For many yoga teachers, running classes or online sessions is not just about teaching clients about technique or making workouts technically perfect. Being a yoga teacher is also about making a positive difference to the people who attend workshops or tune in virtually. If you want to be more than a yoga teacher for your clients, here are some tips to help you to be as supportive as possible. 

Encourage Communication

Communication can make a huge difference in how people feel, especially if they’re going through a tough time, or they’re facing challenges in their lives. Communicating is about talking and listening. If you find that some of your clients want to talk after class, or perhaps they seem as though they may be quieter than usual or withdrawn, try to ensure that they know that you are there to listen if they want to start a conversation. You don’t have to spend hours talking, but a simple question like ‘how are you doing?’ can make a difference. Sometimes, people would rather talk to somebody they don’t know well rather than a close friend or a relative because they don’t want to be a burden or they’re embarrassed. If you are happy to listen, and you want to take that role on, providing a safe, inclusive environment can help people to feel comfortable and relaxed. 

Highlight the Health Benefits of Yoga

Yoga can mean different things to different people. Some people may take up yoga because they want to enjoy the physical benefits while others may be looking for ways to relax. As a teacher, it’s important to highlight all the benefits of doing yoga and encourage your clients to invest time and effort so that they can reap the rewards. Working out and learning exercises and poses is helpful for the body and mind. Being clear about how yoga benefits health and wellbeing can help people to learn more about the practice and the impact it could have on them moving forward. 

Talk about other ways to promote and protect health and wellbeing

One of the main benefits of yoga is its capacity to enhance mental and physical health and wellbeing, but it is not a miracle cure. As a yoga teacher, you may find it beneficial to talk to your clients about other steps they can take or routes they can follow to optimize their wellbeing and prevent or resolve health issues. Yoga is often recommended for stress and anxiety, for example, and it can also help those who are trying to battle addiction or find ways to ease symptoms of depression or cope with chronic physical pain. You could consider talking to clients about help and support options they could investigate like programs run by facilities like Sunshine Behavioral Health, provide advice about sleep, exercise or diet, or encourage them to get in touch with their doctor or seek advice from a counselor or therapist. 

Make the most of every session

The best yoga teachers should want their clients to get the best out of every session. If you feel like you’ve done the best you can, you will feel great and so will your clients. Plan ahead, look for inspiration from practices, teachers, or sessions you are interested in or follow, and ask your clients for ideas or suggestions based on classes they have attended in the past. 

Being a yoga teacher is about more than encouraging people to adopt the perfect technique. Take these tips on board to be a supportive instructor.