What makes a good teacher?

[Kimberly]

What makes a good yoga teacher? Picture-perfect poses? Being able to do all the poses? A particular style, voice, personality? What makes a good teacher?

[Beth]

A good yoga teacher takes care of themselves, allowing them to bring their full energy, attention and care to their students in each class. A good yoga teacher is compassionate, empathetic, imaginative, and innovative. I believe a good yoga teacher embodies the practice and leads by example in their own lives. I think being able to do all the poses is not a concern, nor a particular kind of voice or personality. Variety is the spice of life and I believe there are many personalities, possibly limitless, to a good yoga teacher. I think a good yoga teacher is able to be themselves while also being able to meet people where they are in their practice, bringing encouragement to enhance their experience. Yoga teachers allow others to deepen their practice spiritually and physically, using poses that can target problem areas or finding modifications which help all students feel the benefits of yoga.

Yoga teachers are representing yoga as a practice and a way of life, which makes each of us capable of providing a positive, new experience or renewing a past experience or practice for a returning yogi. Yoga can be enjoyed and beneficial at all levels, therefore, a good yoga teacher isn’t competitive but introduces a sense of humor or a practical application for yoga to help bring yoga into other people’s lives.

A good teacher of any subject is passionate about what they teach and eager to share it with others. A good teacher also believes in what they teach and understands their impact is part of something larger than themselves. A good teacher is humble and inviting, as well as approachable to students. I believe the best teachers challenge their students at the right moments, encourage others when it is needed and can tell the difference between these two situations. Teaching is partly helping others grow which does require the student to be willing to follow the teacher outside of their comfort zone, just enough to expand, but not far enough to cause any pain. A good teacher knows how to navigate the boundary between growth and over-extending students. I think a good teacher knows how to balance a class full of yogis at different levels of skill and find ways to deepen each student’s experience.

[LAD92761]

That’s a great question. As I get more engrained into the practice, I am finding that what makes a good yoga teacher is really who touches all of my senses on any particular day. A good yoga teacher is one who identifies with me (re: whomever is in the class), and makes me feel as though I am where I need to be, challenges me to focus on being present, challenges me to push a little farther than my comfort zone and to trust that I am exactly where I need to be according to a power higher than I.

[regmarlew63]

Someone who has an open mind and perspective. One who is patient, and realizes that everyone’s practice is individual to them, and is their own personal journey. A good teacher will also learn along the way with their students.

[dooley]

A good yoga teacher means just being a good teacher. What does this mean? Well, it means a teacher who has the dedication, has the patience, and has the love for their practice. It doesn’t mean doing the most difficult poses perfectly. It is also about having good energy and being passionate about sharing what you know.

The dedication comes from being on your mat on a daily basis. I believe this helps develop the patience the teacher needs to grow their own practice, and this will create the love for helping others.
Being a good yoga teacher also means having good energy along with having the passion to guide their students to grow in their own yoga journey.

I compare being a yoga teacher to a teacher in education. You have to make your classroom about the students. What do they need? How are you going to assist them in those needs. You want to empower those students to believe they can achieve their goals. This holds true when you are teaching a yoga class. It is all about letting them know that this class is not about you as being the teacher it is about them and creating a classroom where they can leave feeling empowered and confident.

[CindyHurst]

A good teacher is learning all the time, embraces what they’ve learned, and is passionate about sharing her/his wisdom with students.
A good teacher sees the uniqueness of each student and supports their strengths rather than just encouraging change.
A good teacher is comfortable with their knowledge as well as being open to new ideas or ways of doing things.
A good teacher is comfortable in their own skin.
A good teacher is approachable and willing to assist.
A good teacher is able to “read” the energy in the room and adjust as required.

[sally200]

A good teacher has the desire to connect with each student. In the beginning on a small level by remembering something special about them or something they have mentioned. As time together grows, a good teacher builds a relationship. Good teachers give a student inspiration to try to excel, showing them the path and encouraging them. Good teachers show up happy and prepared. They give more, than expected.
They are there for the student in the tough times and across the finish line. Good teachers make the classroom creative and fun, and sometimes let you out of class early!!
A good teacher makes all the students feel worthy, and accomplished, and if they struggle helps out.
Good teachers are remembered and appreciated.

