| Much like any other subject, there are three basic | | | | looking around to see what the teacher or other |
| ways to learn Hatha Yoga. In order to effectively | | | | students are doing. Verbal directions are easy for an |
| process information, it is best to understand our strong | | | | auditory learner to follow. |
| or weak points. Each of us learns Yoga in a different | | | | Although an auditory learning has many advantages, |
| way, but it all comes back to the senses of sight, | | | | students with this strength may find themselves |
| sound, and touch. | | | | reading out loud to retain written information. Some will |
| Some students may have a dominant sense or two, | | | | catch themselves moving their lips in silence while |
| but rarely are we attuned to all three. It is important for | | | | reading. If you retain information from audio books, are |
| Yoga teachers to reach out to all three groups - even | | | | good at explaining, remember verbal directions easily, |
| when he or she also has one or two senses that are | | | | and read slowly - auditory learning is one of your |
| weaker. | | | | strong points. |
| Let's take a look at each learning style to understand | | | | The Kinesthetic Yoga Student: This student learns by |
| ourselves and enhance our abilities. It is rare to access | | | | doing. The feel, touch, and experience of an event, |
| all three senses equally during class, so do not judge | | | | gives this student firsthand knowledge to perform |
| yourself. Just observe from an objective viewpoint. | | | | better next time. With experience, this student |
| The Visual Yoga Student: Learning by sight is a strong | | | | becomes exceptional at Yoga and any other |
| point. This student learns by taking notes and reading | | | | hands-on activity. |
| books. In Yoga classes, this person will usually see the | | | | Therefore, physical or mental practice makes the |
| subtleties of alignment, when a teacher demonstrates | | | | kinesthetic learning student much better over time. A |
| an asana. | | | | physical assist is most beneficial to a Kinesthetic Yoga |
| Yet, this same person may not pick up the concepts | | | | Student. |
| of Pranayama or meditation as easily. Pranayama and | | | | Kinesthetic learning has a distinct advantage, as the |
| meditation may require audible instruction, and feeling | | | | student continues to experience Yoga through steady |
| them is important. If you require silence to study, are | | | | practice. If you use your hands to express yourself, |
| good at written language, dream in colors, understand | | | | and easily develop athletic skills - kinesthetic learning is |
| maps easily, and close your eyes to remember, or | | | | likely to be one of your strengths. |
| visualize, the past - visual learning is one of your strong | | | | Students, and teachers of Yoga, can benefit by |
| points. | | | | understanding the differences in each of these three |
| The Auditory Yoga Student: Learning by sound is his | | | | learning traits. When teaching groups of people, |
| or her strength. This student responds well to a Yoga | | | | instructors should address the senses of sight, sound, |
| teacher's cues, while some students in class are | | | | and touch, throughout the class. |