In the 1890s, Swami Vivekananda was the first yogi to tour the
Americas and Europe. The free-loving 1960s ushered in renewed interest
in the ancient Indian practice, and Dean Ornish, in the 1980s,
popularized the healthy yoga movement. Today, yoga has arrived as a
standard offering at most gyms, health spas and even cruises!
Yet,
as instructors, we know that life is largely about balance. While yoga
may have officially arrived on the exercise scene, its increased
popularity can sometimes present a problem for yogis and yoginis who
take a more spiritual approach to practice; because let's face it, not
everybody wants to be bothered with ancient Indian religions.
Many
folks would rather just focus on fitness. And that's all right! After
all, one of the essential aspects of yoga is seva - or service - and as
evangelists for yoga, part of our job is listening to what students want
and servicing their needs to the best of our ability.
Below are a few quick tips for yoga teachers about how to promote and fill a fitness-focused yoga class.
Visit the Other Side of the Yogic Fence
Do
you teach a physically challenging yoga style? Do you know the
ins-and-outs of Bikram and Vinyasa yoga? How about Ashtanga - or
"power"-yoga? If not, get to class yourself and start learning from a
competent fitness yoga teacher. Power yoga teacher training may be the
answer. Today's yoga-as-exercise enthusiasts tend towards the
sweat-inducing, quick-moving styles, so study up! Teaching a different
style of yoga is a challenge, but you can do it.
Prepare Fitness Yoga Handouts
Once
you have mastered a routine and feel comfortable with a gym-friendly
school of yoga practice and land yourself a job teaching class, it's
time to do some homework. Gather information about yoga's health
benefits and make hand-outs for after class. In can be a one page sheet
and most gyms will have a photocopier available for use. Not only will
it give your students a broader picture of yoga's fitness benefits, but
it's also a way to stand out in the yoga-teaching pack. There may be
dozens of instructors at your gym; if you can think of novel ways to
connect with members, your attendance will skyrocket.
Sideline the Sanskrit
The
gym is where most people first "give yoga a try" - which makes you a
defacto yoga ambassador. And an ambassador's first job is to make others
feel welcome. So remember, Sanskrit can be off-putting to beginners.
Hey, you're already asking them to pose and move in "weird" ways, leave
the ancient language in the locker-room - at least for intro level
classes. As your yoga students advance in level, so will their knowledge
of the ancient aspects of practice.
