Ideas for Developing a Teaching Philosophy

The following exercises and questions will help you articulate your teaching goals and values, by reflecting on your experiences with yoga in and out of the classroom. Spend time with each set of questions; writing out your thoughts will be more effective than simply reading this list of questions. When you are through, read back over your responses and look for common themes. You can then translate these themes into a practical written statement of teaching philosophy.

1. Recall a favorite teacher. What made this teacher so special? What was your experience like in this teacher’s class?

2. We are all products of our experiences - including our past teachers, our training, and our broader life experiences. Which teachers have influenced you the most? How is your teaching similar to theirs, and what distinguishes your teaching from theirs? What life experiences have influenced you the most? How have those experiences shaped your approach to yoga and teaching?

3. What experience do you want your students to have in your class? Do you see yourself as providing a context for self-observation and awakening? Do you want to give your students an opportunity to challenge themselves and explore their physical and mental edges? Do you want your class to be the safe sanctuary for students seeking peace of mind and physical relaxation? Do you want them to leave class feeling exhausted, inspired, invigorated, relaxed, contemplative, joyful? What kind of practice provides you with the kind of experience you want to create for others? What kind of environment/atmosphere provides you with the kind of experience you want to create for others?

4. What is the most positive relationship you can imagine having with a yoga student? What impact do you wish to have on your students? Do you see yourself as a guide, a leader, a peer, a friend, a counselor, a motivator, or an authority figure? Do you prefer keeping some distance from your students, to create a very formal student-teacher relationship? Or do you enjoy learning more about your students' lives and getting to know them well over time?

5.Which of the following do you value most in a teacher?

    Experience and Wisdom

    Kindness

    A Sense of Humor

    Patience

    Ability to Motivate and Inspire

    "Tough Love" (Challenging)

    Philosophical Grounding of Asana Practice

    Knowledgability, Expertise, and Training

    Creativity

    Routine/Familiarity

    Skillful Touch/Adjustments

    Ability to Create a Peaceful Atmosphere

    Enthusiasm

    Precision

6. Do you see those qualities reflected in your own approach to teaching? Can you more consciously cultivate the qualities you value most? Choose one quality, and think about a teacher you've had who demonstrated that quality. How can you develop this quality in your own teaching?

7. Imagine that a raw beginner approaches you after class, glowing with enthusiasm and sweat, and asks you the following three questions. How would you respond?

"If I can only practice ten minutes every day, what should I do?"

"Why do you practice yoga?"

"What can I expect from a serious yoga practice?"

8. What have you learned from your yoga practice, that you most want to share with others? What parts of your practice, or approaches to the practice, generated those insights? Can you shape your teaching around those practices, approaches, and insights?

Thanks to author Kelly McGonigal,  Ph.D. who writes about yoga, does yoga reasearch and teaches yoga students and yoga teachers. She is Editor-in-Chief of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy, the only scientific and professional journal dedicated to yoga as a healing practice, and Yoga Therapy in Practice, a new magazine for yoga professionals. We are honored to have her writing appear at Yoga.com. See her website http://www.openmindbody.com .

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Copyright Kelly McGonigal