I have no idea how many yoga classes I've attended over the last 19 years. I do know there are some stick out more than others. Sometimes for a great reason and sometimes because well, I didn't enjoy them! Teaching yoga is more than leading students through a series of poses. It’s about creating an experience that lingers far beyond the mat. A truly transformational yoga class invites students to connect deeply with their breath, body, and mind, offering them a space to grow, heal, and explore. These are the classes I love to attend. These are the classes I aspire to teach.
So, how do you craft a class that resonates on this level? It starts with you showing up as your authentic, amazing self. It includes intentional sequencing, mindful cueing, thoughtful adjustments, and a deep understanding of the energy you bring into the room. It ends with keeping the students safe and giving them an experience to impact and enrich their life.
Let’s dive into the elements that turn a yoga class into a powerful journey and can help yoga teachers at any level create something special their students will remember.
Start with your intention: Before stepping into the studio or pressing “start” on a virtual class, take a moment to set an intention for what you want students to experience. A strong class theme creates cohesion, helping students feel connected to their practice on a deeper level.
What do you want my students to feel by the end of class?
It could be groundedness, strength, openness, or clarity. Let this intention guide your sequencing, breathwork, and even the words you choose throughout class.
Open class with a question or reflection that aligns with your theme—something students can carry with them beyond the practice.
Seamless sequencing: A well-sequenced class flows effortlessly, preparing the body physically and energetically for peak poses or deeper moments of stillness.
Warm-Up: Start with gentle movements that awaken the body and connect students to their breath. Think cat-cow, gentle twists, or slow sun salutations.
Build Up: Layer poses with intention, creating a progressive journey toward a peak moment. Maybe a strong balance pose, an energizing backbend, or an arm balance. Also - a peak pose doesn't have to be a hard post! It could be a deeply restorative twist, stretch or any other shape.
Cool Down: Ease students out of intensity with slower, grounding postures that bring them back to their breath.
Instead of simply thinking about what poses to teach, consider why each pose belongs in the sequence. Every posture should serve a purpose.
Cueing with clarity and presence: The way you cue shapes the student’s experience. Precise, intentional cueing helps students feel safe, confident, and immersed in their practice.
Less is more: Avoid overloading students with excessive alignment details. Instead, offer simple, direct cues that allow them to feel the pose rather than overthink it.
Speak to sensations, not just asanas: Instead of saying, “square your hips,” try, “feel both sides of your waist lengthen evenly.”
Create space for silence: Sometimes, the most powerful moments come when we say less and allow students to explore.
Use imagery and metaphors to guide students. A simple shift from “lift your chest” to “imagine a string drawing your heart upward” can change the way they experience a pose. I also love using imagery of the place we are in - for instance when I'm teaching in Costa Rica I may say swing your head like a coconut in rag doll or grow like palm in tree pose.
Verbal and hands-on adjustments: Adjustments should always feel supportive, never forceful. Whether offering hands-on assists or verbal refinements, the goal is to help students find greater ease or stability in their poses.
Start with observation: Before adjusting, watch how the student moves. Where is there tension or misalignment?
Offer choices: Not every student is comfortable with touch. Always ask before offering a hands-on assist. All the studio classes have consent to touch cards. When I lead a retreat, I bring my own to make sure students feel comfortable and in control with adjustments.
Empower, don’t scold: Instead of “fixing” a pose, guide students toward a deeper understanding of their own alignment and sensation.
Remind students that poses and ways to explore them deeper are an invitation. And they are always the ones in control.
Create immersive experiences: Beyond the physical, a truly transformational yoga class engages all the senses. Breath, sound, energy, and space.
Breath awareness: Guide students to sync movement with breath, creating a rhythmic, meditative flow.
Music and silence: Choose music that enhances (not overpowers) the practice, and don’t be afraid to embrace moments of quiet.
Closing with intention: Seal the practice with words that resonate. Whether it’s a simple gratitude offering or a reminder to carry their practice into daily life.
Invite students to reflect after class, and not rush onto what is next. This could be a brief conversation, journaling, or simply sitting in stillness for a few extra breaths.
Find your signature teaching style. The most memorable teachers aren’t just skilled in sequencing or alignment. They teach from an authentic place. They blend the head and the heart.
What are your strengths? Are you great at storytelling, anatomy, or philosophy?
What lights you up as a teacher? Passion is contagious. When you love what you teach, your students feel it.
Stay curious: Keep learning, evolving, and refining your approach.
No two yoga teachers are the same, and that’s the beauty of it. When you teach from a place of authenticity and presence, you create the space for transformation. Both for your students and yourself. A yoga class is so much more than poses. It’s about how you make your students feel, what they take with them, and how they connect to themselves in a deeper way.
Would you like to connect with other yoga teachers to create meaningful yoga classes, workshops, and retreats? All while building confidence and tapping into your authentic teacher voice in a supportive setting? Join me and other teachers in the next 6-week online cohort of Expand Your Yoga Teacher Presence. See the full details here or email me at amy@intheyogaflow.com.
