Living My Yoga - Day 3 of Training

What makes a great yoga teacher?

For me, a good yoga teacher is someone that leaves a lasting impression, an impression that drives one to want to learn more and deepen one's practice. A great yoga teacher takes it one step further to introduce more challenging yoga concepts; meditation, breathing techniques, taking postures to one's edge - and doing all of this with a compassionate aura.



Source: anmolmehta.com


I have been practicing yoga for 5 years and have had many teachers, but there are 2 that are most memorable.

My first good yoga teacher worked at a gym, and I completely looked forward to every Monday morning at 7am. She had great sequencing that really awakened and stretched the body after a long weekend, preparing us for a week of work. She also introduced some more complex poses each class giving us a glimpse that there was something more challenging available. She did this with a compassionate voice, and she did a good job teaching to the average person in the class. Even though I truly loved her class and was very disappointed if I overslept - I longed for something more. She never adjusted us in poses, she taught the class from the front of the room by performing the poses herself. For some of you this may not be considered a good yoga teacher - but for me, she was the first teacher that ignited an interest in yoga, so much so I started to explore different yoga studios and styles.

I believe I was fortunate to have one truly great yoga teacher. Until her classes I had not heard Sanskrit chanting, she introduced the concepts of the eight limbs of yoga, she had us chant the names of the eight limbs in her class until we all had them memorized, she refused to believe someone could not do headstand and other poses, for example - she took the time in each class to get each person in their version of a complex pose (sometimes causing the rest of us to stand in a very strenuous pose for a long time...but we were the beginner once too, so we understood), she introduced all of the various breathing techniques, provided recommended reading lists, had amazing assists, stayed after each class to talk to her students in an energetic and fun style...the list really could go on. I strive to one day exhibit a glimpse of what she provided to me in my teaching style.

In am so grateful that in day 3 of Teacher Training we went through 17 poses. Learning the poses, modifications, variations and assist. I am also very grateful to my class for allowing me to take pictures of the poses, assists, etc to share with the group. It will truly be a helpful tool.

Utkatasana

Ardha Utkatasana

Warrior 1

Warrior 2

High Crescent Lunge

Revolved Side Angle

Revolved Half Moon

Revolved Triangle

Humble Warrior

Parsvottanasana – Pyramid

Triangle Pose

Wide Leg Forward Fold

Goddess

Reverse Warrior

Dancing Warrior

Extended Side Angle

Half Moon

Some great tips from the day:

As a new teacher:

• Lose the monotone voice - find your real voice to teach with
• Lose the repetitive words; um, ok, and then, etc.
• If getting flushed or overheated, go to the back of the room and go into goddess for a few breaths
• Lift toes helps you stay present and aware
• Help students find stillness in breath and the pose - pause at the top of an inhale and the bottom of an exhale

And now...I'm off to day 4 of training! Have a great Sunday!