How You Can Support Your Beginner Yoga Students

Updated December 4, 2024

If you're a yoga teacher, now is an excellent time to expand your business. About 1 in 6 adults say they practice yoga, and the number continues to grow. As more people enter this fascinating and empowering world, teaching yoga to beginners becomes increasingly important for your business and yoga career. 

Teaching yoga is a way to connect with your community and turn your passion into a career, but beginner classes can be challenging. You're introducing people to the practice, and the impression you make could shape their lifelong relationships with this practice. When you provide the right support to beginners, you gain clients who are excited to learn more about yoga and you as their instructor. 

KEY TAKEAWAYS 

• Make your studio inviting with calming music, warm greetings, and positive intentions to help beginners feel comfortable.
• Focus on foundational poses and simple transitions, offering clear instructions and modifications for all levels.
• Use both English and Sanskrit yoga terms, defining them as you teach to help beginners familiarize themselves with yoga language.
• Provide props, such as blocks and straps, and positively encourage their use to enhance learning and accessibility.
• Celebrate students' efforts, foster connections, and motivate them to engage beyond the studio.
• Encourage students to listen to their bodies, prioritize safe practices, and safeguard yourself with yoga liability insurance.

6 Yoga Teacher Tips for Beginners

Yoga for beginners, like slow flows, can be among the most challenging classes to teach. However, it is often the most rewarding. The process is as much about providing support as teaching, which means adjusting your approach to accommodate different levels of experience. It's an opportunity to introduce people to yoga and create lifelong fans. However, your classes must be engaging and supportive to make a lasting first impression. 

Some tips and tricks for empowering beginners include: 

1. Create a Welcoming Environment

Imagine your first time walking into a yoga class — a bit scary, right? Consider what beginner yogis want to see, hear and feel as they enter your space. Your studio should be a sanctuary — a reprieve from the hustle and bustle of their daily lives. Your class environment may already be calming, but there are extra things you can do to create a relaxed experience from the moment people walk through your doors: 

• Start with the entrance: People should feel like they've arrived at a retreat. Play calming music and cultivate a warm and inviting environment. If you only have one studio room provide comfortable seating for awaiting yogis. Encourage meaningful conversation with your patrons.  
• Choose the right music: Many people associate yoga with calming music, but by incorporating popular music, heavy beats, and lo-fi in addition to relaxing non-lyrical songs to create a sense of unity and safety. Somone new to class may feel more relaxed if they hear a song they are familiar with.
• Greet students as they enter: When beginners enter your studio, ensure they feel seen and valued. Greet them personally and show them around. Familiarity will help them become more comfortable. 
• Set positive intentions: Many first-time students may feel uncomfortable at first while waiting to begin or even through the movements. You can help put them at ease by setting a positive intention. Remind them that they know their limits and can take their time to feel comfortable with movements. 

2. Stick to the Basics

Beginners need to have a strong foundation. However, if you provide too many variations or modifications, your new students may get confused. They must walk before they run, which means getting used to the most common poses and moving their bodies in new ways. Set up poses with clear instructions with breath regulation, and keep your verbal or hands-on adjustments minimal to begin.

Make your transitions between poses simple, as they can be challenging for beginners. Let them know they can take all the time they need to get comfortable. Start with the easy poses and work your way up from there. 

Always remember to provide yoga modifications for beginners, as your class will consist of people of various fitness and flexibility levels. 

3. Explain Yoga Terminology

Understanding yogic language is one of the most common beginner yoga challenges. You want your new students to be comfortable, so use terminology they can understand. If you use terms that would be new to your students, define them as you teach. For example, when transitioning to a new pose, use the English word and the Sanskrit word each time so students can begin to make a connection between the two. 

Forward fold = Uttanasana

Chair Pose = Utkatasana

Asana = Pose

Drishti = gaze in one spot

4. Use Props and Tools

Props like blocks & straps allow students to master poses that may otherwise be too advanced. They help your students work through new poses and achieve stillness. Integrate yoga straps, blocks, pillows and bolsters into your classes to support beginner students and encourage all-level students to continue to use them.

You can make learners more comfortable experimenting with props by using the following strategies: 

• Provide props at the beginning of class: Having props within reach greatly benefits any yoga student. Setting them up before class empowers your students to take charge of their practice. Tell them what they need as your class starts, and hand out props before you begin teaching. 
• Cue your props: Cue students when to reach for their props and how to use them. Remember, you're teaching beginners, so it might help to demonstrate using each prop as part of your class.
• Frame your blocks positively: Verbiage like, "If you can't manage, grab a block," can make beginners feel inadequate. Instead, explain how using props can enrich the experience. 

5. Create a Community of Support, Encouragement and Motivation

First impressions are crucial, and when you teach beginners, you can create lifelong fans. Instead of focusing on adjustments during their first classes, celebrate their strength and build their confidence. Encourage them to ask questions before or after class and do you best to get to know them on a deeper level. 

Another crucial aspect of teaching yoga is building a community through your classes. Many come to yoga to enjoy the social side of group learning. Motivate your students to connect beyond your studio.

6. Focus on Safe, Injury-Free Experiences

Many beginners come to yoga to heal their body and mind. However, like any physical activity, there is a risk of injury. Newbies may be more prone to injury than experienced yoga practitioners. You are responsible for minimizing these risks when teaching a beginner class. 

Get to know your students so you can ensure their safety in the classroom. Prepare them for any new pose. Encourage students to listen to their bodies rather than try to push themselves too far, too fast. Despite your best efforts, the risk of injury still exists. It's best to protect yourself and your students with yoga liability insurance. Yoga instructor insurance protects you from the costs associated with common liabilities, including injuries caused to students during a session. 

Look for affordable, comprehensive insurance and compare premiums and benefits to ensure you get the best deal. 

Awaken the Great Teacher in You With beYogi

Teaching beginners can be highly rewarding, especially if you've taken steps to support and inspire them. One of the most important responsibilities is to cover yourself in case of injury in your classes. With a comprehensive yoga insurance policy from beYogi, you have the confidence and peace of mind to teach in a way that benefits your students, regardless of their level. 

Our top-rated yoga insurance is designed for yoga teachers and your needs. We're here to support you through every step of your journey, from student to teacher to studio owner. When you insure with us, you get more than peace of mind. You also get a free yoga website and discounts on business, education and daily expenses. 

Teach beginners with confidence. Purchase an insurance plan today!