Transform Your Yoga Now: 10 Expert Tips

1. Come up with a THEME- Every yoga lesson that has a theme is so much easier to structure. It is much easier to figure out what poses to add, how to add some emotion, how to direct the drishti, and how bring it all together. Some of my favorite themes are seasonal, holidays , Chakras, muscle groups, Yamas, Ninamas, Yoga Sutras. Here are 12 months to get you started:

2. Define your INTENTION- The intention is the thing that you will refer to throughout the class to really drive the theme home. So again, start with the theme and it is really easy to layer in the intention. I like to find quotes or quick one liners that support the theme.

3. Come up with a PEAK POSE- Ask yourself, what is your main goal in class? Are you leading them to try a certain pose or even have a specific emotion? What you do in class should lead to this point and the peak and then lower back down from there.

4. Logical flow of POSES- I like to call this the science of the sequence. It is confusing for students to be jumping up and down and all around on their mats. Start with warm up and vinyasa, followed by standing poses, seated poses, and twists, lead into back bends, and inversions, and finally cool down supine and in savasana

5. Music PLAYLIST- Your playlist should support your theme- is it focused, playful, relaxed, powerful? Again, starting with a theme should make this task easier to create.

6. WATCH your students- This class is not for you- it is for your students. If you come in with a plan (and I highly suggest you do), you may notice that you need to adjust your plan according to the students that are in the room. Watch them so you can adjust your plan if needed. Move around the room giving both verbal and physical adjustments.

7. Arrive EARLY- Wait- this has nothing to do with your class plan. Right! What it will do is build your rapport with your students. They are your main concern after all! Greet them, ask their names, ask them if they have physical concerns if you should be aware of.

8. LAUGH a little- Hey, you are human, you are going to make mistakes. Raise your hand if you have ever said left when you meant right while describing a pose? When was the last time you fell out of a balance while demonstrating? Laugh a little! It will help your students know that they can laugh a little too.

9. Ofter MODIFICATIONS- No one is at the same skill level or ability- offer ways to modify poses with straps, bolsters, blankets, blocks, even chairs! People will come back if they feel comfortable.

10. Quote for SAVASANA- This final quote at the beginning or the end of savasana will really bring the theme home and send the students away feeling fulfilled. I have posted my favorite quote book below (Amazon Affiliate link).

I hope that these 10 easy tips will help you transform your yoga now. Pretty soon, your students will be knocking down your doors screaming for more!