5 Simple Tips to Build Yoga Community in Yoga Class
Teaching yoga is inevitably far more challenging than learning yoga or practicing it on your own. Developing precision in yoga poses is probably the simplest aspect of becoming a yoga teacher, yet it occupies most of the attention of aspiring yoga teachers. Aspiring yoga teachers come to face more challenging aspects of teaching yoga as they begin to take their own classes.
Building a yoga community in your class is one such aspect, which could be much more challenging than it already is if you don’t take steps in the right direction. Taking yoga training at residential retreats in Rishikesh, Bali or other yoga hubs can help you in realizing the importance of community, since you experience it yourself there. On the other hand, local studios may not be able to build that kind of an environment for nurturing camaraderie and community building.
Let’s discuss a few factors that will help you in achieving this feat; irrespective of the place you give lessons, whether at a studio or at home.
Welcome Everyone Warmly
Most of us feel a little uncomfortable with the idea of joining a new place with lots of new people, like a yoga class. You can ensure that your new students feel that they belong in the class from the very first day by inviting them in a friendly manner, as well as asking all the students to follow this ritual.
Call Everyone by Name
It is important that you and all your students know each other by name. Calling everyone by name is the key ingredient in establishing good communication. Learning about each other’s life experiences inspires us to help others. And in this friendly environment teaching, learning and practicing yoga becomes much more fun.
Include Extracurricular Activities
People come to know about each other in a better way through sports and adventurous activities. Taking your students for an excursion builds the feeling of community in them. Adventurous activities also help us in living in the moment, which is helpful in enhancing the effects of yoga practice.
Switch Roles
Switching roles is another good way to let people know about each other in a way they cannot know otherwise. Ask your students to play yoga teacher and teach each other. In this way, you not only will come to know how much they have learned so far, but also about their teaching skills. You can decide accordingly who requires more attention and who can help you in guiding others. It will also improve the interaction between students and strengthen the bond of community.
Allow the Community to Grow
To build a strong yoga community, important thing is to let it grow beyond the perimeters of the classroom. Motivate your students to spread the teaching of yoga, professionally or privately, so that your yoga community can get larger. Only by becoming larger can your yoga community become stronger. In fact, the idea of building your yoga community must have first come to you in the same fashion, from your teacher. Give your students the vision that your teachers have given you for the growth of yoga community.