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| Image: www.discoveryyoga.com |
1. When your teacher says it’s OK to take care of yourself–rest in Child’s Pose, modify a difficult pose to make it better suit your body’s needs for the day, etc.–she actually means it!
2. While it might be somewhat rude to come into class a few minutes late, it’s preferable to not coming at all. You have to practice to get the benefits of yoga and your teacher knows sometimes the traffic doesn’t cooperate.
3. It’s the ultimate compliment to your teacher when you have an emotional break-through and shed a tear during class. It’s OK! It means you released some emotion you were holding in your body!
4. Your teacher is probably not a mind reader. If he does something that makes you feel bad–whether it’s an adjustment that pushes you too far or a comment that embarrasses you in front of the class–tell him! He really wants to give you the best experience possible!
5. You know how the perfect yoga class for your mood and energy level makes your entire day? Hearing that the class she led made her students day better will make your yoga teacher’s day better. Just as you like to hear positive feedback when your poses are improving, your teacher would probably like to hear feedback about her teaching. (BTW, showing up to class regularly is an excellent way to give this feedback!)
Note: Many of the items on this list came from reader suggestions from an earlier post! For more read, 5 Things Your Yoga Teacher Wants You to Know.
The gist: teachers are humans too, show them appreciation, support, and above all, listen to them! Love it 🙂
P.S. The new blog layout is swank.
Addition to #4. If you know you have to leave class early, tell the teacher before class begins so she doesn't wonder why you left. I teach on Sunday and a couple of students leave to go to church, but before they told me that, I was always concerned they were sick or found the class to difficult, etc. (P.S.: You don't have to tell why, just that you have to leave early.)
In response to #3. I'm so glad I came across your blog and read this because during my practice today I had a total meltdown and began to cry. In fact, there are two particular poses I have not been able to do because they are so emotionally uncomfortable for me. They release a lot of emotion and energy. But now I think I will give them a try. Baby steps…
i have to disagree with #2, and think it sounds a little selfish. your teacher isn't the only one to take into consideration here–arriving to class more than a minute or two late is disruptive and disrespectful to potentially many students in the class.