Yoga Instructors: 20 Questions For Guiding Your 1:1’s
Here are 20 questions I lean on to navigate through the self-discovery process with my clients, from the initial intake to ongoing sessions and deep dives into their practice:
As a yoga instructor, it's common to feel apprehensive about one-on-one sessions. Many of us, myself included, emerged from our 200-hour teacher trainings with more questions than answers, particularly when it comes to personal instruction. This isn't surprising—these trainings rarely delve into the nuances of guiding a private session. Over my 15-year journey with yoga, one truth has become abundantly clear: the more I learn, the more I realize there's so much I don't know.
The intimate setting of private yoga can be daunting. You're the go-to for any and every question your client might have, from anatomy to philosophy to handling trauma. And what do you do when you're stumped?
It's crucial to remember: you won't have all the answers. Yoga's depth is likely what drew you to it in the first place. Its vastness is endless, and that's the beauty of it. We are seekers by nature, always on the path to the next discovery, never reaching the final revelation.
So take a deep breath with me, and enjoy a big sigh of relief. I’m here to remind you - we’re simply here to GUIDE. Your client will always be the true expert when it comes to their own body, practice, and experience. Period.
So what is the difference between showing up as an expert & guide?
Private yoga is all about dialog and discovery. Guides offers intentional & thoughtful questions that lead our client to their own answers and observations.
As the guide, if you can show up with curiosity, empathy, and the genuine desire to help, you will be create a uniquely valuable experience for your client.
As guides, we offer a framework to help clients gauge their progress, working together to define what improvement looks like and how it's measured.
Guides lead from a few steps ahead, not from the top of the summit. It’s the between being with them on the path, and preaching from above.
Below are 20 questions I lean on to navigate through the self-discovery process with my clients, from the initial intake to ongoing sessions and deep dives into their practice:
My Intake/Initial Session:
What has your yoga journey looked like so far?
Have you had a mindfulness or yoga practice before?
What are your current or past favorite movement or fitness routines?
Describe your typical day's activity.
What's your profession? (This helps gauge their daily movement and stress levels.)
Any past injuries, surgeries, or physical limitations I should know about?
The following questions I like to ask to help both the client & I measure progress from their initial session. It’s important to revisit these questions later down the road. For example, if I have a client booked for a 10-pack, I will more formally re-visit these questions about 4-5 sessions in and I am always referencing to check progress each session.
What is most important to you/where would you like to see overall improvement: mobility, flexibility, general comfort, strength, or stress management?
How would you currently rate the flexibility/strength/balance/stress levels, scale of 1-5?
Where do you generally experience tension or discomfort in the body?
Does one side of the body tend to feel more flexible than the other?
Each session, the needs may shift. Here are questions I use to check in before each ongoing sessions:
How has your week been?
How are you feeling today?
Anything notable since our last session?
Any areas of the body that feel tense or tight?
What focus would best serve you in your session today?
Questions I’ll ask to guide them to discovery in their practice or even in a particular pose. I’ll also use scales to help me measure progress for strength, flexibility, etc. in particular areas they are focused on improving.
How would you rate the flexibility/strength/stability, etc. in your (ex. right knee/shoulder/hip) , scale of 1-5?
How would you rate the intensity (in a pose), scale of 1-5?
What would it feel like to go deeper in the (pose/body part/breath) here?
How does the body responding to (this pose) today?
Where in this pose can you release unnecessary tension or resistance?
This toolkit of questions can boost your confidence in taking on more private clients and fostering their journey of self-discovery. I'm eager to hear how you support your clients or if you have any strategies or questions of your own. For those looking for further guidance or tips in personal yoga instruction, I'm here to help. Just reach out!
Remember, these questions are tools to better understand and serve our clients, encouraging them to observe and uncover insights within their practice. Always maintain clear communication about the boundaries of our expertise, especially when it comes to medical or therapeutic advice. Establishing a network of professionals for referrals is crucial for instances outside our scope as yoga instructors.
Yoga Instructors: Crafting Inclusive Verbal Cues
This one’s for the yoga instructors trying to make their classes and private offerings the most inclusive for all different bodies. Here I’m going to break down some tips specific for your verbal cues.
Let's delve into the nuances of making our yoga classes not just physically accessible but also linguistically inclusive.
