Teaching Hatha Yoga - Student Retention Tips

What separates successful Yoga teachers from the rest? Yoga studios and ashrams are founded on a core of students who keep coming back to classes. We often refer to this as "student retention." Let's look at some methods to keep your students coming back for more Yoga classes.

Learn new techniques and integrate them into your Yoga classes. Many Yoga teachers think about changing asana sequencing to spice up their classes. You should also teach your students more Pranayama and meditation techniques. The eight limbs of Yoga, described by Patanjali, should all be covered in your classes, so that your students are familiar with the many aspects of Yoga.

Observe and develop empathy for your students. Some Yoga teachers still have issues with the use of props. In truth, we are all aging at this moment. A Yoga teacher, who cannot teach the elderly, the handicapped, or any student with limited range of motion, is also handicapped.

If Yoga teachers require students to be elite athletes, they should be coaching Olympic gymnasts. Coaching Olympians is a noble profession and worthy of note, but it has nothing to do with teaching Yoga to the average person, who wants to learn Yoga.

There is a huge population that attends Yoga for stress and anxiety. The Yoga teacher, without compassion, is not helping anyone by barking out commands in a "Brutal Boot Camp Yoga Class." Some students do want these Yoga classes. However, these classes should be clearly labeled for new Yoga students and the unsuspecting public, who want to attend for the purpose of managing stress.

© Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. riyoga.com riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html