VISUALLY

VISUAL CUES & MIRRORING

Visual cues, (where you perform observable, dynamic actions), aid verbal cues, helping bring more clarity to what you are asking the student to do. They are very useful for those that learn best via seeing. Stand clearly visible, select good viewing angles/ mirror and keep uniformity between words and body.

Visual cues also encourage and motivate the student. People tend to copy exactly what you do, so if you're intention for the student is to build strength so you throw in some press ups (4 Limbed Staff Pose - Plank) if you decide to do them on the knees, its likely the students will also. Give the students options verbally if required and display the option you are intending.

Unless you're teaching online, live streamed or prerecorded, it would be preferable as a teacher to leave the mat to fully observe the students offering assistance when needed. The intention is for you to teach your students, not to have a self practice. Participate with the students on one side of the sequence e.g the right side (especially if its a new sequence) and walk around on the next e.g the left. Or do one round together and then observe the 2nd/3rd. If you plan to not visually cue at all, ensure newer students are not at the front and they have experienced students around as a point of reference.

DEMONSTRATIONS

Demonstrations also give your students a visual impression of the posture or key action you are instructing, but in a place they can comfortably watch and see, before taking the action themselves. When used effectively, demonstrations are an invaluable tool for helping your students progress in their practice. Know what you are demonstrating and why.

Demonstrations are best for intricate postures that are more difficult to just verbally cue, as well as more complex sequences. When a student is in a pose where they can't see the teacher unless they come out of the pose altogether, you may wish to transition from where they were. i.e Bound Side Angle - Bird of Paradise without disrupting the flow.


VISUALLY ADJUSTING STUDENTS

Visually adjusting gives a visual impression of the refinement you are instructing,
- Demonstrate mistakes after you have observed them in your students.
- If visually adjusting distally, ensure the target student knows you are showing them. Otherwise go closer, by their side and visually show them the correction. Sometimes doing it alongside will help them understand lefts and rights or make sense of the pose, than showing them front facing.


PRACTICE

(A 5MINS) teach a posture where back is turned repositioning yourself (B 15MINS) practice teaching using mirroring (C 15MINS) demonstrate a complicated posture with ability options, then teach observing students (D 5MINS) choose a pose and visually cue a 'wrong' to 'right' correction.