[msinghal]

What makes a good yoga teacher for me really is someone who:
(1) connects with his/her students easily in a warm welcoming way rather than being an intimidating figure. It is almost better that he or she is not perfect in his or her ability to do the more difficult poses, making him or her more relatable.
(2) is knowledgeable, but humble. Someone who has a good understanding of poses, adjustments, and alignment and takes the time to correct (but not over correct) students. However, he or she never makes fun of a student’s lack of ability or knowledge.
(3) keeps the talking to the minimum allowing the students to focus on their own bodies and intentions. This also goes for the choice of music and its volume.
(4) takes time to prepare for his/her classes ahead of time and offers a touch of novelty/variety and his or her personality in theme, intention, or sequence in each class.

• This reply was modified 7 years, 3 months ago by msinghal.
• This reply was modified 7 years, 3 months ago by msinghal.

[Abigail2460]

Excellent question! What makes a good effective yoga instructor is ones ability to utilize their mindfulness, knowledge and experience to share a quieter or more untroubled retreat than in your own soul and being present during each and every class.

[betshellhaas]

A good yoga teacher inspires you to do your best. Not push you past your limit, but encourage you to listen to your body and do what is best for you at that time. A good yoga teacher creates an inclusive, accepting atmosphere for all students. Despite a student’s level, a good teacher gives options to allow you to take your practice deeper or to stay where you’re comfortable. They are also educated and knowledgeable of poses, form, and cues to help you find the feel of the pose. Reminding you that it is not whether you can do the pose perfectly but that you feel good in the pose. I believe a teacher is someone who leads by example and teaches what they know.

[lisaclick48]

A good yoga teacher will possess the qualities of being a practicing yoga and all that it entails in the yogi lifestyle. A role model, a leader with the ability to provide a positive influence of verbal and nob-verbal communication, observant of their yogi audience with focus on safety of poses. Sharing a bit of yogi history, providing cues that are easily understood, music to assist in bringing the zen-like safe trusting environment making students feel comfortable and important. A good teacher will be positive and approachable to all students sharing their inspiring guidance, affirmations, explaining intentions to provoke thought and self-growth of each yogi. Teaching with passion and assisting each yogi on their own journey of self growth and discovery.

[EmilyD]

I’m answering before I read everyone’s comments.

Over the last six months, I have taken classes with a lot of yoga teachers. The ones I enjoy the most are the teachers who make me feel welcome, capable, and comfortable. There is something very powerful about a teacher that puts a person at ease. It’s not that the teacher knows the poses or how to prompt them, although it goes without saying that that is a requirement. For me, a good teacher is someone who:

1. Smiles and starts a converstation before class. It helps me relax and get in a good space.
2. Shares the thought or work (a song, poem, dream, holiday, etc.) that prompted what we are doing in class that day.
3. Can read the room, be flexible, and make changes on the fly. I’ve been in classes where a teacher realized there were people who need modificaitons to make it harder or easier. I’ve also been in classes where the teacher slowed it way down to keep everyone on task. It’s really nice to be in a class with a flexible teacher versus one that will only stick to “the plan.”
4. That is willing to make manual adjustments.
5. Is willing to laugh at his/herself and isn’t serious all of the time.
6. Makes me leave a class thinking of ways to make myself better.

[LAD92761]

I wanted to add a couple of things.
1. ENERGY: a good teacher brings it into the class and shares to all.
2. WISDOM: a good teacher uses her wisdom to get class to breath all the way though class, senses and shares voice instruction on deepening pose, creating a work around if someone struggles, being intuitive on each student so they can continue to practice and breathe naturally vs worrying if doing pose right.
3. INTENTION: Creates thought provoking atmosphere to help set intentions through practice.

[heatherfly]

When I think of experiences of having had a good teacher there’s been warmth and welcoming making it feel as if it mattered I came; s/he is focused and able to lead thru sequences keeping in mind symmetry (always amazes me); it’s interesting and engaging to be moving in the way s/he cues. I always feel warm toward a teacher who models embracing her own limitations and finding what becomes possible when she does that. And lastly, a strong presence – really being wholly in the room, with intention and attention aligned – creates a magnetic energy that calls me to presence as well.

[KHuttsell]

When I think of what makes a great yoga instructor, the first thought that comes to mind is one who creates a comfortable environment for his/her students. It can often be intimidating to walk into a studio you have never before practiced in – I know I have done this often! It is the teacher that immediately sets the tone as to how quickly one can ease into his/her practice. Did the teacher welcome the new students? Ask about special conditions affecting or limiting a student’s practice? Does she seem willing to aid a student with props? The unique needs of the student should draw the student closer to the teacher – not be a hindrance to the interaction. Another important attribute is the teacher’s enthusiasm for the moment they are in. A teacher who seems pleased to be on this journey with his/her students for the class or workshop duration allows students to more fully experience their practice, and feel part of something greater.

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