How to Select the Right Yoga Teacher?
Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or a beginner, finding a new yoga teacher is not easy. However, finding a yoga teacher is a part of the yoga journey. To select a new yoga teacher, doing some research may prove useful. Following are the essential things one must know about a yoga teacher.
Primary Teaching Style
The basic level of yoga styles can by taught by any experienced practitioner. However, with years of practice, the yoga teachers gain mastery over a particular style of yoga. Compared to other classes, the instructor tends to be more efficient while taking the class of their mastered style of yoga. If a student and teacher prefer the same style of yoga then the student is immensely benefited.
Special Cases
Yoga is pursued by people out of curiosity, to achieve fitness, for combating weight issues or healing an injury. It is important to know if or not the teacher has experience in handling your specific concerns. Was he trained for this task. This is for two reasons: teachers who are not into therapeutic yoga or have not undergone any specific training may not be able to teach yoga correctly to students with specific needs. Secondly, many yoga teachers are unwilling to take above listed cases.
Adjusting Poses in Class
Sometimes a person is unable to perform a posture and may need some external help. However, each teacher as their own style of teaching. Some choose to help while others prefer to show how it's done and let the students get the drift themselves. Requirement of external help is the choice of seeker and they must be clear about it. The same must be clarified with the instructor as well. A teacher and student must have the same level of understanding to get the maximum out of the class.
A Typical Day in the Classroom
Yoga classes across studios, schools, retreats are all different. Different combinations of exercises, breathing, chanting and meditation are used in a class. It is entirely up to the instructor how they undertake their class. It is important to match personal choice of lessons with that given by the teacher. Some are more into meditation; some prefer asanas while some prefer chanting and breathing.
Demo Class
Attending demo class gives you the taste of what to expect from the teacher and whether they are right for you or not. Many teachers don't advertise a sample class but are willing to give one if asked. However, if demo class is unavailable then you can talk with other students of the class and can check online videos of the class to understand the teaching methods.
Fees
Fee proves as the deciding factor most of the times. With everything else being same, the fee nails the deal. For that some yoga students even offer attractive discount packages regularly. It is important to find the right teacher with affordable fees.
Doing some research in advance is beneficial. A person is able to prepare himself for the expected. It also breaks the ice between the teacher and student. In addition, it helps in saving time and money spent on changing instructors before settling on one.
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