Lovely chat. I always offer the option of savasana to people in my class for larger bodies. People rarely take it but it's there. We work so hard and speedily in life, an hour in the community of a class is what we all need. Can't imagine the "Maybe you should leave response."
What a lovely suggestion (savasana). Thank your for this thoughtful response and for sharing! I agree: slowing down is sometimes such good, good medicine. XO
Thank you for the tips!! I have this one student that ALWAYS does different things. One time I tried to give her alignment adjustment (not hands-on), she even told me NO. She's so flexible and always go for the extreme. Her high lunge is so low that her front knee move so much forward. After that incident, I know that I need to give her more space. I don't take it personally. That's just the practice she wants.
Rachel you’re one of my favorite RUclips yogis. And I usually agree with every single thing that you say! Because I absolutely love you! But I have to disagree with you on this one. And this is just my opinion, but it’s our responsibility as teachers to hold space for every student in the class. So I always preface my classes with “this is a multi level class so there will be multi levels of practice. If you see somebody doing something that looks very complicated or advanced please be inspired by them but not discouraged for yourself. And there may be students in here who need to dial it back a notch. We are all here to practice our own practice so please don’t get distracted by others.” And I always make sure that I make Drishti A very strong part of each pose. I have been teaching yoga for years and my husband has just been practicing for the last year. So he is very much a newbie. But I do go to yoga classes with him, for him. And typically they are all levels Classes. So there are mostly Beginner to advance beginners in the class. I always set up in the back corner if I can, but sometimes there is not a space because every newbie runs to that same place. But I do my best to stay within the parameters of what the teacher is teaching but I will add different things in to follow my own practice. Because that is my practice. I’ve had teachers bring attention to me and say things like” if you want to show off you can do XY and z like her.” And of course they say that jokingly (I hope) but it makes me very uncomfortable and it makes me feel like I cannot have my own practice. As teachers, we should be holding space for anyone who’s in our class regardless of their level and abilities. I’m a big fan of setting people up in my class for the unexpected instead of having to have difficult conversations afterward. But these are just my thoughts. Thank you for all of your amazing videos. I have loved every single video of yours that I have watched!
Hello hello and so great to meet you! I am so glad that you have shared this and you articulated it so well 😃I do agree with you that it is our responsibility to hold space for all students in class… particularly beginners. Perhaps the difference is that I would be more structured with my advanced students if they were running ahead? I love what you’ve said here - I’m so glad you added your thoughts. Teachers take note: That preface could be a useful addition to your own teaching style if you are teaching all level classes! Thank you for sharing and helping discuss this piece🙌🏻🙏🏻
@@RachelScottYoga I’m so glad I found you and your videos💕 I’m a fellow anatomy geek and I cannot get enough!! I love your anatomy videos! You are so awesome🙏🏻
@@yogaforbeginnersorlando3084 yay!!!!! If you like my stuff you may also like my partners website… He has tons of free Anatomy info on there. It is gilhedley.com🙌🏻
Very valuable information here including what to say to someone in the front row doing their own thing. I'm also very curious how you would handle new students (friends who come together) who are talking, laughing and making comments during the practice.
Craig Stenehjem great question - And merits its own that discussion! I’ll put it on the list for the next time that mel and I make a video... The short answer is that I use humor. I’ll jokingly say, “there’s no talking or laughing in yoga!”Or the like. It works for my style of teaching. A quiet and friendly aside to them after class about “class style” or “yoga etiquette” may work too.