The language we choose has a profound impact on our students' experiences. Here's how we can fine-tune our cues to create an environment that speaks to the diversity in our yoga community:
Avoid Assumptions:
When cueing poses, steer clear of assumptions about your students' abilities or limitations. Instead of phrases like "if you can't do this," offer variations with affirming language such as "for those exploring a different expression." This ensures that everyone feels acknowledged, regardless of their physical capabilities.
Body-Positive Affirmations:
Integrate body-positive affirmations into your language. Celebrate the uniqueness of each body and refrain from using terms that may inadvertently reinforce societal stereotypes. Encourage self-love and acceptance by choosing words that uplift rather than conform.
Non-Judgmental Observation:
Foster a non-judgmental atmosphere by using observational cues. For instance, instead of instructing a correction, try saying, "Notice how your body feels in this pose; make adjustments if needed." This approach encourages self-awareness and autonomy in the practice.
Inclusive Language for Breath:
When guiding breath work, be mindful of language that accommodates diverse respiratory capacities. Instead of emphasizing a deep inhale, invite students to take a breath that feels comfortable for them. This small adjustment ensures that individuals with various respiratory conditions feel included and supported.
Trauma-Informed Communication:
Acknowledge the potential impact of trauma and create a safe space through trauma-informed language. Avoid invasive directives and provide choices. For instance, use phrases like "you might choose to" rather than "you must."
Affirmative Encouragement:
Replace potentially discouraging language with affirmative encouragement. For instance, instead of saying "if you can't reach your toes," encourage students with "reach towards your toes or wherever is accessible for you." This empowers students to focus on their unique journey.
Cultivate Mindful Presence:
Be present and attentive to the energy your words convey. Consider the tone, pitch, and pacing of your speech. A calm and reassuring voice can create a comforting atmosphere, making the practice more inviting for everyone.
Educational Endeavors:
Keep educating yourself on various body types, abilities, and conditions. Attend workshops, read, and seek knowledge to deepen your understanding. An informed teacher is an empowered teacher.
Open Channels of Communication:
Encourage open communication with your students. Let them know you are there to support them in their practice. Create a space where questions, concerns, and feedback are not only welcomed but appreciated.
Remember, the language we use is a powerful tool in shaping the yoga experience for our students. Let's continue to refine our cues to reflect the inclusivity and respect that lies at the heart of yoga.
🫶🏼
-SP
Embracing a “Do The Scary Thing” Mindset
As we venture into the second half of 2023, I’ve been taking time to reflect on the intentions and values I set for myself back in January. This year has been a whirlwind of change, both in my personal and professional life. In the beginning of this year, I set an intention to embrace a "do the scary thing" mindset. I made a list of all the things that I could do this year to get me closer towards the vision I had for my life - specifically the things that felt even just a little scary. I’m not talking about thrill seeking. Sky diving was not on the list for 2023. This is all about ego and that comfort zone we create to protect it.
At the beginning of the year, I was facing the reality of being jobless for the first time as an adult. I’d spent two years avoiding a decision to pursue teaching yoga full time, and here I was in a situation where it was about to be decided for me - law of the universe? It was time to explore what more was possible for me if I refused to allow fear or limiting beliefs dictate my life choices. This journey has meant confronting significant challenges. It involved leaving behind a comfortable yet unfulfilling career to pave the path for my own business venture. It also meant stepping out of my comfort zone and putting myself out there in a new and vulnerable way.
As it turns out, if you want to have an impact as a teacher, you can't shy away from self-promotion – a daunting task for me. In the beginning, even using the term "brand" for my offerings made me cringe. I had to do some work around where that discomfort was coming from – some limiting beliefs suggesting that what I had to offer was not “brand-worthy.” So it took sitting down with my thoughts, doing the inquiry and recognizing each time I was feeling the fear or discomfort, it came with this underlying message of being “not enough, flawed, lacking”.
Realization hit, this is years of my life that I spent playing small while these limiting beliefs were driving all my decisions, and without my awareness. So what would happen if I let go of these beliefs? Would there still be fear or doubt? Fast forward through six months of crossing out items on the scary list: It’s a work in progress, but the sticky thoughts no longer go unchecked. Without labeling the thought as good or bad, simply as a belief to be examined. At the very least I recognize a limiting thought as it arrises.
This is a process of mindfulness – observing without judgment – allowing us to identify and overcome our self-made barriers, enabling us to move past fear. Armed with self-awareness, we can identify when limiting beliefs resurface, and confront them head-on. Each time, we take on the scary challenges with newfound ease and confidence.
