Mixed Level Classes

Introduction

The vast majority of classes draw students of various experience levels. This is arguably one of the most challenging areas of skill development for teachers. To effectively meet the needs of both new and experienced students is a deeply satisfying accomplishment. But it takes skill and attention.

Areas to consider focusing on include:

• Effectively demonstrating variations.
• Using language that is respectful and inclusive as well as empowering.
• Prioritizing how you attend to individual needs.

Demonstrating Effectively

Demonstration Technique

We are big proponents of the approach Baxter Bell M.D. describes below. It allows for complete demonstration of all variations you wish to teach. And it offers more experienced students the opportunity to experience the value in variations they may rarely experience.

TEACHING PROGRESSIVE STAGES TO WHOLE CLASS

My favorite way of addressing new students who don’t know the poses yet, able-bodied students of all levels, and my students with challenges in getting up and down from the floor, is to take everyone through an individual pose or vinyasa in advancing stages of difficulty… This, of course, assumes you have enough props, chairs, wall space, etc., for everyone to try the [earlier] versions at the same time. – Baxter Bell, M.D. 

Meditation Seats, Too

This same approach is an effective way to inspire students to choose a meditation seat that is optimal for their body. You might demonstrate a highly propped version of Virasana (Hero’s Pose) to the whole class, for instance, or a cross-legged seat propped on two folded blankets. In the propped cross-legged seat, you can show the relationship between knees and hips and why this is important. You can then offer students the option of progressively removing propping only as optimal alignment is maintained.

Grouping Students by Skill Level

When it’s possible and appropriate, you may wish to have students set up in such a way that beginners or those with particular conditions are in one area of class. This will enable you to more efficiently demonstrate and assist them.

Co-Teaching

Another option, as noted in the article above, is to utilize an assistant or a student assistant to demonstrate one version to a subset of class while you demonstrate another.