Teaching Yoga Classes with a Script
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As a new yoga teacher, you have a lot to keep track of.
What exactly should I say to get students in and out of the poses?
What if I forget what’s next?
What if I’m running behind or running early during a class?
I can remember in the early days of teaching feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything. That’s what inspired me to create a resource I’d recommend to any new teacher: a yoga class teaching script.
Learning to Teach Yoga Is Learning to Use Your Voice
Teaching yoga isn’t just about guiding poses; it’s about learning how to connect with your students through your words. It’s how you encourage them, how you inform them, and most importantly, how you trust yourself as a teacher.
For many new yoga teachers, especially those of us who are introverted, stepping in front of a room full of people can feel intimidating. I know that when I first started, the thought of speaking with authority and leading an entire class felt like a huge leap.
That’s where tools like an opening yoga class script can make a difference. A well-thought-out script gives you a foundation to build confidence, ensuring that your words create a safe, supportive, and welcoming space for your students.
Why Use an Opening Yoga Class Script?
When you’re new to teaching, it’s easy to get caught up in worrying about what to say. You might wonder, How do I introduce myself? How do I start class on the right note? Having a script can make the process so much smoother.
An opening yoga script offers you a guide for setting the tone. From welcoming your students to encouraging mindfulness, it helps you craft the perfect introduction to each class. If you’re looking for inspiration, there are plenty of resources out there, including yoga class script PDFs that provide structured examples of what to say.
Here’s what you might include in a script for opening a yoga class:
A warm greeting and introduction
Acknowledgment of students’ efforts in showing up for their practice
An overview of the class theme or intention
An opening yoga class meditation or breathwork practice to ground your students
Simple cues to guide the transition into movement
Tips for Creating Your Own Opening Yoga Class Script
If you want to create your own script, start by reflecting on how you want your students to feel at the beginning of class. Calm? Energized? Grounded? Use this as your starting point.
Here’s a yoga class opening script sample:
“Welcome, everyone. Thank you for being here to practice today. As we begin, I want to remind you that this is your time. Take care of yourself. Do what works for you in this class, even if it means taking a break or modifying the poses. Let’s get started in child’s pose.”
Short, clear, and calming—this sets the stage for a meaningful practice. If you prefer a structured approach, using a yoga class opening script PDF can help you get started. These resources often include multiple yoga class script examples that you can adapt to your teaching style.
Finding Your Voice as a Yoga Teacher
Teaching yoga isn’t about memorizing a script word-for-word—it’s about using a script as a guide to help you find your own voice. Over time, you’ll notice what resonates with your students and what doesn’t. You’ll get a feel for which words help them relax and which cues lead to confusion.
Here are a few tips to keep in mind:
Speak clearly and confidently: Your tone sets the vibe for the entire class.
Keep it simple: Leave out unnecessary words or overly complicated instructions.
Focus on safety: Use cues that help students align their bodies correctly and stay present in their practice.
Adjust based on the room: Pay attention to your students’ energy and adjust your pacing or words as needed.
Learning what to say is part of the journey, and having an opening yoga class script in your toolkit can give you the foundation you need to feel prepared.
The Power of Your Words
The words you choose as a yoga teacher are powerful. They can ground your students, uplift them, and even inspire them long after class has ended.
So, don’t be afraid to lean on resources like a yoga class script example when you’re just starting out. Whether you’re using an opening yoga class script template, a downloadable yoga class script PDF, or creating your own unique style, the key is to be authentic and intentional.
With practice, your words will flow naturally. And remember, every teacher starts somewhere. Trust yourself, trust your voice, and trust the process.
Tips for Overcoming Nervousness as a Yoga Teacher
Feeling nervous as a new yoga teacher is completely normal. It’s a sign that you care about your students and their experience. Over time, those jitters can transform into a steady confidence that allows you to teach with ease and authenticity. Here are some practical ways to calm your nerves and grow into your role as a teacher:
Prepare a Script
Having a plan can do wonders for your confidence. Write out what you want to say in class, especially for key moments like the introduction, transitions, and closing. Even if you don’t follow it word-for-word, knowing you have a yoga teaching script to fall back on can ease anxiety.