Doing the scary things this year, I've witnessed the beliefs about what's possible for myself expand well beyond expectations. Embracing transitions is one small example. Despite the initial fear and discomfort, each new challenge ignites a path of self-discovery and growth that would have otherwise remained undiscovered.
In my experiences with you through this blog, I want you to know that there is so opportunity for growth beyond your yoga mat – limitless possibilities that we often overlook. Our beliefs shape what we can achieve. When we challenge and change those beliefs through mindfulness, we begin to shape our future according to our dreams.
I'm thrilled to bring you along on this journey and share these not-so-secret sauce method through yoga, 1:1 mindfulness coaching, and more. Let's embrace the scary, break free from our self-imposed limitations, and pave the way for an empowered and fulfilling future together.
Embracing Mindfulness: Transforming Your Daily Practice
The real work begins off the mat…
In this fast-paced and ever-changing world, finding moments of tranquility and peace can be a challenge. Our lives are filled with endless to-do lists, constant notifications, and an overwhelming amount of information. It's easy to get caught up in the chaos, losing sight of what truly matters. Your physical yoga practice will only take you so far. This is where mindfulness comes in—a simple yet powerful practice that can transform our daily lives and bring us back to the present moment.
So what is mindfulness? At its core, mindfulness is the art of being fully present and engaged in the present moment, without judgment. It involves intentionally bringing your attention to the here and now, tuning in to your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations. By practicing mindfulness, we cultivate a sense of awareness and open ourselves up to a world of benefits.
Incorporating mindfulness into your daily practice can have a profound impact on your overall well-being. Here are just a few reasons to embrace mindfulness:
Reduced Stress and Anxiety: Mindfulness allows us to step away from the whirlwind of worries and anxieties that often consume our minds. By observing our thoughts without judgment, we create distance and gain a greater perspective. This helps us to manage stress more effectively, promoting a sense of calm and tranquility.
Improved Focus and Clarity: In a world full of distractions, cultivating focus has become a precious skill. Mindfulness practice trains our minds to stay present and focused on the task at hand. As we become more attuned to the present moment, our concentration deepens, leading to enhanced clarity and decision-making abilities.
Enhanced Emotional Well-being: Mindfulness invites us to embrace our emotions with compassion and non-reactivity. By acknowledging and accepting our feelings, we create space for self-reflection and understanding. This self-awareness enables us to respond to challenging situations in a more thoughtful and constructive manner, fostering emotional resilience.
Improved Relationships: Mindfulness not only transforms our inner world but also impacts our interactions with others. When we practice being present, we become better listeners, empathetic communicators, and more compassionate beings. By fully engaging with those around us, we cultivate deeper connections and foster harmonious relationships.
Increased Self-compassion: Mindfulness encourages us to treat ourselves with kindness and compassion. Through self-observation, we become aware of our inner critic and learn to cultivate self-acceptance and self-love. By embracing our imperfections and nurturing a positive self-image, we can experience profound personal growth and greater self-fulfillment.
Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine doesn't have to be complicated. Here are a few simple practices you can try:
Mindful Breathing: Your breath is direct and immediate access to the present moment. Take a few moments throughout each day to focus on your breath. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and notice the sensation of the air entering and leaving your body. Observe the qualities of your own breath. Notice if the air is cool or warm. Notice if your chest is tight or expansive. Is the breath deep or shallow. Immerse yourself in the experience and awareness of your breathe any time you need to recenter and reconnect.
Body Scan: Close your eyes and scan your body from head to toe, paying attention to any areas of tension or discomfort. As you bring awareness to each part of your body, consciously release any tension you encounter, promoting relaxation and physical well-being.
Gratitude Practice: Take a few moments each day to reflect on the things you're grateful for. It could be as simple as a warm cup of tea, the cool breath after a sweaty yoga practice, or the love and support from those who care for you.
Consider Working With a Coach:Mindfulness, as simple as it is in theory, can be challenging in practice, especially when it’s new. Through the Mindfulness Coaching membership program, I work individually with clients to provide proven tools for upgrading emotional wellbeing, removing the mental clutter, and activating the potential that is already within. As a coach, my role is to guide you through systematic approach for incorporating mindfulness into your daily life, relationships, self talk and even world perspectives. Working 1:1 with a coach allows you to dig deeper, gain new perspective, and be supported throughout your process. Within a safe container we identify and reframe the limiting beliefs that have stood between you and the life you truly desire.
To learn more about membership programs click here!