Yoga is not something that one can be instructed into. It is a state that one may reach with inspiration, insight, dedication, consistency, guidance and purity of heart. Most of the Yoga classes are instruction classes, geared towards pushing, work-out, sweating, achieving, doing, shaping up etc.

Yoga is a state that one may be established in with the right combination of being established in swa-dharma (living a life of righteous action), su-karma (pleasant deeds done with detachment), sankalpa (power of determination along with a sense of sacredness), grace of the inner Guru, guidance of the external Guru (one who has experiential knowledge), abhyasa (constant striving for the state of Yoga) and vairagya (constant and consistent purification by detaching from the sense of "I" as the doer).

As a beginner one may keep the following in mind when leading a yoga class:

• Silencing your own mind: Let your inner silence set the pace of the class. Everything does not need to be vocalized
• Choice of words: Words should be a result of inner commitment to truth. Say it like you mean it. Feel it before you say it. Believe it when you say it. There is a power in your voice and also in the choice of your words. Let your words, thoughts and intentions become one. What you say is what you think is what you feel. This Yoga
• Creativity: Freedom in exploration of techniques is beneficial if it leads to self-inquiry not merely for the sake of fun. Yoga class is not a time for fun, it is time to see who we really are. There is nothing wrong with having fun, it is just that Yoga philosophy is more than that
• Yin and Yang: Let there be strength in your voice along softness in your heart. It is such a powerful combination.
• Doing versus being: Demonstrate if you need to but it is NOT your time to practice. Observe what is it that you cannot communicate with you words, silence and gesturing. Is it clear in your own mind what you want to say?
• Physical adjustment: Is touch becoming an easy filler? Does the action of physical correction pass the 3 part question:
• • Hitam - Is it absolutely necessary?
  • Mitam - How much of it is required?
  • Priaym- Will it add to the pleasantness to the mind of the practitioner (chitta prasadanam)?
• Eyes open or closed: It is good to be contemplative but keeping your eyes closed throughout leading the class takes away the opportunity to observe and re-wise your instructions based on the present moment
• What to teach: Share from your life's experiences. That is the unique gift life has given you.
• How much?: It is not important to teach everything you know in one session but what you share, share it with depth, precision and clarity. Allow everyone to dive in the space you created. Do not rush. It does not serve anyone.
• To teach or not to teach?: Do not teach... share! Teaching comes from a place of authority and only one person can teach Yoga with authority: the one who has become Yoga. The rest of us can share our limited experiences on the path
• Picture perfect: Let Yoga be! It is not meant to be picture perfect. Asana is not an opportunity to look perfect. Instead to look into places where there is disharmony, imbalance and miscommunication. It is an opportunity to listen (shravana), not to talk. When the focus becomes achievement then we miss the goal.
• Teacher or student?: It is a myth that you are the teacher - you are the one learning the most. Stay humble.

||Om Sahnavavtu Sahnau Bhunaktu Saha Viryam Karva Vahaii |

Tejas Vi Na Va Dhitamastu Ma Vidvishavahai ||

Om Shanti Shanti Shanti

May the learned and the leaner both be nourished by the fountain of wisdom

May both the learned and the learner be strengthened by the wisdom

May there never be a conflict among the learned and the learner

Let there be peace Let there be peace Let there be peace

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