One of the key skills required as a yoga teacher is the sequencing of a yoga class. When sequencing a yoga class, there are a variety of factors to take into account. Spinal mobility, the particular theme and energetic effect you are trying to cultivate in a class, the style of yoga you are teaching, and modifications based on the demographic you are teaching are all different components to consider when sequencing a yoga class. The art of sequencing is key to unlocking transformative experiences for students and is an essential component of any 200-hour yoga teacher training in Bali. By articulating intelligent yoga sequences, you have the capacity to help the individual harmonize the body, mind, and being.
A well-structured vinyasa yoga sequence includes a warm-up that progresses into more dynamic and potentially challenging postures and winds down with more gentle postures that focus on mobilizing the areas that have been dominantly activated throughout your sequence. Learning to create this energetic arc in a yoga class is central to any vinyasa teacher training in Bali. For example, if your vinyasa sequence involves multiple Warrior poses and/or poses that require balancing on one leg such as the Eagle pose, winding down the class with a pose such as Pigeon or Gomukhasana that mobilize the stabilizing muscles of the outer hip region that has been strengthened throughout class would be appropriate. While vinyasa yoga is a dynamic practice, ensuring there is ample time to warm up and cool down the body is essential in creating a safe class that minimizes the likelihood of injury.
A vinyasa teacher training in Bali will teach you the importance of mobilizing the spine in all six directions when sequencing a yoga class. While the class may favor mobilizing the spine in one or two of these directions, i.e. twisting or backbends, a well-rounded class will mobilize the spine in all planes of movement to cultivate energetic balance. These six directions are spinal flexion and extension, lateral flexion and extension, and spinal twisting. Each direction of spinal mobility is associated with a different energetic effect. Backbends and side body mobility spinal extension and lateral flexion and extension, are more uplifting and invigorating in nature, while spinal flexion and twisting are more grounding and calming in nature. By mobilizing the spine in all directions, a balanced and centered energetic effect is cultivated.
The art of sequencing a yoga class extends beyond the arrangement of postures. It requires not only stringing together a series of asanas, pranayama, and potential meditations but also the awareness to modify a practice when needed. There will be times when you will be teaching a class and your instruction and/or the sequence you had planned is not landing for the practitioners in your class. Cultivating self-awareness and awareness of others will help you recognize this. With ample education on yoga sequencing, you should be able to recognize what is not working for your students and modify it accordingly in a way that is in alignment with the themes of the class. By recognizing the unique needs and abilities of students, you are able to modify a class when needed- making yoga more accessible and beneficial for all.
Last but not least, one of the keys to sequencing a yoga class is language. The vocabulary you use when teaching a yoga class has the power to drastically impact the experience of your students. By using meditative, contemplative, yet approachable language, a deeper sense of connection and presence can be established. However, the exact language you use will be unique to you, and most importantly, authentic to you as the teacher. Finding your unique “voice” as a yoga teacher sets Inner Yoga Training’s 200-hour yoga teacher training in Bali aside from other training. On their training programs, you will not only learn the ins and outs of sequencing a yoga class but also how to make your expression of that yoga class authentic to you.