Helpful Tips For Designing A Yoga Lesson Plan

Teaching yoga is a great way to earn some extra money while staying in shape and helping others. There are a number of things to consider when designing a yoga lesson plan. The instructor should have a well organized class that flows naturally and fills the lesson time. A well structured lesson will keep students happy and ensure continuing attendance.

The first big decision is what type of yoga class it will be. There are many styles of yoga to choose from or several styles can be blended. The class may also be geared towards a particular type of student such as for prenatal yoga or gentle yoga for seniors. It is also important to think about how the style will fit with the instructor's personality. A slow-paced gentle yoga class should be taught in a calm manner, while a more energetic instructor is needed for a high intensity power yoga class.

The style of yoga will help with choosing the types of poses and movements. Books and websites can provide a lot of ideas for how to explain poses and outline some common combinations of poses, such as the sun salutation series. It is common to start a class with breathing exercises. These exercises can be done in a seated, lying, or standing position. This helps students get into the right frame of mind to begin their practice. The number of poses and their difficulty level should be determined by the type of students. A class geared towards beginners will have a slower pace and each pose or sequence will need to be explained in detail. A class for more advanced students will be able to move through poses more quickly and with less explanation. For all levels of students, it can help to have a series of poses that build towards a more challenging pose. This will help students become more accomplished in their practice and helps to guide the planning of classes. The instructor can choose one pose to be the goal of the class and then plan the rest of the lesson to help prepare the students physically and mentally for that pose. It is also helpful to offer modifications that can either make the pose easier or more challenging. Adding these options throughout the class will keep students from feeling discouraged if they find the class too challenging or bored if they are more advanced. The last portion of the class should always be reserved for meditation, which can be guided by the instructor or silent time for relaxation.

A final consideration in planning is the mood of the class. The choice of music is very important in establishing the right ambiance. The music should be planned so it fits with the class as a whole, as well as the individual parts. Calming and unobtrusive music should be chosen for breathing exercises and meditation. If portions of the class involve high intensity movements, more upbeat music can help motivate students. Lighting can also be used to set a mood. Candles can add to the calming atmosphere and the lights are often turned out during periods of meditation. Careful lesson planning for yoga will help to guarantee a smooth class that both the student and the instructor can enjoy.

Faye Martins, is a Yoga teacher and a graduate of the Yoga teacher training program at: Aura Wellness Center in, Attleboro, MA. To receive Free Yoga videos, Podcasts, e-Books, reports, and articles about Yoga, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/