| Teaching yoga to teens can be a daunting task. They | | | | instruction guidelines. Leaving a little extra time for |
| want to access all the benefits they've heard about | | | | adjustments and verbal instruction is always a good |
| yoga, or try it out since their favourite celebrity is doing | | | | idea to make sure all the students are performing the |
| it. However, teens do not put up with any garbage and | | | | poses and breathing exercises properly and safely. |
| will call on it if they think you are faking or unsure of | | | | 4) Create a Playlist |
| yourself. Here is a checklist that I go through when | | | | Teens love music! Give them what they love. |
| preparing my teen yoga classes. Follow it and you're | | | | Download the top hits and create a rockin' playlist. |
| sure to have fantastic classes full of finding inner | | | | Remember this is NOT their mother's yoga class. This |
| strength, having fun, and discovering the wonderful | | | | is a TEEN class. Relaxing meditative tracks are great |
| world of yoga. | | | | for during relaxation, but otherwise crank the Rock |
| 1) Know your Audience | | | | & Rock, R&B, Alternative, Top40, etc. and |
| In order to teach teens you have to know teens. Tap | | | | get your groove on. If you have no idea what your |
| into their world. Find out what's 'hot,' and what's 'so last | | | | students are listening to ask them to offer suggestions. |
| year.' You'll also need to know what level of yoga your | | | | They may even put together the playlist for you - in |
| students are expecting. These days many teens have | | | | half the time. |
| done yoga with their sports teams or as an | | | | 5) Prepare your Space |
| extra-curricular activity. However, there are still a lot of | | | | All good yoga instructors will arrive early for class. This |
| first timers out there. You may have to cater your | | | | is no different. Classes may be held in community |
| classes to both groups so be sure to provide quality | | | | centres, churches, school athletic rooms, libraries, and |
| instruction. | | | | so on. Some of these spaces will need extra |
| 2) Plan your Time | | | | preparation time. Be sure to check over the space you |
| Know your time frame and plan accordingly. Classes | | | | are using for your class and prepare it adequately for |
| may be 50, 60 or 80 minutes in length. Be sure to | | | | your students. Their yoga experience should not be |
| factor in an introduction and talk time. These are teens | | | | hampered by their environment. |
| after all and they love to talk. Yoga class is also a | | | | 6) Rock their Yoga World |
| wonderful place to discuss coping strategies for real | | | | Showtime! Put it all together and have a great time |
| life problems so be flexible and allow them to share. | | | | teaching teens about the joy of yoga. The benefits will |
| Also, like any good yoga class you'll need a warm-up, | | | | some be apparent to them. They will have greater |
| workout, and cooling portions within your class plan. Of | | | | self-confidence, more flexibility, and learn coping skills to |
| course, sufficient time for Corpse Pose, savasana, is | | | | take with them off the mat. Remember be yourself. |
| essential before you send them away with Namaste. | | | | Be genuine. Your class may be exactly what they |
| 3) Organize the Flow | | | | need to build a lifelong yoga practice. |
| This part will depend on the goals of the class. Is it a | | | | That's it. If you follow the "Checklist for Teaching |
| flow class, Ashtanga, Hot Yoga, or intro to Hatha | | | | Teens Yoga," you're sure to find success. Your |
| Yoga? Maybe you'll offer a yoga sampler class for | | | | classes will be hip, fun, and provide an opportunity for |
| teens to try out a variety of styles. Whatever the goal, | | | | teens to discover their inner yogi. |
| be sure to organize the poses following standard yoga | | | | |