5 Questions to Ask Your Yoga Teacher

5 Questions to Ask a Yoga Teacher

Here are some practical tips for getting the most from a Yoga professional. 

1. 1.   What type of training did you receive?     

Basic curriculum includes information about anatomy, study of classical works such as Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras or the 8 Limbs of Yoga, and practicum hours.  What were they trained to teach?  Kundalini, Hatha, or Laughter Yoga?  You want your teacher to be teaching what they were trained to teach!  And finally what were the examination requirements?  Some schools offer graduation to everyone who takes the course, regardless of their personal mastery of the information. 

When it comes to Yogic training, more is definitely more.  A teacher with more than 1000 hours of training will likely have an area of specialization, such as pre or post natal, yoga for children, or the elderly.  A Yoga Therapist will be able to assess your situation and provide you with a course of meditation or movement that will help you reach your goals.  Assess your needs and choose your practitioner accordingly.    

1. 2.   How many hours of experience do you have? 

Think about a doctor fresh out of medical school.  Even with hours of study and the intention to do good work, experience will be the key to determining his or her success.   Experience polishes communication skills, and hones the ability to listen, motivate and inspire.  The same is true for a Yoga teacher.   Now to be fair, everyone starts somewhere.  A new teacher is just as valuable as someone with years of experience.  Ask where they have taught and how often, who their students have been and you will get a sense of their experience.    

1. 3.   What style of Yoga do you teach? 

There are literally hundreds of styles of Yoga, each with a different emphasis. For each, you will find a teacher with his or her own method of passing on the teachings.   When I was most in need of a personal transformation in my life, I met many Yoga teachers.  The person I was most drawn to opened up the door to Kundalini Yoga.  Kundalini Yoga is a classically taught form of Yoga.  The teacher does not demonstrate, and each class involves mantra, movement and meditation.  This practice gave me the skills and techniques to break free from limiting beliefs and patterns.  Similarly you may be drawn to a particular teacher for a reason.  Does he or she exude a quality that you would like to attain?  Ask how their Yoga practice compliments who they are as a person.  If it resonates with you, take the class and be open to what unfolds. 

1. 4.   What other training do you have?

This is a nice to have.  A Yoga Teacher with a background in kinesiology may be able to guide you through a sequence of movements with an emphasis on body alignment.  A teacher who has trained in other healing modalities may be able to provide you with affirmations or complimentary therapies that can boost your Yoga practice.  Asking this question will also help you to discover the other skills and talents that your Yoga professional can offer you. 

1. 5.   How would I best benefit from your class? 

This is a trick question.  You benefit most by showing up!

But before you do, ask the teacher about their teaching style.  Is there a theme to the class or a discussion before or after?  Is the class for beginners, advanced or for all levels?  Is it mostly physical postures?  Does it incorporate meditation and breath work?  These questions will help you get a sense of what to expect and how the class will be conducted.  Remember that yoga is more than the physical postures.  If you have never meditated before or explored a breathing practice, try it and see what it brings you.