Once you have become a certified yoga instructor, there are a number of ingredients involved in your class presentation and future growth. Any person, who teaches any subject, must have good diplomatic skills. The leap from student to teacher is a large one, and it comes with newfound responsibilities.

You must make it a point to learn your student's names and mentally retain them. You will want to greet each student by name with a smile. You must be prompt for class, happy, calm, helpful, encouraging, respectful, positive, and courteous, at all times - even when you have your own problems.

The strongest positive point, in arriving to class 15 minutes early, is "environmental concerns." If we show up to class late, the thermostat is not set right, water is on the floor, the power is out in the room, or the fan does not work. The result is, your Yoga class will not start on time, and your energy is not focused on the class.

You should be mentally prepared, well groomed, have music with you (if you use it), and be wearing the proper clothing to teach a yoga class. You should have a class lesson plan in your mind. Lesson plan notes seem to take away your student's confidence in you. Students should have a perception of confidence in you and your teaching method.

You should respond to questions. One student may ask a question, which is on other student's minds. At the same time, it is important to avoid digressing. So, stick to the point, avoid tangents, and get back to your lesson plan, after you have politely answered a question. At the same time, be prepared to elaborate with your students after, or before, your yoga classes.

You may also want to share a small example of Yogic philosophy, or a quote, applied to daily life, at some point during your class. I usually cover something related to daily life at the end of class, after meditation.

As much as the importance of starting on time has been mentioned, it is also important to end the class at the scheduled time. Some yoga teachers start late and end late. Others want to add one more sequence or have too much material on their lesson plan. Show respect to your students.

They have lives and obligations outside of your Yoga class. If you want to reduce stress in their lives, end your class at the scheduled time. The students who want to know more about yoga will "hang around" after class.

Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications