What makes a yoga class or yoga teacher go from good to great? Sometimes a class may have a great technical instructor but is dull, or the class could be fun but the teacher a bit lacking in expertise. So what makes the difference?
While there is no standard for what makes a great yoga teacher, there are some qualities you might want to look out for
Ability to Connect
No matter the size of the yoga class, a great yoga teacher should make everyone feel comfortable and have an impact on each person so that everyone feels like they belong. Every great yoga teacher will touch the heart of their students in some way.
Presence
Any successful yoga teacher must command the attention of the students. Yoga students should want to watch every move the teacher makes! It’s an indescribable quality, like a natural confidence. As the yoga teacher works the room, a subtle touch, a shout-out, or even a glance can be enough to uplift the students.
Energy and Personality
This can vary greatly between yoga teachers. Some warm your heart with the way they teach, while others bring a light heartedness and sense of humor. Ideally you want your energy to be focused, calm, centered, and enthusiastic.
Preparation
A great yoga teacher will have planned each yoga class in advance. Knowing what they are going to do gives purpose and direction. This clarity results in a calm approach and instils confidence in their students.
Personalisation
The meaning here changes depending on who you ask. Some say it means a yoga teacher should have a certain teaching style, a signature look or phrase, or simply the ability to cater to both beginners and advanced students at the same time.
Flexibility
Flexibility is important not just for your body. Great certified yoga instructors adjust their teaching based on their audience. They have a plan, but that plan can be changed to cater to their audience. There is a certain intuition required, to listen and care for your students even if they are not directly giving you feedback.
Love of Yoga
You can always spot the teacher who loves what they do. There are some yoga teachers who feel burned out, and those that will never know the feeling. Yoga aims to improve the mind, body, and spirit. When the yoga teacher loves what they do, that feeling is transferred into the students as well.
Attention to Detail
Sometimes simple adjustments are needed, and sometimes bad habits need to be kicked to the side and re-learned entirely. A great yoga teacher will watch their students, making sure no one is going to get injured and that everything is executed properly. A certified yoga instructor who focuses more on their students will have happier students.
Teaching
The person must want to teach, want to improve, and want to inspire! While none of us want to hear a lecture, it’s great when a yoga teacher really knows their stuff. A simple explanation of the medical benefits of postures or variations for people with injuries or physical limitations can go a long way in demonstrating knowledge and gaining credibility.
Finding a good yoga teacher in Camden, London
Catherine Annis has over 35 years yoga experience and is well known for her imaginative and practical approach to yoga. She is a member of triyoga’s (London’s leading yoga centre) teacher training faculty and is well respected in the yoga community.
She holds weekly yoga classes at triyoga in their Camden yoga studios. In addition, Catherine also runs themed yoga workshops, immersion courses, yoga retreats and yoga holidays throughout the year. She collaborates with the British Wheel of Yoga, The Pilates Foundation and is regularly asked to be a guest teacher at various venues, functions and conferences around the world.
If you would like to experience one of Catherine’s yoga classes at triyoga Camden she’d be delighted to see you there:
Yoga Classes @ triyoga, Camden
Day & Time: Every MONDAY …. 19.30-21.00 pm
Day & Time: Every THURSDAY …. 12.45-14.00 pm & 19.30-21.00 pm
Venue: triyoga, 57 Jamestown Road, Camden, London, NW1
Getting there: click here
Book on-line now: click here
For details about Catherine’s complete weekly yoga timetable,
please click here.
