Things you like about your teacher
yoginimary
Posts: 6,789 Member
Right now I'm a 200 hour registered yoga teacher (usually shown like 200 RYT). I'm going back to yoga school to become a 500 RYT. For those that are curious, there are the following levels in the US: 200 RYT, 200 E-RYT, 500 RYT, and 500 E-RYT - more info at Yoga Alliance: http://yogaalliance.org//
Anyway, I was thinking about what I like in a teacher. I'll ask about what people dislike later.
Things I like:
1. I like personal attention. I want to know if my foot is out of place. I want to be called by name or at least have the teacher come by and tell me to move my foot.
2. I like to learn new ways of doing things. Whether it's a new way to get into a pose or a variation on a pose that gives a different feeling.
3. I like someone who can make me laugh. Though I realize not all teachers have this skill.
4. Related to #2, I like new ways of using props
5. I like to know "why" we do something. Why do we internally rotate the legs when we go up into backbends.
I'm sure I could think of more, but what do you like?
Anyway, I was thinking about what I like in a teacher. I'll ask about what people dislike later.
Things I like:
1. I like personal attention. I want to know if my foot is out of place. I want to be called by name or at least have the teacher come by and tell me to move my foot.
2. I like to learn new ways of doing things. Whether it's a new way to get into a pose or a variation on a pose that gives a different feeling.
3. I like someone who can make me laugh. Though I realize not all teachers have this skill.
4. Related to #2, I like new ways of using props
5. I like to know "why" we do something. Why do we internally rotate the legs when we go up into backbends.
I'm sure I could think of more, but what do you like?
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Replies
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1. I like a teacher who wanders around the class, correcting and praising good work quietly and encouraging effort, rather than directing from the front.
2. I like a teacher who has a life outside the yoga class and can relate things that have happened in the week before class starts.
3. I like a teacher who can help me to believe I can actually handstand when everything inside me is saying I can't!
4. More than anything I like a teacher who obviously practises the asanas and also the ethics of a life of yoga.
5. I like my teacher because he brings in bars of really strange chocolate sometimes - like chilli and lime - and even "bacon bits", though no-one liked that one!0 -
I haven't had a teacher for a long time, but from what I remember....
Personal attention and correction / encouragement. I started and quit a class recently as it was mostly led from the front, and with money tight, I kept feeling it was no different from using a DVD.
Warmth and someone knowing my name.
Knowing in advance there's going to be lots of chanting. Not so keen and would have like forewarning.
Being shown adaptations and prop use so you always feel you are moving toward an asana, and challenging yourself.
Acknowledgement of teacher limitations - makes me feel better about my creaky bits!
My partner used to go to Tai Chi and they shared small cups of tea at the end - in contrast we had to rush out with lights on full to make room for Zumba. A bit of a mood breaker that one! But not the teacher's fault.0 -
I like that she gives modifications for a lot of moves. She will also work things into her class if you ask. Like last week we had a woman who was struggling with hip problems so she offered a few poses for the hips.0
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I agree with a lot of the things mentioned above. I've had mostly good teachers and although I now seem to choose classes based on style and challenge, I do have my favourites:)
Definitely, I appreciate teachers who pay attention to what the students are actually doing -- who walk around giving adjustments when necessary, modifications and encouragement. Mixing things up and challenging me (even with help) is a great plus too. It's hard to say though, what exactly makes a great yoga teacher and you certainly can't please everybody but I think if one is passionate about what they do, embraces their practice and philosophy and loves to teach others to better themselves then it really shows, both in and outside of class. They are my favourites. I've had a few rare occasions where the teacher just sat up front giving instructions, chatting up his regulars, was obviously showing off or was just plain flaky (even outside of class) and that really turned me off. It sounds like I'm nitpicking with that last one but if I have a choice, I prefer to spend it with someone I can align my practice with and not get annoyed by their attitude...! (but that goes for life too lol)0 -
4. More than anything I like a teacher who obviously practises the asanas and also the ethics of a life of yoga.
I guess that what I'm trying to say!
