A great yoga teacher will connect with her students on a deep level. She will help her students to connect with their inner wisdom, and ignite a thirst for life transforming knowledge.
She will also be able to create a class that is relevant for her students. She will be able to vary class themes, peak poses, and how classes end.
1. Passion
A great yoga teacher has a passion for the practice that shines through their teaching. This includes a love for the physical aspects of the yoga as well as its esoteric meaning.
They are always on the hunt for new information and ways to improve their instruction. This may include attending seminars, retreats, trainings or studying on their own. They are also aware that yoga is a lifetime journey and they will never stop learning.
Great yoga teachers are sensitive to their students’ queries and concerns. They are mindful of their students and can easily switch from a planned yoga routine to what is needed at that moment in the class. This is a good way to ensure that their students are receiving the most benefit from the class. They know that it is not about impressing their students but rather making them feel comfortable.
2. Empathy
Empathy is a quality that helps a teacher understand their students’ perspective. It also helps them relate to their students on a deeper level and provide the proper guidance in class.
Great yoga teachers are kind and empathetic to their students. They want their students to feel comfortable asking questions and discussing any issues that may come up during class.
They also set a professional tone in class and avoid distracting their students with personal conversations or chit chat. If they are unable to answer a question, they politely let the student know that they aren’t sure what to say and offer other suggestions.
Another way a good yoga teacher shows their empathy is by following up with students after class to see how they are doing. This is a nice touch that makes a difference and can lead to increased referrals.
3. Patience
A great yoga teacher is patient with their students and allows them to learn at their own pace. They understand that yoga can be challenging for many of the students in their class and don’t get irritated when they have to repeat instructions or demonstrate how to correctly do a pose.
A good yoga teacher can talk their students through poses without having to physically show how to do them. This requires a mastery of the English language, being able to use words in a way that resonate with the students on a visceral level.
The patience of a good yoga teacher also means being flexible with the class sequence to accommodate the needs of the students in that moment. This flexibility is what shows that the yoga teacher cares about their students. It’s not about their ego but rather about helping people heal through yoga.
4. Flexibility
A good yoga teacher is flexible in the sense that they can adapt to each student’s needs. Students are of varying fitness levels, and some may have injuries or health issues to deal with. A great yoga teacher takes these things into account and gives guidance accordingly. Also, Yoga-alliance accredited options are a big part of a yoga instructor’s credibility.
A great yoga teacher will be able to connect with her students and take the time to answer their questions. This is a big part of what makes a yoga instructor a great teacher, as it helps to build a relationship and a trusting environment.
A good yoga teacher will also be able to be punctual for class and keep to the timetable. This will help to build the trust of the students, and keep them engaged in the class. A good yoga teacher will also refrain from using their phone in class, as this is a sign of unprofessionalism.
5. Intuition
A great yoga teacher has a deep understanding of the spiritual aspects of Yoga and is able to teach this to her students. They also understand the moral ethics of Yama & Niyama and encourage their students to live a life of integrity and respect towards themselves and others.
Intuition is an unexplained source of knowledge that can help guide us in our decisions. It can be experienced as a gut instinct, a sixth sense, uncanny awareness, or a hunch.
A good yoga teacher will use their intuition to guide the class. They will be flexible in their approach to classes and incorporate creativity and innovation. If they are unsure of how to sequence Dancer pose for example, they will be able to think outside the box and find an alternative. They will also be able to inspire their students and encourage them to grow in their practice.
6. Active Listening
A great yoga teacher is able to listen actively and communicate openly with their students. This allows the students to ask questions and continue in their journey of self-discovery. This active listening is done by repeating back the speaker in their own words (but avoiding parroting verbatim), reflecting their basic feelings and emotions, and asking powerful open-ended questions.
Great yoga teachers also pay attention to non-verbal cues such as facial expressions, eye contact and body posture. They are able to read their students and gauge their comfort level in the class.
Being approachable is also very important. It allows new students to feel comfortable with you and the yoga community as a whole. This helps them to build relationships with other members of the yoga community and keep coming back for more classes. It also makes them more likely to recommend you to friends and family.
7. Adaptability
A great yoga teacher knows how to adjust their teaching style and sequences to suit students of varying abilities. They’re also able to think outside the box, adding creativity to their classes.
It’s important for a yoga teacher to be balanced emotionally, physically and mentally. This helps them to be more present and stable in their teaching and gives students confidence that they can rely on the consistency of their classes.
A good yoga instructor is also able to set the right tone in their class by using a harmonic vocal pitch that creates an atmosphere of tranquility and inspiration. It’s also important for them to be respectful and avoid texting or scrolling their phones in front of their students. This is unprofessional and can distract the student from their practice. Being approachable and friendly with new students is also a great way to make them feel at ease in the studio.
8. Communication
A great yoga teacher is able to clearly communicate their instructions during class. This is essential so that students can take part in the class safely and with confidence.
Whether it’s explaining the anatomical breakdown of a pose, or simply providing cues on where to move and how to breathe, yoga teachers are constantly communicating with their students. A good communication skill also applies to the way a teacher presents themselves to new clients, and dealing with enquiries in a professional manner.
A great yoga teacher is a master wordsmith, and can talk to their student’s bodies as they would to a friend at Happy Hour. They understand that their words have a powerful effect on the nervous system, and their students leave class not knowing why they walked differently, but feeling it in their bones.
9. Knowledge
A great yoga teacher knows a lot about their craft. They know the yogic philosophy, asana physiology and anatomy, and the history of yoga. They also continue to learn and explore through workshops, retreats, and trainings.
They have good communication skills that allow them to clearly instruct their students during class. This includes verbal cues as well as visual cues, such as demonstrations and anatomical breakdowns of poses.
Yoga teachers should also be able to recognize when their students are struggling and make adjustments accordingly. Having the ability to tune into their students’ needs and be flexible with any planned routine shows that a yoga teacher truly cares about the people who come to their classes. This also helps to create a comfortable and positive environment that will keep students coming back week after week.
