Teaching Asana: The Art of Verbal Cues, Demonstration, and Adjustments
Teaching Asana: The Art of Verbal Cues, Demonstration, and Adjustments
Teaching asana is a skill that requires clarity, confidence, and an ability to meet students where they are in their practice. A great yoga teacher does more than simply lead students through poses—they create an environment where students can deepen their understanding, refine their alignment, and master new asanas.
A well-structured class integrates verbal cues, demonstrations, and hands-on adjustments to support students in developing a safe and sustainable practice. Each of these teaching tools plays a unique role, and when used effectively, they enhance the learning experience for students of all levels.
In this guide, we’ll explore the essential components of teaching asana, offering practical tips to refine your verbal cues, demonstrations, and adjustments so you can lead your students with confidence and clarity.
1. The Power of Verbal Cues in Teaching Asana
Verbal cues are one of the most powerful tools a yoga teacher has. Clear, concise, and well-timed instructions help students understand how to move their bodies, engage specific muscles, and connect with their breath.
What Makes a Good Verbal Cue?
An effective verbal cue is:
•Clear and simple – Avoid over-explaining. Instead of saying, “Activate your quadriceps to lift the kneecaps and engage the core while pressing through all four corners of the feet,” simplify it to, “Firm the thighs, engage your core, and ground through your feet.”
•Breath-focused – Linking cues with breath guides students in moving with greater awareness. For example, “Inhale, lift your arms. Exhale, fold forward.”
•Action-oriented – Use direct and actionable language, such as “Press your heels into the mat” rather than “Try to ground your feet.”
•Inclusive of modifications – Recognizing that students have different levels of mobility, provide variations like, “If your hamstrings feel tight, bend your knees slightly in this forward fold.”
Types of Verbal Cues
A well-rounded class includes different types of cues that help students refine their practice.
1. Alignment Cues
These guide students toward proper form and structure in a pose.
•“Stack your knee over your ankle in Warrior I.”
•“Keep your elbows close to your torso in Chaturanga Dandasana.”
2. Breath Cues
Breath is the foundation of yoga, and cues should help students maintain rhythmic breathing.
•“Inhale, expand the chest; exhale, twist deeper.”
•“Breathe deeply through the nose as you hold this pose.”
3. Sensory and Energetic Cues
Encourage students to feel specific actions in their bodies.
•“Imagine your heart lifting toward the sky in Upward-Facing Dog.”
•“Feel the grounding sensation through your feet in Samastithi (equal standing pose.”
4. Drishti and Focus Cues
Guiding students on where to direct their gaze enhances concentration and balance.
•“Look to your thumb in Triangle Pose.”
•“Keep your gaze soft and steady in Tree Pose.”
2. The Role of Demonstration in Teaching Asana
A well-placed demonstration can be a powerful visual aid for students, helping them better understand alignment, transitions, and the subtleties of each pose. However, demonstrating too frequently can make it harder to observe students and provide personalized guidance.
When to Demonstrate a Pose
•When introducing a new or complex postures – Visual learning helps students understand body mechanics.
•When students seem confused by verbal cues – Sometimes, seeing a pose clarifies what words cannot.
•When emphasizing proper alignment or technique – Show a common misalignment and then demonstrate the correct form.
How to Demonstrate Effectively
•Face students – This keeps them engaged and connected.
•Speak while demonstrating – Verbalize alignment cues as you move into the pose.
•Encourage students to try – After a brief demo, have students attempt the pose and refine it as they practice.
3. The Art of Adjustments: Guiding Students with Hands-On Support
Physical adjustments are an important part of teaching asana, but they must be done mindfully and respectfully. The goal of an adjustment is not to force students deeper into a pose but to support their alignment, stability, and help to achieve and deepen their pose.
Types of Adjustments
There are three main types of adjustments that yoga teachers can use:
1. Verbal Adjustments
Before using hands-on assistance, always try verbal cues first.
•Instead of manually adjusting a student’s hips in Virabhadrasana B (warrior pose), say:
•“Press through the outer edge of your back foot and square your hips to the side.”
2. Light Touch Adjustments
Gentle hands-on guidance can help students refine their alignment.
•In Virabhadrasana, a teacher might lightly take hold of their arm to straighten and level their arms.
3. Deep Adjustments
For students who are comfortable with physical adjustments, deeper guidance may be helpful.
•In Seated Forward Fold, applying gentle pressure on the lower back can encourage lengthening.
Guidelines for Safe Adjustments
•Be mindful of pressure – Apply adjustments gradually and avoid pushing beyond a student’s capacity.
•Read body language – If a student tenses up or pulls away, respect their boundaries.
•Adjust from a place of support, not correction – Your role is to guide someone’s practice.
4. Finding Your Teaching Style
Every yoga teacher develops their own unique way of guiding students through asana. Some teachers rely more on verbal cues, while others incorporate more demonstrations or adjustments. The key is to develop a balanced teaching approach that allows for adaptability in different class settings.
Tips for Refining Your Teaching Approach
•Observe your students – Pay attention to their movement patterns and adjust your cues accordingly.
•Record your classes – Listening back can highlight areas where cues could be more precise or effective.
•Seek feedback – Ask students what helps them most in learning asanas.
Conclusion: Teaching Asana with Confidence and Compassion
Teaching asana is more than instructing—it’s empowering students to improve their practice with awareness and confidence. By integrating clear verbal cues, purposeful demonstrations, and mindful adjustments, you create an environment where students can deepen their connection to yoga in a safe and supportive way.
As you refine your teaching skills, remember: every student’s journey is unique. Some will respond better to verbal instruction, while others will benefit more from physical adjustments or visual demonstrations. The key is to remain adaptable, observant, and compassionate in your teaching approach.
By continually refining your skills and teaching from a place of authenticity, you will cultivate a powerful and inspiring presence as a yoga teacher. Keep learning, keep evolving, and keep sharing the joy of yoga with the world.
Namaste.
If you’d like to improve your teaching skills, learn to teach yoga or deepen your practice, enroll in Caroline’s yoga teacher training today!