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Defining & Teaching Alignment

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Teaching Arts

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Overview

In this lesson, we define alignment and a general approach to teaching it.

Objective

Clearly understand why and how to teach people as opposed to poses, and techniques for empowering students to learn alignment “from the inside.”

What You'll Get

Define and discuss the term, “alignment.” Explain the goal of alignment and discuss possible outcomes from healthy alignment, such as joint functioning, the free flow of prana and a sense of mental-emotional-spiritual integration. Consider the differences between the human body and buildings or machines. Explain why no alignment teaching works for all students. Discuss teaching people vs poses and the maturity required to consider principles — not dictate rules. Propose priorities in teaching alignment. Discuss the subject of “proper” alignment. Explore the value in empowering students to learn alignment “from the inside” and how this can be accomplished.

Defining Alignment

Defining Alignment

In yoga, alignment refers to how the body is placed in the field of gravity. “Alignment, conceptually, is not good or bad. It’s just a description of how we are arranged in space.” (David Keil)

Alignment often concerns the outer body: bones, muscles, feet, arms, head, etc. It may also refer to the inner body such as organs. The breath is intimately involved in arranging the body in yoga.

The goal of alignment is to support the student’s experience of a pose. It’s typically intended to assist students in exploring in healthy, functional ways, and to avoid injury.

Asanas don’t have alignment — people have alignment. – Leslie Kaminoff

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