What is a Yoga Script and How Do You Use It?
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Calling all new yoga teachers!
Have you ever heard of a yoga script?
Today on Alive in the Fire, I’ll share a little bit of background about yoga scripts and why they can be a helpful tool when you’re transitioning from yoga teacher training to teaching more classes.
What is a yoga script?
A yoga script is a transcript of everything to say when you are teaching. It’s a step-by-step list of all the words you can use to guide students into and out of each pose. A lot of times yoga scripts are associated with yoga nidra, which is a sleep meditation. The way yoga nidra is led is structured—moving methodically through the body parts— so a script is helpful in order to remember each cue without losing track of where you are in teaching the meditation.
Why are yoga scripts helpful?
A yoga script can help you build confidence. It gives you a mechanism and a strategy to teach better classes more quickly, and to get a solid foundational class under your belt.
The main reason I became interested in yoga scripts and how they can help yoga teachers is because in my early days of teaching, I struggled. I felt so nervous before class that I would sometimes forget what to say, or feel flustered. In this way, I wasn’t showing up at my best and I couldn’t help my students as much as I wanted to. I remember one of the most useful practices in order for me to build more confidence and find my words more easily was to repeat the sequence to myself over and over in the car while I was driving. This repetition was essential for me.
A yoga script essentially offers you that repetition in a helpful format that improves learning and helps you memorize. Once you have that foundation, you can build from there and get more creative with your words and your sequencing.
Is using a yoga script ‘cheating’ when it comes to teaching yoga? How can I find my own voice if I’m just using someone else’s words?
I think this is a valid consideration. But I believe that sometimes we need tools to move through challenges. The goal with a yoga script isn’t to completely rely on the printed words forever. In fact, many teachers who use a yoga script don’t use it for very long. Say you were struggling with a lack of confidence. You could read from the yoga script while you’re at home, during commercial breaks while you’re watching your favorite TV show. You could go to the park and sit quietly, do your meditation, then read a few pages of the script while you’re in a calm state. You might use a yoga script simply to give your mind something positive to focus on when it comes to your teaching.
Using the script while being kind to yourself is a great practice. Trusting the process, knowing this won’t always be the way you teach but that it’s giving you a solid foundation to work from.
Sometimes we need the confidence first— then the courage helps us find our words.
What exactly does it say in a yoga script?
The words guide you through what to say during a class. For example:
How to introduce yourself when you first come into the room. (Short version and long version of this)
How to cue students during a pose, meaning how to instruct them on alignment of the spine, placement of the hands and feet, and what to concentrate on
Breath cues — when to inhale and when to exhale
Transitions between sections of class, whether through a Vinyasa or a pose like Child’s Pose
What to say during Savasana, including short meditations
What to say when you finish class and send students on their way
So, how exactly do you use a yoga script? What’s the process?
Here are 3 different ways you could use your yoga script:
Have some friends or family over for a small private class at your home. Read directly from the script and watch the students as they move through their practice. Note where the words land, when they’re clear on what to do, or if there are any moments when your class gets confused or doesn’t know how to set up the pose. Become curious and careful with your words.
Practice reading from the script out loud while alone. You could even record yourself doing this. Then listen back to the recording. Notice the inflection in your voice, the volume of your voice, the tone. How do your words sound? What is effective? What do you want to work on and strengthen as far as your teaching skills go?
Read the words aloud as you do the practice on your own mat. Guide yourself. See how that goes and what it brings up for you.
Interested in trying out a yoga script? Here are the 2 most popular ones sold here at Alive in the Fire.
Calling all new yoga teachers! Are you ready to teach a badass power yoga class?! This script can help you improve your cues, build your confidence, and discover the sequencing and pacing that will define your unique style as a teacher. A great tool for transitioning from your yoga teacher training into any environment where you are leading classes, whether that’s a studio, gym, corporate setting, or private classes.
