Sequencing a Yoga Class: Advice from Real Yoga Teachers on How to Create Your 'Flow'

Calling all yoga teachers, and teachers in training!

How do you sequence your yoga classes? What tips, tricks and tools have helped you learn to put together a class that 'flows' beautifully?

Sequencing can be a challenge for yoga teachers, especially in the beginning...I know for me it took a few years to feel totally comfortable creating new yoga sequences. When you're fresh out of teacher training, you may have one memorized sequence you're ready to use, but how do you branch out from there? What helps keep you creative and coming up with new ideas? 

Putting together a cohesive, intelligent, engaging yoga class is not easy. In an effort to encourage and inspire all of my fellow yoga teachers out there, I'd love to share some awesome advice from three of my favorite teachers on how they sequence a class, memorize a flow, and create an environment for students that is supportive and fun. Enjoy!

Tristina Kennedy:

The most authentic inspiration that I find for classes is to get on my mat and move. Some days I just allow myself to be led by my breath and intuition. Other days, I may have a specific intention/focus that I want to bring to class, so my movement is informed by this.

I’m visually minded, so once I have my game plan, I write/draw out the sequence for class. I like to use symbols, abbreviations, and little stick figure yogis. :) I keep a format that divides the various sections of class, so that it's easy to reference when teaching, if needed.

I love the way that this starts to build a catalog of classes. It is fun to look back at past classes; I will often revive, and sometimes refine, things that I've taught in the past.

Jany Slay:

In the beginning I would write almost every single transition or pose down in a linear list (took up half a page!) but now I focus on just one or two key poses or transitions that I really like and put in my basic flows around those pieces. I stop writing as much down too and just practice on my mat more WITH music. For me, music inspires my movements so getting on my mat with a great playlist is where I get inspired. From there, it's a random note-fest of transitions or poses that I must have in my class.

The biggest tip my teacher had for me in my classes she would take was "BREATHE

!" I try to never skip a breathe cue. I try to emphasize fuller breaths in the middle and end of class when that can sometimes be forgotten. When I feel lost or nervous, I breathe. I also remember that some of my favorite classes was more because of the vibe and energy of the teacher and less to do with the sequences or poses.

Aren't these tips super helpful? I can't wait to try some of them when I'm putting together my next class sequence.

I'm so grateful to each of you-- Tristina, Jany and Elizabeth-- for offering all these awesome ideas on how to sequence a yoga class.

To summarize, here are some ideas for how to create a class that flows effortlessly:

• Spend time during your own practice noticing the transitions between poses.

• Keep a journal of class sequences you've taught.

• Let music inspire you.

• Choose a peak pose and work up to it.

• When you arrive to teach, remember to breathe and adapt to who's in the room.

For all you Vinyasa yogis, I also recommend checking out my post on how I memorized the

Baron Baptiste sequence

during my 200 hour training.

Do you have tips or tricks for sequencing? I'd love to hear in the comments below!

Power Yoga Script with Sanskrit Posture Names

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Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day! Sending a big hug to all you moms, stepmoms, grandmas, aunts, wives, teachers, dog moms, yoginis, and lovely women of the world!

Thank you for your compassion and your love, and for making the world a brighter place.

An especially big 'I love you' goes out to my own mom, and my sister!

  

May your Mother's Day be relaxing and fun, and may you cherish spending time with those you love.

And if for some reason a day like today brings worry, sadness or fear, may you find peace by taking a deep breath... or enjoying a tasty donut ;)

Namaste.

Badass Women: Summer

Photos courtesy of Summer Ward. Photo above by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

Certain yoga teachers have a way of effortlessly guiding you inward, allowing you to release any worries or expectations so that you can show up fully on your mat and be present.

Every class I've ever taken with Summer, that's the feeling I have... true awareness. Everything else fades away. I'm able to truly be present in my body, with my breath, in each pose. As a teacher, I'm incredibly grateful for this. Often as a teacher I find myself analyzing a class as it unfolds, thinking about the sequencing or the music or the cues that are being used to get in and out of the poses. It can be challenging to let go, and simply be a student. I'm grateful for Summer's calm, wise presence when she teaches, and the way she stands in her power when she speaks. Plus, she tells the best stories! :)

Summer is truly a gifted teacher, and she has dedicated over 10 years to sharing yoga here in the Sacramento area community. This month, she's leading a Standup Paddle Board Yoga teacher training and she also runs a successful doTerra oils business.

Summer is truly a badass woman of the local northern California yoga world, and I am grateful to call her a friend and to be able to share a bit of her yoga journey here on Alive in the Fire.

What does it mean to be badass?
For me being a badass has everything to do with truth and courage.  When your intention is pure and integrity aligned, you MUST say, act and do what you know to be right.  It’s not that confident women don’t get scared, insecure or intimidated; it’s that they push forward despite those feelings because what lies on the other side of that is a sensation that far exceeds the security and complacency of stifling or censoring yourself.  

Photo above by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

What badass things do you love to do, or have you done? 
I love to challenge myself!  Through my many years of studying and teaching yoga, I’ve come to recognize the physical cues of following the heart or gut and overcoming the critic of the mind.  When I decided to quit my corporate job, become a yoga entrepreneur,  or move forward into the essential oils business, it wasn’t a logical decision at all… I felt it.  I’ve come to trust those feelings as a guide in life and even though there are struggles, I know I’m on the right path.

What advice have you been given by badass women in your life?
Rather than advice, I have been given unconditional support.  Beginning with the love of my badass mother and grandmother, I’ve continued to surround myself with people who truly love me for who I am and would be there for me even if I failed.  That is far more powerful than any words or advice.  

What advice would you share with others about how to live life to the fullest?
You already know what you need.  From ending that unhealthy relationship, to taking that job, or making that big move.  You already know the answers.  If it’s unclear, then you are either fooling yourself or not taking the time out of your life to listen.  Unplug, ignore what people want from you, get still and silent.  Whether it’s prayer, meditation, or a personal retreat, you have everything you need already contained within you - you just need to cultivate your connection to it.

What things do you do to take care of yourself and stay inspired?
The greatest thing I do to take care of myself is get into nature.  Whether it’s working in my garden, hiking a trail, camping under the stars, or a Stand Up Paddle Board adventure, being in the elements and a part of the greater whole fills me up.  There are so many lessons we can learn from the rhythms and cycles of our environment.  One of the biggest being that you plant seeds (intentions or thoughts) continuously and while the universe honors and supports that (so be mindful of what you wish for), nature works in it’s own time.  Be patient and trust the process.

Photo above by Brynna Bryant of Respiro Photography.

In the next year or two, what badass plans will you make a reality?
I plan to find more ways in which to serve people and our collective evolution through the teachings of yoga, the supportive benefits of essential oils, and through our connection to nature.  I will grow my Stand Up Paddle Board (SUP) Yoga offerings through International retreats and teach others to connect to their own nature within.  I will encourage women to speak and honor their truth and bravely support them in what they discover!

Summer, thank you so much for being a part of the Badass Women series here on the blog! Sending you a heartfelt Namaste.

PS Meet more badass women here: Sam, a journalist, and Rose, a wellness blogger.
And thoughts on why we badass women must embrace all of our experiences, and all of the emotions that go along with them.