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Partner Yoga Teaching Tips
By Christina | November 4, 2008
I have been teaching yoga class for a few years now and love every experience because every experience is so different from the last. Some days the flow is perfect and harmonious, other days there may be more conversation during the practice or laughing. Sometimes the mood is quiet and reflective and others fun and energetic. There is never a right or wrong and there no such thing as a perfect pose. I love to incorporate new ideas into my yoga to keep the energy always changing and exciting, yes, yoga can be exciting.. LOL
This week, I added partner poses into my yoga class and loved it. Here are key points to keep in mind if you want to do the same:
- If you have students with injuries, they may not be the best candidates for partner work
- Your students must be able to maintain a steady base pose before trying it with a partner - for example, if someone cannot hold chair, they should not be doing chair with someone else who will be relying on them
- Always give the option to do a pose alone while also cuing the partner version so that no one feels excluded from the experience
- Give modifications for the partner pose so that all can execute the pose
- Let everyone know you will be doing partner work during the practice before you begin the class and give them permission not to participate