If you are struggling to remember what to say when you teach, or you’re having trouble guiding students from pose to pose, this script can help. The Power Yoga Script breaks down exactly what verbs and cue details to use as you teach. Are there fears or insecurities holding you back? Are you comparing yourself to other yoga teachers instead of letting your voice be heard? Explore the big questions behind how and why you teach using this helpful guide.
The sequencing follows the Baptiste methodology including the following sections: Integration, Awakening, Vitality, Equanimity, Grounding, Igniting, Stability, Opening, Release, Rejuvenation and Deep Rest.
This 48-page script includes:
Introductions
Warm ups
Sun salutations
Warrior poses
Balancing poses
Triangle series
Backbending
Abs and core work
Hips
Forward bending
Inversions
Cool down and shavasana
There’s also space for you to plan out a class and write out all the cues you’ll use to guide students safely through the poses, plus a list of questions to help you discover where you’re feeling stuck.
Precise cues, smart sequencing, and ideas for how to start and end the class in an engaging and authentic way. Walk into class feeling empowered and prepared to deliver a kick-ass yoga experience to your students.
Take your teaching from basic to badass with this power yoga script.
Here’s what yoga teachers are saying about the POWER YOGA SCRIPT:
“This definitely helped me improve my flow with teaching asana after my teacher training.” -Donita, Vinyasa yoga teacher
”I love how you laid this script out. I felt confused and scattered as I was working on my classes and this helped me save time in the process. Thank you!” -Keyla, yin yoga teacher
“I’ll be honest: when I got done with my 200-hour training, I felt totally lost. I mean, my trainers went over all the poses but as soon as I’d get in front of the room, the words just weren’t there. I felt so stuck. This book helped me build my confidence and doing some memorization so I wasn’t always so terrified to teach.” -Beth, power vinyasa teacher
Who is the Power Yoga Script for?
The Power Yoga Script is meant for yoga teachers who teach Power Vinyasa yoga, a vigorous ‘flow’ type of class. It’s based on the Baron Baptiste model for structuring a class and it includes everything from introducing yourself at the very beginning of class, through each pose, all the way through Savasana and closing class and thanking your students.
Who is the Power Vinyasa Yoga Script with Savasana Meditations for?
This script is for a similar audience — any teacher who teaches Power Vinyasa— but who wants a little more emphasis on how to lead students into a peaceful and grounding Shavasana practice. This would be a great tool for someone who teaches 75 minute classes instead of 60 minute, or perhaps even 90 minute classes where you have a bit more time at the end of class to do some restorative practices. This script is also best for teachers with a little more experience, say 6-9 months.
Calling all yoga teachers! This yoga script and series of Savasana meditations is designed to help empower you and take your teaching to the next level. This 45-page workbook includes:
A full script for a grounding power Vinyasa class including poses for:
Integration/ warm up
Sun Salutations
Warrior Series with Balancing and Grounding Poses
Standing Balancing poses
Backbends
Twists and Forward Folds
Savasana cues
8 Savasana Meditation Scripts you can read to your students
Creative ways to start and end yoga classes
How to prepare yourself and reduce nerves before class
Exactly what to say when you begin teaching - what to remind students of and how to begin class
Ideas for beginning class with movement, meditation, breathing or a theme
How to end a yoga class smoothly and transition students out of Savasana
How to modify the sequence for a 60 minute time frame (as opposed to 75 or 90 minutes)
Here’s what yoga teachers are saying about the GROUNDING POWER YOGA SCRIPT:
“I used to struggle with figuring out what to say while students were in Savasana at the end of class. It just felt awkward and I wasn’t sure if I should stay quiet or guide them. Now I just read one of the meditations. Now students come up to me after class and say how they loved it!” -Leslie, Vinyasa yoga teacher
”After my yoga teacher training, I was actually still confused about how to sequence a class. I felt really scattered. This script helped me feel prepared and gave me a good structure and framework. Super helpful!” -Christina, power flow yoga teacher
“This script helped me get rid of so much stress around teaching. Thank you.” -Sam, power vinyasa teacher
As always, if you need support with your teaching, feel free to reach out.
