| Have you ever heard a Yoga teacher cue without | | | | The "Hey You" Yoga Instructor |
| thinking? Did you ever wonder if cueing was actually | | | | Speaking of outspoken Yoga teachers; have you ever |
| covered in his or her Yoga teacher training? Let's take | | | | heard a Yoga teacher call out a student's name to |
| a look at some common mistakes Yoga teachers | | | | make a correction? It sounds something like this, "Hey |
| make when cueing. | | | | Dave, turn your back foot in 45 degrees!" Some |
| Most Yoga students retain information by actually | | | | students come to Yoga teachers for stress |
| performing a technique. Some studies estimate that | | | | management or self-esteem. Do we know every one |
| 90% of all people learn by "doing." In comparison, only a | | | | of them? |
| small percentage (10 to 20%) of your Yoga students | | | | First demonstrate the Asana, then cue, and mildly |
| will retain what you demonstrate or what they hear. | | | | repeat if "Dave" does not catch on. If he still does not |
| Below are some examples of what never to do when | | | | get it, walk over and give him an assist - if it is |
| cueing your Yoga students. | | | | permitted. You could also give assists to other |
| The Introverted Yoga Instructor | | | | students, or at least observe your other students, on |
| Over the past few decades, I have found introverted | | | | your way, to or from, Dave. Never intentionally draw |
| Yoga teachers to be some of the kindest, warmest, | | | | attention to the student who has difficulty. We teach |
| and gentlest souls on this planet. If you fall into this | | | | Yoga, and we must show compassion for our |
| category, speaking up is the biggest obstacle you | | | | students, at all times. |
| have in front of you. | | | | The "You can't do anything right in my Yoga class" |
| For the sake of your own Yoga students, please set | | | | Instructor |
| an audio recorder at the far corner of the room you | | | | Remember Ahimsa (non-injury) and always to cue |
| teach in. When you have time, listen to it. If you cannot | | | | with a constructive purpose. If the purpose of a cue is |
| hear anything, neither can your students. | | | | to bolster your own ego - it is wrong, and it will be felt |
| You can do this as an exercise or find a "coach," who | | | | by all of your students. Yoga teacher ethics teach us |
| will empower you to speak up. An honest friend, | | | | to cue and assist without harming. |
| Master Yoga teacher, or a Professional Speaking | | | | Yoga students enter a Yoga class to improve their |
| Coach, could easily improve your life immensely. This | | | | lives and this is what teaching Yoga is all about. The |
| might not seem to be a major problem to the | | | | Yoga class is tailored for the Yoga student. The Yoga |
| "outspoken" Yoga teachers, but it is very hard for | | | | teacher's purpose is to gently guide students down the |
| some of us to "speak up." | | | | best path without ego. |