Teaching Hatha Yoga: Cueing Insights

Have you ever heard a Yoga teacher cue without thinking? Did you ever wonder if cueing was actually covered in his or her Yoga teacher training? Let's take a look at some common mistakes Yoga teachers make when cueing.

Most Yoga students retain information by actually performing a technique. Some studies estimate that 90% of all people learn by "doing." In comparison, only a small percentage (10 to 20%) of your Yoga students will retain what you demonstrate or what they hear.

Below are some examples of what never to do when cueing your Yoga students.

The Introverted Yoga Instructor

Over the past few decades, I have found introverted Yoga teachers to be some of the kindest, warmest, and gentlest souls on this planet. If you fall into this category, speaking up is the biggest obstacle you have in front of you.

For the sake of your own Yoga students, please set an audio recorder at the far corner of the room you teach in. When you have time, listen to it. If you cannot hear anything, neither can your students.

You can do this as an exercise or find a "coach," who will empower you to speak up. An honest friend, Master Yoga teacher, or a Professional Speaking Coach, could easily improve your life immensely. This might not seem to be a major problem to the "outspoken" Yoga teachers, but it is very hard for some of us to "speak up."

The "Hey You" Yoga Instructor

Speaking of outspoken Yoga teachers; have you ever heard a Yoga teacher call out a student's name to make a correction? It sounds something like this, "Hey Dave, turn your back foot in 45 degrees!" Some students come to Yoga teachers for stress management or self-esteem. Do we know every one of them?

First demonstrate the Asana, then cue, and mildly repeat if "Dave" does not catch on. If he still does not get it, walk over and give him an assist - if it is permitted. You could also give assists to other students, or at least observe your other students, on your way, to or from, Dave. Never intentionally draw attention to the student who has difficulty. We teach Yoga, and we must show compassion for our students, at all times.

The "You can't do anything right in my Yoga class" Instructor

Remember Ahimsa (non-injury) and always to cue with a constructive purpose. If the purpose of a cue is to bolster your own ego - it is wrong, and it will be felt by all of your students. Yoga teacher ethics teach us to cue and assist without harming.

Yoga students enter a Yoga class to improve their lives and this is what teaching Yoga is all about. The Yoga class is tailored for the Yoga student. The Yoga teacher's purpose is to gently guide students down the best path without ego.

© Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

Teaching Hatha Yoga: Assisting, Demonstrating, and Verbally Cueing

Some Yoga instructors feel that one method for teaching Yoga is better than the rest; but which one is it? If a Yoga teacher does not give a physical assist, is that wrong? If a Yoga instructor does not demonstrate poses, how can students who learn visually make progress? What about the Yoga instructor who makes an assist before verbally cueing?

There are many methods for teaching Yoga, but students either learn by seeing, feeling, hearing, or a combination of senses. With this in mind, there is no right or wrong method, but Yoga teachers should be aware that some students may have a dominant sense when it comes to learning. This is why teaching methods for Yoga should be integrated.

There will always be a Yoga student who does not like your method, but you should be able to effectively communicate with the vast majority of your students.

Ever since the first Hatha Yoga teacher trained the first Yoga student, there had to be a bonding for the relationship to progress, and for Hatha Yoga to flourish into the many physical Yoga sub-styles, we see to this day.

There are times when, despite all the verbal cueing skills imaginable, a Yoga teacher must make a physical assist. No matter what is said, some Yoga students will learn more from a solid assist than by cueing. This helps a student "feel" where he or she should be. A verbal explanation is close, but is not the same as feeling proper alignment while an Asana is practiced.

This is difficult, if you are from a culture where men and women do not casually touch each other. Sometimes, some students just do not feel comfortable getting physical assist from their Yoga teacher. So, what do you do?

Firstly, before giving an assist, during Asana practice, a Yoga teacher should ask permission. If anyone has an objection, you are better off to demonstrate the Yoga technique or explain it verbally. It is not worth the potential conflict, and each Yoga student has a right to his, or her, own space. With that said, "Tread carefully," when volunteering to give a physical assist to any Yoga student.

Demonstrating Asanas also has its pitfalls for Yoga teachers. Too much demonstrating can make some Yoga students feel like they are just an extension of your workout. Too little demonstrating and some Yoga students may grumble that it is easy for the Yoga teacher to say, when the Yoga teacher is "just walking around." So, what do you do to please most of your Yoga students?

Make sure your Yoga students are exposed to a combination of Assisting, Demonstrating, and Verbal Cues. In this way, you will have satisfied most of them.

© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. To receive a Free e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html