1. Mat Chat A Yoga Teacher’s Collaborative

2. When a beginner cannot access a pose the teacher must ask themselves… is it lack of ability or lack of body awareness? This is very tricky because often beginners do not know this answer yet and cannot provide feedback. How can we, as teachers, help them with this?

3. YOGA IS…...a state of being. …an awareness of the authentic self. When that awareness comes, we can radiate our true nature – that which already is. Yoga is not the asana… …it is the residue that is left in the wake of the practices associated with yoga.

4. BEGINNERS…...are a large portion of our student population. …come to class with low body awareness...work so hard in the postures that they need continued cueing to stay in the practice of yoga not simply the in the asana. …are new to the philosophy. …like all of us, crave a connection to themselves and need tools to carry that off the mat.

5. TEN MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO TEACH BEGINNERS

6. 1. TRUST YOURSELF FIRST AND ALWAYS.

7. 2. BREATHE Breath is the doorway to the present moment.

8. 3. TEACH HOW TO STAND AND SIT WITH NATURAL SPINAL CURVES. ….tadasana is THE universal pose.

9. 4. RELAXATION Teaches beginners the process of dis- identifying with their thoughts.

10. 5. DO NOT OVERESTIMATE OR UNDERESTIMATE THE BEGINNER.

11. 6. WHATEVER HAPPENS, TREAT EACH PERSON WITH RESPECT.

12. 7. TEACH THEM TO NEVER, EVER, EVER PUSH THEMSELVES.

13. 8. ASK PERMISSION TO TOUCH YOUR STUDENTS.

14. 9. HAVE FUN!

15. 10. RITUAL