importance of teaching method in yoga classes

1. Introduction
Yoga is getting much more popularity not only in India but also in abroad. It has come into the realm of Education. Then there should be a capable teacher in Yoga too.
Therefore, a systematic method should be available to teach the yoga practices2. What is method then? This could be defined, as “It is the process or technique adopted by a teacher to bring about a desired change”. And the means the teacher uses to organize and guide learning experiences are called teaching method.
Teaching is a specialized subject.
More so, when one goes to teach yoga practices, it is very essential that a yoga teacher should know the technique and art of teaching.
Till then there was no methodology of teaching available in the field of Yoga practices. The only book of its kind developed was teaching methods for Yogic Practices which may not be available to every student of yoga.
Therefore, it was necessary to write an article, which can guide yoga students as well as the expected teachers in the field of Yoga.

1. TREND OF TEACHING

2. 1. Introduction Yoga is getting much more popularity not only in India but also in abroad. It has come into the realm of Education. Then there should be a capable teacher in Yoga too. Therefore, a systematic method should be available to teach the yoga practices 2 . What is method then? This could be defined, as “It is the process or technique adopted by a teacher to bring about a desired change”. And the means the teacher uses to organize and guide learning experiences are called teaching method. Teaching is a specialized subject. More so, when one goes to teach yoga practices, it is very essential that a yoga teacher should know the technique and art of teaching. Till then there was no methodology of teaching available in the field of Yoga practices. The only book of its kind developed was teaching methods for Yogic Practices which may not be available to every student of yoga. Therefore, it was necessary to write an article, which can guide yoga students as well as the expected teachers in the field of Yoga.

3. 1.1. Trend of Teaching Time is changed. Every subject has become specialized one. The need of the day is different. The old process of teaching cannot work. Therefore, group practice teaching has come into existence. It we go on surveying, we will find that teaching is a two way process where involvement of teacher as well as student is required fully. It is customary to say that teaching is an art as well as a science. When we say teaching is an art it means that it cannot be reduced to a formula. A teacher should be aware of the factors that affect both the learner and the environment for learning and thereby modifying his method of teaching according to the needs, interest and capacity. Therefore, the way of explanation or approach to a particular problem or a subject is the art of teaching. A subject matter can be explained in various ways through various means to bring back home the point clearly to the varying level of students’ understanding. As a science teaching is the logical and systematic arrangement of the subject matter to be taught.

4. There are certain accepted principles based on observation. It differs in the sense that the rule of science is not theoretical. It is much more pragmatic better to say practical in nature. It is also said that teachers are born and not made. However, not everybody is a born teacher. Therefore, certain practice in teaching is required on the part of the expected teachers. It is also said, “Nothing can be taught, and everything is learnt by the student”. Then what does the teacher do? He takes the students and puts them on the right track. He tells about certain “Dos” and “Don’ts”. He is a guide, a friend and a philosopher. But ultimately, it is the student who has to learn the lessons. 1.2. Methodology Methodology is the pattern of teaching. It is the technique adopted by the teacher to bring about a desired change so as to get the best results. Method is the systematic approach to the subject matter, to be able to impart maximum in the minimum time

5. It is to be studied, understood and applied rather than learned, remembered and applied. Since teaching represents an interwoven human enterprise, he teacher cannot rely upon a collection of mechanical techniques. No simple formula exists for selecting the best method. Principal is defined as it is the fundamental believes based on reasoning and fact. They help in doing the activities with ease and comfort. 1.3. Need of Yoga Teaching Method Modern trend is to introduce yogic practices in the educational curriculum with the class-wise syllabi. As it is becoming the teaching subject, there is a need to have trained teachers to teach the class effectively. We know that educational process involves teaching and learning. Therefore, there is an urgent need to have properly oriented teachers in the field of education. Yoga is no exception to this. A would be teacher must be well versed with the art and science of teaching as applied to this branch of education. Generally, it is known as the methodology of teaching. The artistic part of teaching can be tackled by various means to bring home the points clearly at varying levels of understanding of the students.

6. The scientific aspect is to put that theoretical part into practice. If a teacher does not know the “what” and “how” about the subject matter he or she will be an unsuccessful teacher. Excellent learning takes place where there is a joint venture of the teacher and the taught since education itself is a bilateral process. If one were to retrospect the pattern of teaching of good old days, one would see a different picture. A selected few Shishyas (students) used an approach Guru (teacher), and that teaching was mostly individual and oral. Now the education is much changed due to the changed socioeconomic and cultural pattern. Yogasanas being entirely a new subject to is taught that there is an extreme paucity of well-trained yoga teachers to cater the needs of large population. A single yoga teacher, therefore, has to look after a number of students. Since, all yogic asanas are essentially individualistic in nature; it is difficult, again, to pay individual attention to every student. Even if a Yoga teacher spends to teach all the day twenty-four hours even will not be sufficient. Therefore, group practice teaching comes as the need of the day. One is required to follow some method to handle the class in effective way.

7. Although it is the student who has to learn ultimately, yet the teacher has to organize and conduct the class in the best way through his/her past experience so as to avoid difficulties in learning. This organization of class in the case of Yoga could be of two types, (a) academic type of learning and (b) physical learning i.e. learning through body. Here, one school of Yoga, which is akin to physical learning, is Hatha yogic with many practices where the education takes place through body at the primary stage. One must keep in mind that skill learning is associated not only. With physical education activities but also with yogasana . In learning a skill (motor activity), both physical (muscular) and mental (nervous) aspects are involved or in other words, neuro-muscular system is involved. Hence, one as a yoga teacher should pay attention how to prepare the students in this activity

8. It is true that some persons are born teachers. But many skills of teaching can be acquired through proper training and practice. Time is changed. It is the era of specialization. And to have specialized knowledge one needs to prepare oneself with the current techniques available in teaching field so as to handle the class harmoniously and effectively. Teachers without method will be like a ship without rudder, a house without caretaker. Therefore, a person who has undertaken the responsibility of teaching Yogasanas may do well to keep the following points in mind. He should study the subject matter in depth. Should cultivate clear and modulated voice. Should study the language of presentation sufficiently well with correct information. Should cultivate broad-mindedness. Should cultivate good yogic manners. Prepare one’s yogic lesson plan to suit the ages, sex and temperament etc. of the yoga students.

9. 1.4. Importance of Teaching Method: Systematic Method of teaching helps the learner to learn the lessons effectively with less time and energy expenditure. The method makes the lesson easier and interesting and produces better environment to facilitate learning. It works as guideline and the desired result is achieved. It makes the learning impressive and the teacher gets better control over the class. The students learn the lesson skillfully. The teacher does not go out of the subject matter. It helps the teacher to finish his teaching in time.