Developing your own personal teaching style. By Vidya Heisel

Finding your inner voice

L

et’s face it, ‘there is nothing new under the sun’, so we

are unlikely to be completely unique and different in our

teaching style - and nor do we need to be. What we do

need to be is authentically ourselves and not trying to

live up to an idea or an ideal. Sometimes yoga teachers

adopt sing-songy and hypnotic voices, which do not allow their

personalities to shine through.

My recommendation for newer teachers is to develop a good

teaching style based on what you personally like about your

favourite teachers. Really pay attention to what it is you like about

them and try to imitate that. In the end, everything we teach will

likely be a winning combination of all of our best teachers. Pick up

clear and precise cuing from other good instructors.

Another way of finding your own words is simply to instruct

yourself out loud, whilst doing self-practice. Always try to say

simply and directly what you are doing physically and then try

to refine your language even more. Sometimes this takes a little

contemplation.

Pay a lot of attention when doing a home practice yourself.

Notice what small adjustments in your own body make a difference,

especially when you are getting into a more challenging pose. Turn

these small movements or tips into cues. Your own practice can go

a long way towards informing your teaching style.

Metaphors can be useful, but only when they make sense to

you and you feel comfortable using them. For example, a couple

of metaphors I like to use: ‘allowing your head to hang heavy, like

a ripe fruit’ or ‘turning all of your attention inwards, just like a

tortoise drawing back into its shell’.

Having a sense of humour whilst teaching goes a long way to

getting the students to relax and enjoy the class. This doesn’t

involve telling jokes or being too laid back but just occasionally

saying something that puts a smile on your students’ faces. This

again needs to come really naturally and will happen when you are

relaxed and at ease whilst teaching.

Smiling occasionally also can light up the class, so don’t be

afraid to make eye contact with a student and to smile.

Use your normal voice but speak a little slower and a little

louder. Above all, relax and be yourself, and express your own

enthusiasm for the practice!

Vidya Heisel is the founder of Frog Lotus Yoga International

teacher training (froglotusyogainternational.com)