Why Observation Is the Most Underrated Skill Every Yoga Teacher Needs
When people ask me what skill has changed my teaching the most, they usually expect me to say anatomy.
Or cueing.
Or sequencing.
They're usually surprised when I say something much simpler.
Observation.
Not correcting. Not demonstrating. Not giving better cues.
Simply learning to see.
The longer I teach, the more convinced I become that observation is one of the most overlooked skills in yoga education. And yet, it's the skill that influences almost every decision we make as teachers.
Most of Us Were Taught to React
Many teacher trainings spend countless hours teaching poses.
We learn alignment.
We learn anatomy.
We learn sequencing.
Then we're sent into a room full of students and expected to make good decisions in real time.
That's a completely different skill.
It's one thing to know what Warrior II should look like.
It's another to notice twenty different bodies practicing Warrior II, recognize what's actually happening, and decide whether anything needs to be said at all.
Those are NOT the same thing.
“Observation comes before instruction.
If we don’t see clearly, we can’t teach clearly.”
Looking Isn't the Same as Seeing
When I first started teaching, I thought I was observing my students.
I was looking around the room.
But if I'm honest, I was mostly looking for mistakes.
Whose front knee wasn't bent enough?
Whose shoulders weren't stacked?
Who needed another cue?
Over time, I realized I wasn't observing. I was scanning for problems.
There's a difference.
Real observation begins with curiosity, not correction.
Sometimes the Best Cue Is No Cue
This one took me years to learn.
Not every wobble needs fixing. Not every rounded back is dangerous. Not every variation is wrong.
Sometimes a student is exploring.
Sometimes they're adapting to an old injury.
Sometimes they're simply having an off day.
Sometimes they're discovering something they'll never discover if I interrupt too soon.
Learning when not to speak has become just as important as learning what to say.
Observation Builds Trust
Students notice when we actually see them.
Not because we're staring at them.
Because our cues suddenly become more relevant.
Our assists become more intentional. Our encouragement becomes more personal.
They stop feeling like they're taking a class. They start feeling supported.
That's where trust grows.
“Students don’t need us to notice everything.
They need us to notice what matters.”
Before You Plan Your Next Class
The next time you teach, give yourself one challenge.
Spend the first few minutes observing before you begin correcting.
Notice how students enter the room.
Notice how they breathe.
Notice who seems confident.
Notice who keeps looking around.
Notice who is trying very hard.
You may find that the class starts teaching you before you ever teach them.
If You Remember One Thing…
Observation isn't passive.
It's an active practice of paying attention.
And the better we become at seeing our students, the better every other teaching skill becomes.
Continue Learning
If this article resonated with you, here are a few places to continue your journey. Whether you're looking for practical teaching tools or ready to deepen your understanding through mentorship and continuing education, I'd love to support you.
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