You are so welcome!!! Annnndddd....being nervous is completely normal - in fact, it's a really important part of the process (and I still get nervous!) When they say, "Oh, just be yourself/ be comfortable" it's entirely impossible! Being nervous means that you care. But when you're nervous, what you can do is focus on your students. When we make them our focus (and take it off of how we're doing)...things start to come together. :)
I've personally had a few episodes where the student-s weren't following the instructions, even though I've repeatedly demonstrated and commented the asanas, occasionally looking themselves in the mirror..Oh ! no to mention the phone noises 😖 I've also asked whether they were in my class and if they wouldn't mind to try stick to the practice, avoiding to be abrupt or confrontational towards them, other times, I've just ignored them, those were the times when I felt better and focused on the ones who were following along harmoniously but recently I've been teaching what has turned up to be a tamasic couple who after a few months of practicing yoga with me tends to want to teach me things or just not following accordingly, I gladly listen and observe but if there's some part that I don't agree about I have my methods of telling them what is best for them. Needless to say it disrespectable, since you put a great deal of efforts into the teachings, talking, demonstrating and correcting providing you manage some degree of control over the class as if it was like a symphony orchestra. Nevertheless, I believe the idea that everyone should stick to their own job and not trying to do someone else's especially if you're lacking of knowledge and experience. As for me, I'm a senior Yoga Sattvic student who's lived the Gurukul life on and off for the past 20 years, May you find peace and calm within. Sat Nam 🙏📿 Ramdas, the server of Lord Rama.
I guess it depends on the style of yoga you’re teaching but my question for students who want to do their own thing in classes is why come to a class if you want to do your own practice? As a teacher, I’m always happy to modify classes for students where necessary but I’m also responsible for my other students - I don’t want my classroom to turn in to a competitive space. I work hard to make it possible for students to feel okay doing modifications where they need to, not to feel that they have “failed” or are somehow “lesser”. Students who turn the classroom space into a performance space as opposed to a learning one are directly undermining this. If we want to talk about community, students also have responsibilities to the others included in that community - the teacher and their fellow students. Like most teachers, there are times when I am also a student. At those times, I put aside my own way of doing things, so that I can learn something new. It hasn’t always been comfortable but it’s always been worthwhile.
This was a lovely chat to listen to as a student, as we don't always know the teacher's side of things ! Thank you both for the precious love you give
You are so welcome!! Thanks for being here and listening ;)
Love this kind of talks, it's so authentic and it's lovely listen to both of you 😊 NG from Austria
I'm glad that you enjoy; happy to have you here!- Hello from Colorado! :)
Very helpful thank you and also so authentic spontaneously talking.. In my case I am over thinking and being emotional but this helps me
I try to remember: breathe and be of service...helps get me out of my head!
I appreciate the thoughtful insights inspired by a sense of service and love.
Tako Oda 🙏🏻🙏🏻
Lovely chat. I always offer the option of savasana to people in my class for larger bodies. People rarely take it but it's there. We work so hard and speedily in life, an hour in the community of a class is what we all need. Can't imagine the "Maybe you should leave response."
What a lovely suggestion (savasana). Thank your for this thoughtful response and for sharing! I agree: slowing down is sometimes such good, good medicine. XO
Thank you for the tips!! I have this one student that ALWAYS does different things. One time I tried to give her alignment adjustment (not hands-on), she even told me NO. She's so flexible and always go for the extreme. Her high lunge is so low that her front knee move so much forward. After that incident, I know that I need to give her more space. I don't take it personally. That's just the practice she wants.
Lucy Cheng that is a GREAT insight! Thanks for posting 💕 the real life examples are great to read :)
Having your knee past the ankle in high lunge is an injury waiting to happen.
Thank you for this lovely and helpful video. I always love your videos for yoga teachers!
You're so welcome Rebecca!!! Thanks for listening!
Rachel you’re one of my favorite RUclips yogis. And I usually agree with every single thing that you say! Because I absolutely love you! But I have to disagree with you on this one. And this is just my opinion, but it’s our responsibility as teachers to hold space for every student in the class. So I always preface my classes with “this is a multi level class so there will be multi levels of practice. If you see somebody doing something that looks very complicated or advanced please be inspired by them but not discouraged for yourself. And there may be students in here who need to dial it back a notch. We are all here to practice our own practice so please don’t get distracted by others.” And I always make sure that I make Drishti A very strong part of each pose.
I have been teaching yoga for years and my husband has just been practicing for the last year. So he is very much a newbie. But I do go to yoga classes with him, for him. And typically they are all levels Classes. So there are mostly Beginner to advance beginners in the class. I always set up in the back corner if I can, but sometimes there is not a space because every newbie runs to that same place. But I do my best to stay within the parameters of what the teacher is teaching but I will add different things in to follow my own practice. Because that is my practice. I’ve had teachers bring attention to me and say things like” if you want to show off you can do XY and z like her.” And of course they say that jokingly (I hope) but it makes me very uncomfortable and it makes me feel like I cannot have my own practice. As teachers, we should be holding space for anyone who’s in our class regardless of their level and abilities. I’m a big fan of setting people up in my class for the unexpected instead of having to have difficult conversations afterward.
