My Role as a Yoga Instructor

I BELIEVE MY MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES AS A YOGA INSTRUCTOR ARE

TO ASSIST participants in cultivating a considerate relationship with their mind, body, breath and intention

TO ENCOURAGE participants to move mindfully, and to rely on their senses to protect, support, and guide them along their health and wellness journey

TO PROVIDE a venue where participants can discover their strengths, while learning to understand, explore, and appreciate any weaknesses

TO GUIDE students towards a deeper awareness of their body, how it works, how it moves, how it responds to physical stressors, and how a deeper physical awareness may assist with reactions to physical as well as emotional stressors

TO ALLOW options, modifications, and assistance when needed

TO BRING awareness to the integration of mind, body, breath, and intention and how it assists in limiting tension and allows for deeper exploration of postures and movements

Only until I have cultivated a connection and mutual respect and understanding with a class participant will I see it appropriate to engage in physical contact to provide direction, cuing, or an alignment correction.

I feel it is a disservice to class participants for me to use hands-on physical "adjustments" when guiding them to find their expression of a posture. 

In my experience, I have found it most beneficial to my class participants, and to myself as an experience Yoga Instructor, Movement Educator, and Certified Yoga Therapist, to use my verbal and visual skills first, to convey a safe and respectful practice.

Please see the following post on Hands on Adjustments for a more thorough explanation of my stance on teaching "hands-on." 

I welcome any comments and opinions on the subject.

-Melissa Adylia Calasanz C-IAYT