What Should a Hatha Yoga Teacher Know? - Part 4

Yogic Methodology: When thinking about Yogicbetter.
Methodology, there are two kinds that come to mind.When a Yoga student continues to make Hatha
One is the application of Yoga techniques to daily life,Yoga classes a part of his or her life for years - the
and the other is Yoga teaching methodology.true value of good health will be felt and seen. This
Competent Yoga teachers should thoroughly knowsame student will most likely practice Karma Yoga,
both.Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Raja Yoga or other forms
When considering the application of Hatha Yogaof Yoga "down the road." The benefits of Yoga, in
techniques to daily life, we know that Yoga willany form, will cause a student to go deeper into his
change a student's health for the best and improveor her personal Yoga practice.
his or her lifestyle, but it must be gradual. The mind,Yoga teaching methodology is how a teacher
body, and spirit will not change much in a month, butreaches out to the audience - through the use of
a year of regular Hatha Yoga practice will yield someteaching, communication, or observation methods.
significant health changes.Student corrections, in regard to Yoga techniques,
How many Yoga students want an instant lifeshould be straight to the point; but every Yoga
change? Too many - and this is why we should notteacher should take care to be tactful in the process.
make unrealistic promises. It is up to the YogaYoga students come to you for guidance, so keep
student to take action, come to classes regularly, andyour ego "in check." A few "rogue" Yoga teachers,
practice what you have taught in your Hatha Yogawho are gruff and condescending, can ruin any
classes. It is up to the Hatha Yoga teacher to fill thestudent's desire to continue practicing Yoga.
student's mind with knowledge and encouragement.What are the qualities of a good Yoga teacher?
If it took decades of neglect for a new student toThere are many, but being able to spot students in
achieve poor health, how can he or she expect aneed, and still show compassion, is very important.
little bit of Hatha Yoga practice to perform miracles?Being able to teach any student is another strong
Every aspect of a student's health will be changedtrait. The realization that each Yoga student is
for the better by regular Yoga practice; but this is anuniquely different from each other, and cannot be
"on demand" world, where some people are willing to"cloned," is a milestone in teaching.
risk the side-effects of a pill rather than take positiveDemonstrating and correcting Yoga techniques is only
action toward better health.part of the job when teaching Yoga classes. A
The natural effects of regular exercise, propersuccessful Yoga teacher must communicate with all
breathing, better posture, improved diet, andstudents throughout the class, and keep the passion
self-discipline will result in a Yoga student who is lessfor Yoga going.
stressed, has fewer ailments, lives longer, and sleeps