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I have two main teachers, depending on the class I'm available for time-wise. I agree with everything that's been said already but I'll add:
*One teacher does a reading, either before class or just entering savasana, and it's just a short poem or excerpt that is just really positive and uplifting. She has a lovely voice, and I really appreciate those small moments.
*Adjustments and massages... Yes I loooooooove the massage at my temples, cranium, feet, etc. - sometimes she'll do little shoulder rubs. I never want her to stop and even though they last only a few seconds it's just heavenly. And I really want that lotion she uses.
*Remarking on when I've improved upon a pose. Just this week she said "You are really getting better at that" and it is nice to have confirmation of these things we may suspect.
*I love that we don't take ourselves too seriously in our classes - the teacher can joke around and bobble in a pose and it makes us laugh and giggle a bit. I find humor in class to be just as positive as anything else.
*I love my teachers' choice in music. It tends toward folk music, or even this week's class had instrumental Christmas music which was different, but nice.
*My teacher always uses my full name, instead of the more typical shortened version that my friends and family use. I don't know why but I really like that.0 -
That's funny you mention those things, TGKvr, there are things on your list I dislike: playing music and touch during savasana. It's good to know what everyone likes though.0
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Do you dislike music throughout the entire class or just savasana?
One other thing I really like is in the beginning of each class, she asks us all what we want to work on and if there are any particular areas / poses on which we'd like to focus. It makes me feel like our opinions and wishes are valuable, and she's not just a teacher with a pre-set plan but willing to accommodate and adjust per our input.0 -
*I like being called by name in class, either praise (your down dog is really improved!) or adjustment (walk your feet in a bit)
*My teacher has a bunch of different training and if its a small class he usually does some stretching on us or some thai yoga massage moves
*Massage at the start of Savasana
*being pushed to try a pose you aren't sure you can do
*Being encouraged to use props and being shown new ways to use them
Mostly I love practicing and I love having a teacher that wants to help deepen my practice and not just give me a good workout. I usually get both!0 -
I am a real yoga beginner. The adolescent mental health facility where I work started to offer a twice a week yoga class for the girls who live there. I went to be an additional staff person and to role model the trials and tribulations of a person who had never taken a yoga class. I have loved it.
Our yoga instructor was a social worker before stopping her practice to become a yoga instructor. Because of the setting and the traumatized nature of the kids who come to yoga, she spends a good deal of time having us think about difficult times where we found inner strength as we are discovering strength we didn't know we had in the poses. So there is a very strong mental health/inner strength aspect. I love it! I benefit from it just as much as the girls.
I attended a yoga class in my town and the yoga instructor was a physical therapist by training. There was more focus on the physical aspects of the practice. I really prefer the more mental health approach. But I understand that each instructor brings her or his personal strengths to their teaching.
I adore the end of the session, during savasana, when our instructor gently touches our shoulders and our foreheads. She always goes to the residents first but I find myself thinking, "Oo..oo, don't forget me!" Our instructor is very respectful of anyone who does not want touch. While we are in savasana, she asks anyone who prefers to not have touch to place their hand on their belly for just a minute and then she skips them.0 -
Do you dislike music throughout the entire class or just savasana?
One other thing I really like is in the beginning of each class, she asks us all what we want to work on and if there are any particular areas / poses on which we'd like to focus. It makes me feel like our opinions and wishes are valuable, and she's not just a teacher with a pre-set plan but willing to accommodate and adjust per our input.
I don't like music at all, but I know I'm in the minority here.
I ask my students to tell me what they want to work on when class is over. I can then develop a plan. Not too many people take me up on this though. In Iyengar yoga, we are encouraged to come with a plan, but modify it for the class. We are also asked to do the sequence ourselves before teaching it. I have asked before class and receive a half dozen suggestions. It's a fun way to teach as well.
So funny that everyone has different preferences: chant, no chant, etc0