But these are just my thoughts. Thank you for all of your amazing videos. I have loved every single video of yours that I have watched!
Hello hello and so great to meet you! I am so glad that you have shared this and you articulated it so well 😃I do agree with you that it is our responsibility to hold space for all students in class… particularly beginners. Perhaps the difference is that I would be more structured with my advanced students if they were running ahead? I love what you’ve said here - I’m so glad you added your thoughts. Teachers take note: That preface could be a useful addition to your own teaching style if you are teaching all level classes! Thank you for sharing and helping discuss this piece🙌🏻🙏🏻
@@RachelScottYoga I’m so glad I found you and your videos💕 I’m a fellow anatomy geek and I cannot get enough!! I love your anatomy videos! You are so awesome🙏🏻
@@yogaforbeginnersorlando3084 yay!!!!! If you like my stuff you may also like my partners website… He has tons of free Anatomy info on there. It is gilhedley.com🙌🏻
@@RachelScottYoga Thank you!! I’ll check him out!
Very valuable information here including what to say to someone in the front row doing their own thing. I'm also very curious how you would handle new students (friends who come together) who are talking, laughing and making comments during the practice.
Craig Stenehjem great question - And merits its own that discussion! I’ll put it on the list for the next time that mel and I make a video... The short answer is that I use humor. I’ll jokingly say, “there’s no talking or laughing in yoga!”Or the like. It works for my style of teaching. A quiet and friendly aside to them after class about “class style” or “yoga etiquette” may work too.
Thanks so much for your videos. I am in the middle of my 200 hour ttc and feeling nervous about teaching
You are so welcome!!! Annnndddd....being nervous is completely normal - in fact, it's a really important part of the process (and I still get nervous!) When they say, "Oh, just be yourself/ be comfortable" it's entirely impossible! Being nervous means that you care. But when you're nervous, what you can do is focus on your students. When we make them our focus (and take it off of how we're doing)...things start to come together. :)
I've personally had a few episodes where the student-s weren't following the instructions, even though I've repeatedly demonstrated and commented the asanas, occasionally looking themselves in the mirror..Oh ! no to mention the phone noises 😖
I've also asked whether they were in my class and if they wouldn't mind to try stick to the practice, avoiding to be abrupt or confrontational towards them, other times, I've just ignored them, those were the times when I felt better and focused on the ones who were following along harmoniously but recently I've been teaching what has turned up to be a tamasic couple who after a few months of practicing yoga with me tends to want to teach me things or just not following accordingly, I gladly listen and observe but if there's some part that I don't agree about I have my methods of telling them what is best for them. Needless to say it disrespectable, since you put a great deal of efforts into the teachings, talking, demonstrating and correcting providing you manage some degree of control over the class as if it was like a symphony orchestra.
Nevertheless, I believe the idea that everyone should stick to their own job and not trying to do someone else's especially if you're lacking of knowledge and experience.
As for me, I'm a senior Yoga Sattvic student who's lived the Gurukul life on and off for the past 20 years, May you find peace and calm within.
Sat Nam 🙏📿
Ramdas, the server of Lord Rama.
Thank you for sharing! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻
I guess it depends on the style of yoga you’re teaching but my question for students who want to do their own thing in classes is why come to a class if you want to do your own practice? As a teacher, I’m always happy to modify classes for students where necessary but I’m also responsible for my other students - I don’t want my classroom to turn in to a competitive space. I work hard to make it possible for students to feel okay doing modifications where they need to, not to feel that they have “failed” or are somehow “lesser”. Students who turn the classroom space into a performance space as opposed to a learning one are directly undermining this. If we want to talk about community, students also have responsibilities to the others included in that community - the teacher and their fellow students.
Like most teachers, there are times when I am also a student. At those times, I put aside my own way of doing things, so that I can learn something new. It hasn’t always been comfortable but it’s always been worthwhile.