Insights from Yoga Students: What They Want Instructors to Know
For many people, yoga is an intimate journey. Every student comes to the mat with different experiences, different lives and environmentsâ which always include expectations However, perhaps even more importantly is the need for instructors to support and recognize those they practice under so that classes may benefit from their important perspectives as well. Some things yoga students wish their teachers knew.
1. Embrace Your Uniqueness
No two students are alike and with differing degrees of flexibility, strength, goals etc. Others are wanting a fitness challenge or just needing to relax and find the stress relief. Trying to make a single plan work for every problem is often setting ourself up for failure and furthermore frustration or demotivation. So it is always appreciated when the instructors take out time to acknowledge needs of their students and implement actions accordingly.
2. Connection Beyond the Mat
Nothing beats the relationship beyond just a physical practice. It is widely known that yoga allows you to practice community and connection with other students. Better relationships are forged when instructors promote interactions between students, make everyone feel welcome and address individuals by name. It not only develops your group dynamics but it also brings interested students back to the next class.
3. Communicate Clearly
Communication in a yoga class is important. Instructors: students love it when classes are clear and poses as well with the benefits of them and modifications based on skill level. And giving simple cues that make things click into place can do wonders for your practice. In addition, students need to know that they can ask questions and articulate when something is bothering them or making them feel uncomfortable.
4. Encouraging Mindfulness
There is such a mental aspect to yoga as well. Many students carry stress and the outside world with them onto their mat. Teaching mindfulness practices (e.g., mindful breathing, meditation and presence) can encourage students to cultivate their practice as well as solace. You must teach students to become inwardly awakened instead of focused on outward comparison or competition.
5. Acknowledging Progress
Yoga teaches us to grow and develop ourselves physically as well mentally each day. Students appreciate teachers who recognise how far they have come, even if it is very small. It helps us celebrate our wins—be it nailing a specific pose or just making time to roll out the mat, and gets us motivated toward more practice. Students need some positive reinforcement to keep them feeling motivated and on their way towards wellness.
6. Safety is Paramount
Safety in the practice of yoga should always be maintained in a physical way. On the other side of things, students crave for their teachers to be diligent about alignment and offer modifications where necessary when poses might feel a little intense or unpleasant. This can help students avoid injury, and create a safer space for practicing when they have to get themselves out of things.
7. Personal Experiences Matter
Instructors, it can be beneficial for your students when you tell them about what has happened to you on the mat and how difficult this path is. It builds rapport and trust. If I can demonstrate that this (the growing pains) will happen over time then it further proves to my students the practice is a sustainable one and ultimately growth takes place every single day.
Conclusion
It can help create a nurturing environment in the studio where yoga students feel understood. Instructors must respect individuality, foster connection through community, teach self-awareness in their movement practices and advocacy for a safer society enabled of action. In the end, listening to and learning from their students enables better guidance on this path of yoga; resulting into better attention & improvement.