Yoga is a practice of self-enquiry and self-study. In order to dive deep, our students need a safe space – in fact, a sacred space. They need to feel emotionally secure in our presence as well as physically safe so they can shed their own protective layers and embrace their vulnerability. For some students, nurturing hands-on assists will help facilitate that experience. For others, touch will be an unwelcome intrusion. This is why it’s so important to gain consent for yoga adjustments. Human touch is a powerful thing. At its best, a simple touch can inspire a sense of warmth and wellbeing. Bu ..read more

When we stand in front of a class we’re teaching people, not poses. People with unique bodies; varied energy levels and life experiences; and who have different needs and various reasons for coming to class. We need to provide some options and recognise that our job as a yoga teacher isn’t to tell these individuals what to do; it’s to support them to make intelligent, mindful choices. Using invitational language in yoga is a great way to empower students to make their own decisions. What is Invitational Language? Invitational language invites our students reflect and follow the path that feel ..read more

Sequencing is complex and highly subjective. It’s often been said (by me, among others) that there aren’t any definite rules in sequencing yoga classes. And that there are no clear rights and wrongs, just different intentions and purposes. I’ve realised recently that I was wrong. I take it back. There is one rule that all yoga teachers should follow when sequencing yoga classes, regardless of their lineage and their desired outcome for the class. What is this one magic rule? It’s so simple and so obvious, and yet it’s not always followed. Here it is: Sequence for your students, not yourself. Y ..read more