Teaching Methodology, Class Planning and Student Safety
Planning a class
A defensible plan has a stated objective and a structure: centering, warm-up, progressive main practice building to a peak, cool-down, pranayama, relaxation, closing. Sequence so that preparation precedes the peak posture, counterposes follow it, both sides are balanced, and intensity rises and falls smoothly. Have a prepared modification and prop option for every major posture, and a lower-intensity alternative for the student who arrives unwell.
Teaching craft
Cue in layers - action, alignment, breath, then awareness - and lead demonstration sparingly so students look inward rather than at the teacher. Regulate voice, count breaths, use clear spatial language, and move around the room without singling anyone out. Give instructions before the posture, not after students are already committed.
Safety and screening
Use an intake form covering medical history, medications, injuries and pregnancy. Inspect the space: floor, mats, ventilation, temperature, clearance. Keep a first-aid kit and an emergency plan, know the nearest medical facility, and keep a phone accessible. Recognise red flags - chest pain, faintness, numbness, sudden breathlessness - stop the practice and follow your emergency protocol. Stay within scope: no diagnosis, no hands-on therapy, no advice on medication. Ensure consent for touch and offer a prop alternative.
Traps
Questions reward warm-up before peak load, balanced sides, and never pushing a student deeper. Beware options that begin a class with the most advanced posture, omit relaxation, or have the teacher demonstrate continuously instead of observing students.
Rule of thumb
Roughly a tenth of class time for warm-up, the bulk for the main practice, a fifth for cool-down, and a real relaxation to finish - and always watch the room, not the mirror.