Teaching Hatha Yoga

By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500


Yoga teachers infinitely differ in their approaches to student advancement. Some teachers will see a physical achievement as the "end goal." Yet, we know that Yoga has many more aspects for advancement. Among these many aspects are: emotional, mental, and spiritual growth.

Yoga teachers might also consider the value of good character in their students. In your community, each of your students represents your studio or ashram. Many people are not familiar with Yoga, so your students do, in fact, represent Yoga, and your studio, within your community.

Now that you see this clearly, please be sure to make your students aware of it. There is nothing worse than an egotist, who represents Yoga. If a person is constantly talking about themselves, they usually end up alone. Granted, most people do like to talk about themselves, but a well-rounded Yoga curriculum should cover putting the ego in place.

Instilling self-confidence in your students is a good thing. There is nothing wrong with a student achieving his or her dreams, but remaining humble is also part of the package. All of us should be giving thanks to a higher power for the quality of life we have. It is easy to be thankful for what we have in this life. Yet, for some people, it is also easy to take for granted, or forget, those who help us.

Now, you may be thinking, "How do I fit Yogic philosophy into my lesson plan?" When is the best time to cover the basics of Yama and Niyama in a Hatha Yoga class? Will I bore the exercise-minded students, who want a "workout?"

Cover a little piece of philosophy, in each lesson, as it is related to life in the present moment; just a short idea, without a big lecture, will do, but cover Yama or Niyama regularly.

In fact, all of the Eight Limbs, mentioned by Patanjali, are important. Review the Eight Limbs and carry them into your classes. Make sure your students get the full experience.

About the student who is bored by hearing a little about the Eight Limbs: Do you really want to alter a 5,000 year old practice to appease someone who cannot sit still for a second? If you visit a few Yoga classes, in your surrounding community, you might notice teachers who do this all the time.

Yoga classes were not designed to be like a drive-thru experience. When teachers take "short cuts," we are giving our students a small taste of Yoga, but the student sincerely believes, "been there, done that." Be honest and let your students know, they are only seeing the tip of the iceberg. As you know, there is much more to Yoga than anyone can learn in a lifetime.

When teaching Yoga classes, there are times when you have to be a "cheer leader." What do I mean by this? There are many interconnected aspects of life, and we all play a small part in them. Each student's level of success, in life, depends on constant positive reinforcement during the day.

When you see an accomplishment, do not hesitate to praise your students. This does not have to be artificial praise or flattery. A heart felt compliment is much different. Far too often, people in general, and some of our students, feel they do not deserve praise, or that they have a right to succeed in life.

Every Yoga teacher knows students, who feel they do not deserve a better life. This variation of negative thinking is "baggage" that holds back all of humanity. As teachers, we have the ability to instill positive habits, which will result in happiness and successful living.

The average student has to see the value of a Yogic lifestyle long enough to cultivate the habit of regular Yoga practice. For many people, this is a big step. You cannot expect new students to be present in their practice, until you point out how to connect mind and body with Pranayama. This may seem very basic, but some students never learn this step because they did not have the guidance.

Does this mean you can reach every student? No - each student has different thoughts, needs, and aspirations. Some people see only the superficial layer of everything. You cannot make everyone see the deeper aspects of life. An example of this is the student who sees Hatha Yoga only as a stretch class.

There is nothing wrong with this. Stretching alone is a good physical exercise, but stretching and exercise are only components of Yoga. Happiness, clarity of mind, tranquility, and Samadhi, require guidance from a competent Yoga teacher.

Eventually, your students will learn to honor the true teacher within themselves, but they need to develop a clear vision of progress, success, and achievement, before they undertake their journey. The starting point in the journey is usually "sparked" by an exceptional teacher.

Teaching Yoga is, in some ways, like parenting. If you have instilled a strong foundation in your students, you will be proud of them and their achievements. The student with Multiple Sclerosis, who is making great progress, or the child who is learning to concentrate, each has a significant success story to tell.

Make it a point to recognize student progress, when you are aware of it. Our advancement, as a species, depends on it.

?Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications