Does Your Yoga Teacher Talk Too Much?

Instruction in a class is essential and important, especially if you are new to yoga. A good teacher will give you guidance on how to safely get into a pose and how to make any necessary adjustments. They remind you to breathe and to relax. However, if they are constantly chatting it is hard to get to the relaxing part.

Teaching is a balance. Giving just the right amount of instruction while allowing your students the space to relax. We try to create an atmosphere of relaxation and safety. A place where students can come to let go and hit their reset button. This is hard to do when your teacher is constantly talking.

There are various reasons why some teachers talk so much. It may have been the way they were trained. They were taught to give specific instructions on how to get into poses. My initial 200 hour training taught me that I needed to give 2-4 cues on how to get into each pose. In a vinyasa class that can be a lot of talking. Another reason may be that some teachers, especially new ones, are nervous and they feel more comfortable filling up the silence. When I first started teaching I felt like I was talking the whole time. Now that I'm comfortable with being in front of people, I enjoy the quite parts, I don't feel the need to fill it up with words.

If you love your teacher's class but wish that they talked a little less you need to speak up. Don't come out and just say they talk to much, but perhaps mention that you love their class and wonder if they would consider a little more quite time throughout the class. Give them reasons why you would like this. Time to focus on your breath or process the information that they are giving you.

As teachers we are always learning, mostly from the students that we teach. They teach us our own limitations but also show us how much we can grow. We are always open to hearing how we are doing and how we can make the class a better experience for you. We won't necessarily change for every request, as how we teach is an extension of who we are, but a good teacher should be open to listening.

A yoga class is a sacred space. If you aren't getting all that you need from a class, it may be time for you to search out another one. If you don't have other options, then try to make the best of the class you have. Learn to tune out the excess noise, learn to find peace in your chaos and judgments. This will come in handy in your daily life. Check your perspective, is the teacher really talking too much or are you just not open to the instruction. If so, why?

Whatever your outcome with your teacher, make sure that it doesn't let you lose your love of yoga. Every challenge you meet in your life will make you better and potentially lead you to greater things.