Practice Before You Teach
Rehearse your sequences and cues, either on your own or with friends. Saying the words out loud in a low-pressure setting helps you find your rhythm and refine your delivery.
Focus on Your Students
Instead of fixating on how you’re doing, direct your attention to the energy in the room. Notice how your words are landing and how your students are responding. When you shift the focus away from yourself, nerves naturally begin to fade.
Use Your Breath
Just as you guide your students to breathe deeply, use your breath to calm your own body and mind. Take a moment before class to center yourself with a few deep, grounding breaths.
Embrace Imperfection
No one expects you to be perfect—not your students, not your mentors, and certainly not yoga itself. Mistakes are part of the process, and every teacher has stumbled over a cue or forgotten a transition at some point. What matters is how you recover and keep going.
Remember Your 'Why'
When doubt creeps in, come back to why you started teaching in the first place. Maybe it’s the desire to help others find peace, or to share a practice that has been life-changing for you. Let that purpose guide you through the nerves.
Yoga scripts can help you transition from yoga teacher training to leading classes with your community. They give you an outline for exactly what to say during a yoga class. Here are some resources to get you started.
Use the script below if you are a new yoga teacher and offering power vinyasa yoga classes.
Power Vinyasa Yoga Script | Yoga Script for Teachers | Alive in the Fire
The Power Vinyasa Yoga Script is a valuable tool for yoga teachers to improve cues, build confidence, and guide students through poses. Enhance your teaching skills with this essential yoga script.
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.
Who is this power yoga script for?
New teachers in their first year of teaching who want to build confidence
Experienced teachers who want to be more precise in their cueing
Any yoga teacher looking to discover their voice and feel prepared to teach
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
Use the script below if you’re teaching a power yoga class and want to incorporate more variety into your sequencing, as well as offer some relaxing meditations during the end of class.
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
Maybe you feel good about your cues but you’re still lacking confidence in yourself? Or you’re feeling burned out, struggling to decide if a class is the right fit for you? Don’t commit until you’ve read this e-book! Features advice from over 25 expert teachers, plus 10 meditations.
Are you a new yoga teacher working to build your confidence? This 40-page e-book brings you practical, hands-on advice from over 25 experienced yoga teachers on how to kickstart your career, overcome imposter syndrome, receive feedback, and improve your skills. The book also includes 10 powerful meditations to help calm your nerves and ground your energy before class. Other topics include:
How to create kick-ass sequencing
How to get off your mat more while you teach
How to stop comparing yourself to other teachers
How to overcome burnout
How to create inspired social media content
How to decide if a class is worth starting or keeping
Are you ready to let go of imposter syndrome and find new levels of confidence as a yoga teacher? Begin here!
SPECIAL OFFER: FREE COPY OF MY BOOK!
Now, if you’ve read alllll the way to the end of this post, and you’re feeling ready to invest in your confidence and try a yoga script, I want to offer you something special.
If you purchase a script after reading this post and send me an email (aliveinthefire at gmail dot com), I’ll send you a free digital copy of my latest book, Creating Confidence: A Practical Guide for Aspiring Yoga Teachers.
In this book, I detail all of the things I wish I’d heard in my first year of teaching yoga. I give actionable, practical, simple ways to overcome imposter syndrome and find your teaching groove.
After you purchase your yoga script, just send me a quick email (aliveinthefire at gmail dot com) or message me on Instagram @aliveinthefireyoga and I’ll send a digital copy your way!
Cheers to your ongoing success and thank you for all you do to support your local yoga community. It matters!
Love,
Rachel
Finding your voice as a yoga teacher can feel like a big journey—but it’s one of the most rewarding parts of teaching. Here are six practical ways to build confidence, connect to your authentic voice, and teach with purpose.