and exploring, imbibing teachings from the ancient scriptures before they can reach even close to the attainment of samadhi. We are not saying that is your goal too. But if teaching serious yoga is, then it is important to continue to learn and explore the art form. Learning yoga just starts with 200 hours yoga teacher training in India. It is just the beginning. There is a whole new journey ahead. 

 

Gear up like It is Your Finest Yoga Class

 

You might have heard of this, "Dress up for the job you want". This is true for a yogi as well. Gear up like you are taking the class of your life like there is no tomorrow. It is inspiring for the students to see how motivated their teacher is, the one person they want to trust for their health and wellness. Hence, make sure you are dressed and set for it in terms of the outfit, accessories, hairdo, and the ambiance. Here are a few tips to help:

 

* Tone down the ambiance with some soothing music.

* Light some aroma candles so it feels fresh even though people would be dripping sweat from the asana practice. 

* Wear a well-coordinated outfit consisting of yoga pants, a t-shirt, and the right innerwear. 

* Get a good-quality yoga mat, a water bottle, and some towels by your side. 

 

Do Sanskrit Translations Wherever Possible 

If you are teaching a traditional yoga class, then it is good to do Sanskrit translations of the asanas and the therapy for the purpose of maintaining authenticity and tonality so that the students can relate to traditional yoga. You can start with a Sanskrit mantra or you can teach the name of each pose in Sanskrit before translating it to English.  

 

Observe Each Student & Help Them Individually

 

Whether this is your first yoga class or your 100th, paying individual attention to each student whether making postural adjustments or helping them reap preset goals from the class you are conducting, is appreciated when you personalize the experience rather than teach the class like you are teaching a mass. However, be careful to maintain space. No student likes a teacher who steps all over their space. Respect the boundaries!

 

It is Okay To Do Your First Class for Free

 

If this is your 'first' first yoga class as a yoga teacher, then it is a good idea to consider making it an 'experience' class rather than making it a class that you want to make an earning from. And if that means taking this class for FREE in return for exposure and gathering feedback from the target clientele, then it is totally worth it. Once you are honed as a yoga teacher, you can set the price as per the market and your level of expertise.  

 

Take Feedback At the End of the Class

 

Closing the session with savasana (corpse pose) is amazing, but end the class after gathering genuine feedback from your students. It is crucial and would lay the foundation for your next class. The audience is the best critic. It helps if you combine the feedback with the advice of your mentor to design a holistic class. 

 

If you are looking to upgrade your skills as a yogi or want to gain hands-on experience in teaching a traditional yoga class, then try exploring the yoga  certificate courses in Varkala, Kerala, Rishikesh or Mysore in India. These places are the sources of origin of traditional yoga.