Principles of Teaching

Question 1

Optimal alignment

Answer 1

Student’s ideal embodiment of a pose in this particular moment

Question 2

Path of least resistance

Answer 2

Habitual compensations and movement patterns that we we have developed over time. When practicing yoga asana, body will always try to take this path

Question 3

Skeletal variation

Answer 3

Our bodies are naturally diverse. Variations in bone and joint shapes will lead to varying optimal expressions of an asana

Question 3

Skeletal variation

Answer 3

Our bodies are naturally diverse. Variations in bone and joint shapes will lead to varying optimal expressions of an asana

Question 4

Best practice

Answer 4

Using cues to adress the majority of students in the class while doing our best to give individualised instruction where needed

Question 5

Stability and mobility

Answer 5

Inverse relationship between the two. When one increases, as a general rule the other one will decrease

Question 6

Position

Answer 6

How body parts are placed in space.
The first step while cueing a pose, starting with the foundation and working up through the bodyparts

Question 7

Action

Answer 7

The muscular engagement and intelligence that brings a pose to life.

Simple action: a unidirectional action that cannot be overdone
Paired action: An action that requires opposite forces to work in pairs for optimal alignment
Universal action: action that can be taught in every yoga pose for optimal alignment. Tadasana is the “blueprint” for all the poses thus one should try to find the actions of tadasana in every single pose
Balanced action: The state of balance, optimal strength and ease that is created when paired actions work effectively together to create optimal alignment