In my past experience with yoga, I have found that many teachers
are afraid of touching their students, and also some students decline
adjustments in their practice. But
as I have nearly completed my certification and have progressed in my journey
as a teacher, I have found a tremendous benefit to hands on adjustments. In this post I would like to share some
of the guidelines and benefits of hands on adjustments that I have learned.
Hands on adjustments bring a new element to a yoga
classroom. It is a traditional means of passing knowledge from teacher to
student. This is a powerful
teaching tool. Not only can that
it help students to go deeper into a stretch, but it can help the student learn
the proper alignment and positioning for the asana. On a different level, hands
on adjustments help to create a trusting bond between teacher and student.
In my practice as a teacher, I have come to find 3 reasons
for adjustments. They are as follows:
1.
Offer Support or Balance. I have found that some reassuring hands
on adjustments during more difficult asanas can really help the student to feel
more confident in the pose. It
helps them move into the pose correctly and prevents risk of injury caused by
improper posture during an asana. The students learn to trust in me as a
teacher and in their own body’s capacity.
2.
Suggest Direction. This can be achieved with
light acupressure or through movement of my hands in specific directions. This
can be used as a gentle reminder to the student to expand deeper into the
specific pose.
3.
Help Students Experience the Pose Differently.
Oftentimes with a small adjustment, the student can have a completely different
experience in the asana. With assistance, they may be able to go more deeply
into a pose with less resistance.
There are some occasions where I choose not to do hands on
adjustments. Sometimes my energy level is lower or the energy of the class is
taking me in a different direction. As a teacher I have learned to honor myself
and my students, and respect where the energy is taking us.
Most of my students appreciate the hands on adjustments. By
offering these adjustments, and respecting the trust each student places in me,
I have seen my students more fully comprehend the asana and their yoga
experience.
-Namaste
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