I never thought I’d sit down to meditate and write about this, but after taking yoga classes in more than five countries, in different languages, and completing my most recent certification here in India, I decided to bring my notes into a blog post.
Especially now, after witnessing the beautiful overflow of practitioners and traditional yoga teachers here, I feel a deep call to reflect on what it truly means to teach.
Being a yoga teacher is not simply about teaching postures or guiding breathwork.
It’s an act of conscious service, a way of holding space for others to reconnect with their bodies, minds, and hearts.
As one of my favorite quotes says:
“A yoga teacher doesn’t give yoga. They awaken the yoga that already lives within each person.”
A true teacher:
- Inspires, rather than imposes.
- Holds space, rather than dominates it.
- Guides with respect, not control.
- Teaches from love, not from ego.
Teaching yoga is, at its essence, an act of presence and humility.
It’s not about showing how much you know, but about accompanying others with compassion through their own process.touché😉
The Ethics of a Teacher
Being a yoga teacher means committing deeply to yourself and to your students.
It’s not just about mastering technique; it’s about living yoga.
Responsibility
- Prioritize your students’ well-being above everything.
- Prepare each class with intention.
- Keep learning so you can offer safe and meaningful practices.
Humility
- Acknowledge that you don’t know everything — and that’s okay.
- Be open to feedback.
- Let go of the need to impress.
Integrity
- Live what you teach.
- Stay aligned with yogic values (Yamas & Niyamas).
- Teach from authenticity and compassion.
Be the Practice
Your most powerful teaching tool is you.
Not your postures — but your breath, your energy, your presence, and your ability to truly listen.
The impact of a teacher is not in their physical form, but in the vibration they transmit.
The deeper your personal practice, the more grounded and transformative your teaching becomes.
The Importance of Class Planning
A well-planned class feels like a journey, it has purpose, flow, and conscious closure.
Planning allows you to:
- Give direction and intention to the practice.
- Ensure safety and balance.
- Guide the group’s energy from the beginning to the end with awareness.
A classic class structure:
Opening (centering) – Breath awareness, intention setting, connecting to the present moment.
Warm-up – Gentle movements, joint rotations, breath-body connection.
Main sequence (peak) – Standing postures, balances, flow, or the main asana.
Cool down / floor work – Forward folds, twists, hip openers.
Closing/integration – Savasana, meditation, mantra, or final words.
A well-designed class feels like a story that you live through your body.
Teaching Techniques: Voice, Words & Presence
Your voice is a sacred instrument. It can calm, guide, and inspire.
Speak clearly, from the heart — and leave space for silence.
Essential reminders:
- Use a calm yet clear tone.
- Adjust your rhythm: slower for grounding, more fluid during flow.
- Say less, but make it meaningful.
- Breathe while you speak.
Effective cues:
- Simple – avoid unnecessary metaphors.
- Clear – say exactly what you mean.
- Specific – point attention where it’s needed.
- Inclusive – offer options for different bodies and experiences.
Example:
❌ “Open your heart and fly to the sky.”😂
✅ “Lift your chest, roll your shoulders back, soften your jaw.”🙌
Demonstration & Observation
- Demonstrate when needed, especially for beginners or visual learners.
- Observe more than you show, that’s how you learn to read your students.
- Move around the space; your presence also teaches.
Physical Adjustments (with consent)
- Always ask before touching.
- Be respectful and gentle.
- Remember that a well-delivered verbal cue is often enough.
To Be a Teacher Is Always to Be a Student
To teach is to keep learning: about the body, the mind, and life itself.
When you teach from presence, humility, and coherence, you become the kind of teacher who doesn’t seek followers,
but rather awakens teachers in others.
“Be the practice.
Be the silence between the words.
Be the calm your students are searching for.”
If you’re on this path, whether you’re already teaching or preparing to teach, I wish you all the success, wisdom, and grace the journey can offer.
And if you simply love yoga and practice for yourself, remember: these same principles belong to you, too.
Integrity. Presence. Humility. Compassion.
They’re not only for those who guide others, they’re for anyone walking this path with an open heart.
Let your practice teach you.
Let your breath remind you.
And let your life become the quiet space where yoga truly unfolds.
