How to keep your yoga classes fresh and exciting 

How to keep your yoga classes fresh and exciting 

Teaching yoga can be enjoyable and inspiring, but after doing it for a while, you might feel that your classes have become monotonous, particularly if you teach regularly. If you’ve started to feel like you're teaching the same thing over and over again you'll want to continue reading this blog.

In addition, if you are currently studying a yoga teacher training and feel overwhelmed by sequencing in general, we've got you covered too. 

Different ways to sequence 

During a 200-hour yoga teacher training course, you will learn the fundamentals of sequencing. You'll probably cover simpler ways like 'peak pose sequencing'. This is where you will guide your students through a series of postures to warm and open up the body in preparation for a more demanding posture like dancer's pose. Another common way of sequencing a yoga class is by targeting a particular body part like the shoulders or hips or core. The whole sequence will be centred around a particular body part (or multiple). 

It's important to say at this point that there are so many more ways to sequence your classes especially if you want to keep your yoga classes fresh and exciting. These styles can be taught as alternative styles by themselves or combined with peak pose sequencing or body part theming. 

Who made the rules, right? Here are a few more. 

Block Flow 

The block flow sequencing style involves repeating the same sequence of standing poses two or three times and is considered one of the easiest sequencing styles to teach.

During the first round of standing postures, you will perform 6 to 8 postures. Hold each posture for 3 to 5 breaths. In the second round, you will repeat the same sequence, but this time with breath to movement. The second round is more dynamic and flowy because students already know what to expect (hopefully).

A third round is optional and time-dependent. In this third round you can repeat the pattern of linking your breath to movement, but this time includes some more difficult poses towards the end. Hold each of these new postures for 3 to 5 breaths.

Ladder Flows 

Teaching the same sequence and gradually adding a new posture each time is a simple way to create a powerful and energetic vinyasa flow or power yoga class. This style works especially well for classes that involve standing sequences. 

To begin, practice a simple series of 4 postures. Hold each posture for 3 to 5 breaths. The postures can include warrior 2, extended side angle, reverse warrior 2 and reverse triangle for example. After practising this sequence, repeat it at a slightly faster pace and add another posture to the end, such as a half-moon. Maybe instruct a vinyasa in between (plank, chaturanga, updog and downdog). 

You can repeat the sequence up to three times and add a new pose at the end of each round to make it more challenging. By doing so, you can gradually build up to the most difficult poses. During the final round, you should have a total of 6 to 8 postures.

There are so many more ways to sequence too. It's easy when you know how.  

We are hosting an online creative sequencing webinar Saturday 27th of May 10am - 12.30 pm (via Zoom). To learn more about how to easily sequence fresh and exciting yoga classes, email info@yogacourse.com or whatsapp 07879 118 582 to book a space. 

Still lacking inspiration?

To overcome a lack of inspiration while planning classes, attending practice sessions with other teachers can help reignite your creativity. It's easy to forget the unique styles of every teacher, and trying a class with a new teacher can introduce you to new transitions and movements that never crossed your mind before. Our way of thinking is often limited. Attending classes with other teachers can offer new perspectives on teaching poses like Warrior 2 and Triangle, even if you feel like you've taught them in every possible way. You don't need to copy another teacher's class entirely, but instead, take inspiration from their style and adapt it to your own teachings.

We would love to see you in our online creative sequencing webinar. 

To book on email info@yogacourse.com or whatsapp 07879 118 582.