Student Wants and Needs

What Students Want… And What They Really Need

So you’ve decided to embrace your inner guru and guide new students into the world of Ashtanga yoga. Noble, indeed. But just remember, while your classes are undoubtedly enlightening, some of these newbies really do need a bit of hand-holding—or at least the sensation of it—alongside their mat on this journey. They crave that personal attention. Imagine that! Feeling seen, acknowledged, and included. Revolutionary, I know.

Meanwhile, don’t forget their longing for independence. Students want freedom, although ironically, they sometimes wish someone was looking over their shoulder approvingly. Ah, the human paradox. Once they feel safe, they want to accelerate the path to nirvana—at their own speed, of course, which could mean warp speed or sloth pace. But ultimately, it’s your task as a teacher to create this delicate balance of visibility and personal space.

Remember, in facing new challenges, students might manifest their own preferred brand of awkwardness or anxiety. Sounds like fun, right? Some will want to disappear, blending seamlessly into their mat; others might just need extra assurance. In essence, we’re all still just trying not to freak out in new environments. Yoga—particularly the Ashtanga variety—tends to surface our various anxieties and unresolved life dilemmas. When fear is present, students may swing between desiring your attention to preferring invisibility. However, the golden rule is that they all need to feel secure and accepted, no matter how quirky their reactions are.

Be More Than Just Thoughtful

As a teacher, aim to be a little more than just a warm body in the front of the class. Channel your inner sage by arriving early, mingling with each student, and treating them like human beings. A friendly hello, some eye contact, and even a smile are recommended tactics to support human connection. Some calm chit-chat might ease their entry into the temple of temporary transcendence, allowing opportunities to inquire about their yoga history, bodily concerns, or any inconvenient injuries that might make them avoid attempting to impersonate a pretzel.

Showtime, Subtly

Now, when it comes to demonstrating this whole yoga thing, clear verbal cues are your best allies. That way, new students aren’t just gawking at you and assuming they’re engaged in spectator sport. While wandering around the room with strategic aimlessness, you can offer personalized advice that is both discreet and useful. When demonstrating, please consider they may need the yoga pose equivalent of training wheels. Introduce advanced poses sparingly lest you knock them out of the running straight away.

Avoid the Spotlight… When Possible

Instead of fixing your students like some well-meaning repairman, think about inspiring them. The secret here is guidance over correction. Craft an arena where your students feel both challenged and supported. Such an environment might actually enable them to explore their practice without unnecessarily stripping their self-esteem to its bare bones.

For more of these enlightening insights, visit this guide, where the wisdom of Ashtanga yoga and sardonic advice happily coexist. Namaste.