Yoga Instructor Training - Your Classroom Communication Skills

By Paul Jerard

For Yoga teachers, there are many advantages to fine tuning the art of spoken communication. When compared to writing, speaking is much more personal. The interaction with one student, or an entire class, establishes a rapport.

Working face-to-face, with a class, allows you to use voice inflection, body language, facial expressions, and hand gestures. Through this, you have created a form of unconscious human interaction, which results in trust.

Some Yoga instructors manage to make each student feel important during class time. A Yoga instructor gives physical assists, when needed, and addresses each student's needs. This is much different from being a public speaker because of the student / teacher relationship.

Yet, a public speaker must also establish a bond, develop trust, and create an open atmosphere. In any type of classroom setting, the student should never be afraid to ask a question. The open environment enables the collective group to make progress, and prevents misunderstandings.

Once open communication is established, there are no limits as to what students can learn in your Yoga classes. Information is exchanged rapidly, clearly, and without confusion. Many times, sincere students, who ask in-depth questions, stimulate the interest of the entire group.

Some Yoga teachers have a firm policy of not answering questions during class time. The concern, among these teachers, is how to handle a disruptive, or ego-driven, student. If you have a person who you feel is purposely disrupting the class, keep your answer short and offer to discuss the question after class.

Yoga instructors can misunderstand the motives behind a student's questions or actions too. Take the time to see the big picture and resist judgments. The student, who is curious, has sought you out for the answers to his or her questions. Students, who ask a lot of questions, cause us to research an old topic again. There is no harm in this because curious students make their teachers better.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

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Yoga Teacher Training - Explaining Attachment to Outcome

By Paul Jerard

What is the method used by veteran Yoga instructors to reach their highest potential? Some teachers joke about it by saying, "Practice, practice, study, and practice again." While this is partially true, there is also a step-by-step process to reaching your full potential as a Yoga teacher; but some people claim we should never be attached to outcome. Otherwise, we will never reach the highest states of meditative absorption (Samadhi). Let's be honest: If you were never attached to outcome, what contribution would you make to your family, friends, co-workers, the world around you, or this life?

To some degree, everyone is attached to an outcome. Every enlightened soul, saint, and prophet, was attached to outcome. Every noble cause is fueled by an objective outcome. Karma Yoga (selfless service) is influenced by attachment to outcome. Everyone is attached to outcome, when performing Karma Yoga. Why else would they do it? For example: Mahatma Gandhi must have been attached to an outcome, which was India's independence. He was one of the most enlightened souls of the 20th century.

Let's get a reality check. If we do nothing, we will accomplish nothing, and if we find a state of meditative absorption, with this kind of a mindset, we are guaranteed to do nothing with it. What a shame it would be if every enlightened soul, saint, and prophet, throughout history, worried about being attached to outcome. Can you imagine if every inventor, explorer, and statesman, in our history, refused to take action, because he or she might be too attached to an outcome? Nobody would ever take action to prepare for anything and we might not exist.

The first person to say the words, "Detach oneself from outcome," had an intention, took action, and was attached to the outcome of saying those words. This is a pure paradox. In fact, this is a complete misinterpretation of the concept of non-attachment.

So, what should we be detached from? Anything which causes emotions, such as: Greed, lust, and envy, should be a consideration. Attachment to worldly possessions, and relationships, should be moderate. When objects and relationships become an unhealthy obsession, or a compulsive preoccupation, immoral or criminal behavior becomes possible. Detachment is noble, and it prevents crime, but we cannot be detached from everything.

Therefore, you can live a spiritual life, help others, show loving kindness, and forgive, without fear of being attached to the outcome. Once again, moderation is a key element in Yoga practice.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

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Yoga Teacher Training Aspects - Reminders to Yoga Students

By Paul Jerard

When we teach a Yoga class, there are many things to remind our students. We want to be sure that everyone, attending our Yoga class, receives the best possible experience. Let's look at a short list of topics that will help your students on their journey of self-discovery.

"Being present for practice," and "living in the moment," seem like worn out slogans, at times, but students need to be reminded; without the mind and body connection, there is no presence in their practice. Therefore, teachers need to remember that Pranayama techniques are a very important ingredient in creating a connection between mind and body, which results in presence.

Non-judgment of oneself, and others, helps students create self-awareness without competition. This is a unique mindset for many people, who come into the Yoga studio from work and commuter traffic. Competition is outside the Yoga class, but it should never be allowed to exist within the walls of your studio.

Yoga students need to be reminded of this, in each class, for their mental health, emotional health, and physical safety. The result is a calm mind and an Asana practice without injury. Every student should leave our classes feeling better than when he, or she, came through the doors.

We have briefly touched on Pranayama, but students need to remember to breathe completely and deeply, throughout the session. As teachers, it is easy to forget what comes naturally. Yet, most people are rarely conscious of their breathing, unless they are reminded of it.

If you teach Asanas in your classes, students need to be aware of their "comfort zone" and their "edge." The comfort zone is self-explanatory, but we know it as a range of motion without pain. The edge is the range, where we are at our physical limit, but we are still not in pain. The saying: "Work smart, not hard," applies to the edge of the movement. Student safety is priority number one, in all Yoga classes.

At the same time, your students should be reminded that the Yogic path is full of discoveries and treasures, which will help them with their inner challenges. They learn from us, but they also learn from within. Self-discovery is a rewarding part of Yoga practice. Therefore, they should be encouraged to develop a safe practice at home, and to take Yoga with them, wherever they go. As any Yoga teacher already knows: Our practice does not end, when we roll up our Yoga mats.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

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

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