principles of asana demonstration-Positioning and Demonstration

Principles of asana demonstration
a) Positioning and Demonstration
Earlier in this chapter we discussed how to begin your class, including where to position yourself in the room when demonstrating asanas. Demonstration is a very important part of the instructional and learning process, particularly for your more visually oriented students. There are two basic types of demonstration:
b) In-the-flow demonstration
Here you or an assistant will model what you are instructing as you are saying it, giving students a live example of what you are asking them to do as they are doing it. Ideally, you will mirror the class, facing them from a place where they all see you and vice versa, then demonstrating as if they are looking into a mirror (i.e., your left foot turns out when you say, "Please turn your right foot out."). This is an essential skill for all flow-type classes and one that is useful in all styles of Hatha yoga, allowing your students to see what you are asking them to do without interrupting their practice.

1. PRINCIPLES OF ASANA DEMONSTRATION

2. 16. Principles of asana demonstration a) Positioning and Demonstration Earlier in this chapter we discussed how to begin your class, including where to position yourself in the room when demonstrating asanas. Demonstration is a very important part of the instructional and learning process, particularly for your more visually oriented students. There are two basic types of demonstration: b) In-the-flow demonstration Here you or an assistant will model what you are instructing as you are saying it, giving students a live example of what you are asking them to do as they are doing it. Ideally, you will mirror the class, facing them from a place where they all see you and vice versa, then demonstrating as if they are looking into a mirror (i.e., your left foot turns out when you say, "Please turn your right foot out."). This is an essential skill for all flow-type classes and one that is useful in all styles of Hatha yoga, allowing your students to see what you are asking them to do without interrupting their practice.

3. c) Gather-around demonstration Here you pause the flow of the class and ask students to gather around you or an assistant to observe an asana. This allows you to provide more detailed instruction and demonstration while students can more closely observe the various elements of an asana as you demonstrate and explain it to the class. Generally, do in-the-flow demonstrations to cue the initial movement visually into each asana throughout the class. Depending on the nature of the class-primarily the steadiness of the flow and the students' level of proficiency with the asanas-you can devote more or less time to this initial visual cue. With more beginning classes that move more slowly, give slower demonstrations that more fully highlight the alignment and risk-reduction elements of the asana, even when in the flow of the practice. With more advanced classes, you might give the visual demonstration in the span of a single breath, instructing the class to stay with the asana as you begin to move around and observe students in their practice.

4. Try positioning yourself where everyone can most easily see you, initially on your mat, but throughout the class wherever your visual line with the most students is most open (see Chapter Five for a discussion of space and positioning). From the first asana, demonstrate exactly what you are asking your class to do. For example, say, "Stepping your feet together at the front of your mat, please draw your palms together at your heart." While saying these words, do exactly that in a slightly dramatic fashion that captures the students' attention and effectively conveys what you are asking them to do, matching verbal cues with your physical movements. As the class progresses into more complex asanas, continue to show how to move into each asana, emphasizing how the breath initiates and guides the movement of the body. While workshops are the likeliest place you will give elaborate gather-around demonstrations, it benefits students when you pause the flow from time to time to focus on a single asana or small number of linked asanas. When using the gather-around method, do the following:

5. Position yourself in the middle of the room, and ask everyone to gather in to see you. Encourage the class to move around during the demonstration so that they can observe from different vantage points. Explain what you are about to do, and very briefly demonstrate the final pose or the short sequence while explaining what you are doing and noting any significant risks. For example, if demonstrating Bakasana (Crane Pose) from Sirsasana II (Tripod Headstand), come to all fours (discuss the wrists), place your head down on the floor (discuss placement and alignment of the head, neck, and shoulders), slide your feet in (discuss changes in the foundation and spine), extend your legs overhead into Sirsasana II (offer alternatives, including one leg, bent knees, both legs together), draw your knees to your shoulders (address core and lower back), elevate into Bakasana (highlight shifting the weight, pada bandha, and mula bandha), release your head back to the floor (reiterate neck alignment), return to Sirsasana II (address lower back and neck), and return to all fours or Balasana (Child's Pose).

6. Repeat the same demonstration, this time pausing stage by stage to explain in detail the alignment, energetic actions, modifications, variations, and use of props for the asana. Speak as clearly as you can, staying with the essentials of the asana(s) and giving only three or four main points for each. Be particularly clear about the gradual and successive movements of the body while transitioning into the asana, holding it and transitioning out (all are addressed below). After the demonstration, ask for questions. Ask the students if anything was unclear to them. Further prompt questions by asking about specific aspects of the asana, including transitions in and out. When students return to their mats, guide them through the same sequence of steps while moving around the room to offer individualized guidance and support.