Best of Both Worlds
There are two kinds of yoga teachers in the world: Those who focus on every little detail to help you gain control and awareness of your body, and those who invite you to rely on your breath and intuition to create a deeper sense of self.
Both types of teachers have molded and shaped my yoga practice. The first, more detail-oriented, approach has transformed the way I hold myself and has brought my poses closer to perfection. The latter has honed my understanding of things beyond the body—acceptance, spirituality, etc. I have a deep appreciation for both styles, and when people ask me to recommend a class I advocate a healthy dose of both.
Unfortunately, I've noticed that when teachers try to do both at once, it doesn't work so well. When you stop a vinyasa every few seconds to draw attention to alignment, you ruin the students' concentration on their breath. It's just too much to think about.
I want my students to taste both, but I find it impossible to incorporate both styles into my short, hour-long classes. So I've been doing one or the other. Sometimes I teach a class based on Sun Salutations—emphasizing breath and intuition. Almost as often, I teach a sequence that emphasizes one specific motion (the subtle tuck of the tail bone, or the rise of the chest). But I can't help but wonder if I'm short-changing my students by not diving completely into one style. Is it good to introduce beginners to a little bit of everything, or should I invite them to get familiar with one specific way of practicing?
Comments
I like when teachers ask the class what they'd like. At first it took me by surprise as a student and I wondered, "Wait a minute. Aren't you the teacher?" But then I realized it was a way for us all to take ownership and responsibility for the class. Maybe your students can tell you what they like once they realize they have a say.
Posted by: Melissa | August 3, 2007 07:22 PM
Hi erica! My name's Donatella, iam 24 years old and i live in italy.I moved here about 3 years ago, i used to live/work and study in NYC.Yoga found me at the age of 18 and changed me forever.Having changed several cities in italy for various reasons, i must admit that my yoga practice hasnt been as present as i hoped it would be. After my many quests to find a yoga teacher/studio, i think i finally found a place i can truly let my practice flourish.Anyhow i just wanted to say that i admire that at your young age you are where you are. Who knows maybe someday i might leap into that direction and become a yoga teacher myself.Warm regards to all!!
Posted by: Donatella | August 5, 2007 04:01 PM
As a total new person attempting yoga for the first time at age 50, I think that there needs to be a separate class for people like me to get them up to par with everyone else. I don't have a clue what anything is about and it is disheartening to walk into a class where the teacher is talking and moving thinking you know what you are doing...
Was I supposed to concentrating on my breath? I can't even figure out what I am supposed to be doing.
I have only had a 3 different teachers and one in particular seemed clueless about the pace of the class and was teaching more for herself than the class.
As a total beginner I need both...
Posted by: Julie | August 9, 2007 05:59 AM
I have an Iyengar teacher who really works with us on a few poses of anatomical focus and then we put them together in a vinyasa flow combining more familiar poses. These happen to be some of my favorite classes as I also love both styles of yoga.
Posted by: Ara | August 22, 2007 04:16 AM
Hello, just love your blog here. I am preparing to become a teacher myself and it's most enlightening.
There is one studio in town that has a 4 week (one day a week) intensive for new people, which builds a foundation- detail oriented, more teacher/student interaction. It's highly suggested that everyone take it to start with new to yoga or not. Next one can move on to the everyday drop in classes, which are more intuitive in nature. I thought it a nice solution, and they suggested, not demanded, which is a nice tao like touch. Its a popular series.
Posted by: Alicia Kai | August 22, 2007 05:38 PM