Yoga Basics Practicum Guide

As part of completing the Yoga Teacher Training course for certification, you are required to either schedule a time to teach in person, live online, or submit a video of your teaching. Outlined are the main guidelines for teaching. Follow the sequence of poses provided to guide a 30-45-minute class (see below with video examples).

Yoga Asana Class Practicum Main Guidelines:

1. Posture Flow:  Please teach one pose at a time, completing right side and left side, and allow people to integrate fully before moving into the next pose.  For example, when guiding standing poses, practice triangle on the right side and triangle on the left side focusing on points of alignment for that pose and then move onto the next. 
2. Breath:  The main breathing techniques for a Basics class include awareness of natural breath,  4-count breathing, and optional ujjayi breath. 
3. Alignment and Holding Poses:  The focus of a Basics class is to give detailed cues, share specifics on alignment, and offer safety points as necessary.  Poses are not held for more than 5-8 breaths, so you may come in and out of a pose 2-3 times to work the different points of alignment while making sure people in class have rest and are not holding poses for 20 breaths.  Or, you might find a creative way of breaking down the asana and working different points of alignment one step at of time. 
4. Demonstrating:  In a Basic class you may walk around and observe practitioners, physically assist them with permission, and demonstrate.  When you demo postures, make sure you demonstrate in a way that the people in class are able to see you. 
5. Instruction:  In a Basics class, it is important to offer instruction for every pose.  Whether it is a room of yoga teachers and advanced practitioners or beginners in your class, all benefit from hearing the cues and refining their asana practice.  Refrain from saying, “If you know this pose (if this pose is in your practice), go into it on your own.” By doing that, the practitioners miss out on the opportunity to refine their practice and perhaps go on to repeat patterns that may or may not be beneficial.  All of us benefit from step by step instruction…it refines not only our postures, but our ability to listen and be patient. 

Sequence:

Introduction, to cover and explain:

• Props you’ll be using for class
• Comfortable seat
• Guided 4-count breath
• Share what yoga is beyond asana, postures; setting an intention, and OM
• Awareness of breath meditation

Posture Practice:

• Cat/Cow
• Child Pose (or resting posture option)
• 1 Basic Sun Salute (simple and beginner friendly, see video for a couple options)
• Extended Triangle
• Half Butterfly
• Tee Pee Twist
• Bridge
• Windshield Wiper (lazy reclined twist)
• Knees to chest
• Legs up the wall or legs up with blanket/bolster in middle of room

Closing:

• Guided Relaxation
• Guided Meditation

Video Examples: