| When you are teaching Hatha Yoga classes, do you | | | | makes your Yoga students feel unimportant. If a |
| ever want to reach out to a particular student, who | | | | student perceives that a Yoga teacher is bolstering his |
| does not seem to understand a Yogic technique? | | | | or her ego, through criticism, the feeling of inspiration to |
| Maybe you feel a bit frustrated that you have | | | | come to more Yoga classes is gone. |
| covered this same point, in the last six Yoga classes, | | | | Pure criticism tends to make Yoga students, and |
| and this student was there each time, but does not | | | | people in general, defensive, emotionally dejected, and |
| comprehend it. | | | | causes a lack of enthusiasm, within the Yoga class. |
| You must first realize this Yoga student is very loyal | | | | Knowing this, every Yoga teacher should use his or |
| and should not be taken for granted. Yoga teachers | | | | her knowledge to influence students. The difference is |
| are human, and feel frustration, but this is a person | | | | that a Yoga student has a distinct feeling of free will, |
| who willingly gives his or her time to learn Yoga from | | | | when a Yoga teacher influences him or her, with |
| you. The Yoga teacher / student relationship should | | | | compassion and true purpose. |
| never be taken for granted. | | | | There is a reason why students keep coming back to |
| A loyal Yoga student is valuable, persistent, dedicated, | | | | the same Yoga teacher. The reason will differ |
| and you should make him or her aware that you | | | | between students, and we cannot please everyone, |
| notice the effort. If you praise what he or she does | | | | but Yoga teacher ethics tell us to speak, assist, and |
| right, your cueing, and assisting, will not be perceived as | | | | cue with compassion. |
| criticism. Self-worth is part of human nature and | | | | When the ego is involved in teaching, this is the |
| creates a Yoga student who is anxious to perform | | | | opposite of Yogic philosophy. There is no place for the |
| better at your next Yoga class. | | | | "drill sergeant mentality" in Yoga. The Hatha Yoga |
| When you speak to your Yoga students, no effort, on | | | | teacher, who lets his or her ego guide the lesson plan, |
| your part, should be wasted. Each word you speak, | | | | during a Yoga class, should be teaching something |
| within your Yoga class, should have a high value and | | | | else. |
| purpose. Some Yoga teachers relish every opportunity | | | | The point is that all forms of Yoga require teachers |
| to criticize their students. Criticizing gives some Yoga | | | | who listen empathically, observe with mindfulness, and |
| teachers an opportunity to hear their own voice and | | | | find solutions for mental, physical, and spiritual health. |
| feel important. | | | | When a Yoga teacher truly cares about a student's |
| Be sure that what you have to say to your Yoga | | | | quality of life, the positive energy can be felt within the |
| students is really helpful. Remember that criticism also | | | | classroom. This is the purest form of influence. |