| When we teach a Yoga class, there are many things | | | | came through the doors. |
| to remind our students. We want to be sure that | | | | We have briefly touched on Pranayama, but students |
| everyone, attending our Yoga class, receives the best | | | | need to remember to breathe completely and deeply, |
| possible experience. Let's look at a short list of topics | | | | throughout the session. As teachers, it is easy to |
| that will help your students on their journey of | | | | forget what comes naturally. Yet, most people are |
| self-discovery. | | | | rarely conscious of their breathing, unless they are |
| "Being present for practice," and "living in the moment," | | | | reminded of it. |
| seem like worn out slogans, at times, but students | | | | If you teach Asanas in your classes, students need to |
| need to be reminded; without the mind and body | | | | be aware of their "comfort zone" and their "edge." The |
| connection, there is no presence in their practice. | | | | comfort zone is self-explanatory, but we know it as a |
| Therefore, teachers need to remember that | | | | range of motion without pain. The edge is the range, |
| Pranayama techniques are a very important ingredient | | | | where we are at our physical limit, but we are still not |
| in creating a connection between mind and body, | | | | in pain. The saying: "Work smart, not hard," applies to |
| which results in presence. | | | | the edge of the movement. Student safety is priority |
| Non-judgment of oneself, and others, helps students | | | | number one, in all Yoga classes. |
| create self-awareness without competition. This is a | | | | At the same time, your students should be reminded |
| unique mindset for many people, who come into the | | | | that the Yogic path is full of discoveries and treasures, |
| Yoga studio from work and commuter traffic. | | | | which will help them with their inner challenges. They |
| Competition is outside the Yoga class, but it should | | | | learn from us, but they also learn from within. |
| never be allowed to exist within the walls of your | | | | Self-discovery is a rewarding part of Yoga practice. |
| studio. | | | | Therefore, they should be encouraged to develop a |
| Yoga students need to be reminded of this, in each | | | | safe practice at home, and to take Yoga with them, |
| class, for their mental health, emotional health, and | | | | wherever they go. As any Yoga teacher already |
| physical safety. The result is a calm mind and an | | | | knows: Our practice does not end, when we roll up our |
| Asana practice without injury. Every student should | | | | Yoga mats. |
| leave our classes feeling better than when he, or she, | | | | |