| When teaching Yoga classes to the public, there are | | | | knows when to stop demonstrating and give an assist. |
| certain components, which separate some teachers | | | | Some teachers can project a gentle or silent |
| "from the crowd." Luckily, all of these components can | | | | message, without saying a word. As a student, you |
| be learned, but what qualities should a Yoga teacher | | | | can see it in his or her eyes, face, and body language. |
| learn to develop? According to one survey, two thirds | | | | A teacher who can project kindness and charisma, |
| of all adults had never taken a Yoga class. | | | | without saying much is filled with passion for Yoga. |
| If we ask the non-participating public to tell us what a | | | | Charisma is the common denominator among the |
| good Yoga teacher should be, we usually hear | | | | greatest teachers of all time. Yet, since it is unseen - it |
| answers like: Athletic, thin, vegetarian, flexible, strong, | | | | is also underrated. A charismatic teacher will establish |
| and the ideal body weight. These are good qualities for | | | | an ethical rapport with Yoga students as a by-product |
| instructors who teach a physical style of Yoga, but | | | | of his or her personality. Many successful Yoga |
| they indicate nothing about their character or ethics. | | | | teachers reflect self-confidence without arrogance or |
| In fact, a Yoga instructor's mission is to teach us | | | | self-righteousness. This type of self-confidence is full |
| something, in each lesson, which we can take home to | | | | of positive energy and is easily seen as optimism. This |
| improve our health. The teacher's physical prowess | | | | is a Yogi or Yogini who has learned to transcend fear, |
| does not teach us anything new; and physical feats | | | | look for solutions, and find success. |
| are not a reflection of teaching skill. As I have said | | | | Some Yoga teachers are skilled at instilling the gift of |
| before, any competent gymnast can perform | | | | empowerment within their students, which translates |
| impressive physical feats. Great coaches do not have | | | | into their valuable life skills. Most students want honest |
| to be elite athletes to train successful athletes. The | | | | feedback and recognition. When a Yoga instructor |
| following are some of the most underrated, but | | | | takes the time to remember names, give an honest |
| important qualities a Yoga teacher should possess; and | | | | compliment, make eye contact, and keep a sense of |
| all of them are a reflection of good character. | | | | humor, students look forward to each lesson. Although |
| A Yoga instructor should be a good communicator. | | | | the public is often deceived by superficial viewpoints, |
| Speaking well is important, but communication is a "two | | | | and hasty judgment calls; the depth of a teacher's |
| way street," which requires listening skills and | | | | character is always revealed to the serious Yoga |
| exceptional observation skills. This is the Yoga teacher | | | | student. |
| who is not afraid to answer questions. He or she also | | | | |