The document outlines a general approach for teaching any yoga practice in 3 steps: 1) Provide context by explaining the meaning, cultural and spiritual aspects of the practice. 2) Describe the technical details of how to perform the practice, common mistakes, benefits and contraindications with scriptural and scientific references. 3) Explain the importance of relaxation after the practice to maximize benefits.

1. A GENERAL APPROACH TO
TEACHING
ANY YOGA PRACTICE
Dr Ananda Balayogi Bhavanani
PYA Workshop on Teaching methods 2009

2. • Start with the name of the practice.
• Describe the meaning and associated
cultural and Yogic aspects of the
practice.
• E.g. Vashistasana would lead to a
description of the great Sapta Rishi and
his Tapasya etc

3. • Explain what type of practice it is
– Asana
– Pranayama
– Mudra etc
• What is its place in the Yogic scheme of
practices

4. • What is the classification and sub
classification?
– type of Asana - cultural, meditative or
relaxative posture
– type of Pranayama - cooling, heating
– type of Mudra -Hastha, Pada, Kaya etc.

5. • How to do the practice?
• Give a step-by-step explanation and
demonstration with emphasis on the
breath patterns to be adopted in the
postures, timings to be followed in the
breathing cycles of Pranayama etc

6. • Be clear about what should not be done
when attempting the practice.
• A step-by-step correction of the students
mistakes with demonstration of the
common mistakes is essential

7. • Describe the benefits of the practice
– use both the scientific
– as well as the scriptural references to
substantiate your statements.

8. • Give clear statements regarding the
contraindications to the practice.
• Try to use both the scientific as well as
scriptural references to substantiate your
statements.

9. • Describe the salient features of the
practice with appropriate scientific and
scriptural references.
• Give specific instructions about the
complementary practices with adequate
references where necessary.

10. • Give detailed instructions about the
relaxation to be done following the
practice
• Emphasize the importance of the period
of relaxation that maximizes the benefits
of the practice.

11. Thank You