Trudy Vains reports on how you can find the right yoga teacher to suit your needs.
Yoga is such an amazing form of breathing, stretching and exercising, and it’s quite well known, so you will find plenty of yoga teachers and studios in your area. Yoga is for everyone, because everyone can stretch in some way and we all have body aches and pains that need to be taken into account when we start yoga.
Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned yogi, we are all looking for something one way or another. Whether that be stretching, community, spirituality, or simply stepping outside of your comfort zone, you need to think about finding a teacher who you resonate with. There is nothing more awkward than turning up to an advanced class when you are a beginner (speaking from experience here). But how do we find the right one?
Here is my easy go-to guide on finding the right teacher for you.
1.
Find out who is in your local area, google check Yoga Australia, it allows you to find teachers in all areas/styles of yoga and locations. Enter your postcode, click on the drop-down for class styles and anything else you are after, and you will end up with a list of yoga teachers.
2.
Call or email some of the teachers and ask if you can watch a class or trial a class to see if they are a good fit for you. Make sure you offer to pay for the class even if you are only observing.
3.
Turn up prepared with a yoga mat, and make yourself comfortable and ready to participate if trialling the class, or bring a chair if observing.
4.
What are your intentions for practising yoga? Do you want to learn how to stretch, have a sense of community, learn to breathe better, or something else?
5.
Turn up and turn up often. Yoga is not a one-hit-wonder, you need to bring it into your daily life and weekly rituals.
6.
Things to consider are –
The amount of people – is there enough space, or too crowded?
The smell – is there incense burning or a scented spray? Do you have allergies to these?
The teacher’s voice – is it ok for you?
Are the instructions clear?
Do you feel comfortable?
Is the pace of movement right for you?
There are so many things to consider about yoga, that a lot of people don’t think about, and this is why some only turn up for one class and never return.
An example for scenario purposes;
If I was to look for a teacher for myself, the main things I would look for are –
Beginner – intermediate Hatha Yoga.
Slow movement.
No incense.
Bathroom close by and inside the same building (rather than walking outside somewhere).
Teacher has very good modification cues.
Class is one-hour duration.
Air conditioning.
Soft music preferred for Savasana.
Why did I choose these?
My body has been through a lot, my lower spine is fused and I can do certain movements but not all.
I do not wish to attend an advanced class, it’s just not my thing, so beginner-intermediate is great.
I like slower movement than high and fast-paced.
I don’t like all incense or sprays.
Bathroom inside – well every time Savasana starts I need to pee, and walking outside the building makes me feel unsafe (especially at night).
One hour duration is my go-to, I know my body is fine with this length of time.
Modification instructions are a must, for my body movement,
Airconditioning – is GREAT for menopause (just saying).
Soft music is my favourite, rather than silence.
This information is really, really important to gather, as it’s your body and mind that will respond to the practice. So these key elements that I have chosen, is what will make my time on the mat, the best experience that it can be.
It’s also important to remember to only go into a pose with the right intention. If your whole intention is to touch your toes, then you are not thinking about yoga in the right way. Yoga is about what you learn along the way down to touching your toes.
Your practice, if just that, your practice.
Always be kind to yourself, move with ease and grace. You are the most important person in your life.
Namaste.
