A snippet from my future yoga teacher training...
I’ve done two 200hr teacher trainings and there is not one section dedicated to the softer skills needed as a teacher or would help a ton if the teacher knew the importance of it from the beginning. I know not everything can be covered in a 200hr training, but in my future offering, this will be a section from the soft skills module.
GET TO KNOW YOUR STUDENTS BY NAME
Now, the first excuse for some of us is… I am not good with names. I have a bad memory etc etc. I’m aware of this. Luckily, this IS something we can work on AND get better at. It takes practice. And practice makes progress.
So why is it important that we get to know our students by name and how do we go about doing it?
First things first, getting to know the names of our students shows that we are interested and that we care. We know it’s a good time to ask their name if they’ve been returning often enough. They are willing and full of spirit when it comes to the class and they might even ask you a question or two after the class. That’s a great time for an ask.
Secondly, knowing our students by name means we can give them personalized feedback. There’s time for general feedback to the class as a whole and then there’s individual feedback which helps take students to the full expression of the postures. We can be specific in our feedback. “Denice, hug the elbows in more. Jeffrey, push the floor away. Straighten your elbows.” — you can see what I mean by these simple examples.
Third reason, we as humans love to hear our own name. Most of us come to class with the hope that we can make some progress over time. Thus the feedback creates a two way relationship between teacher and student. We grow with the students. Each one is on their own personal journey. We’re involved in this journey of theirs. The effort is theirs and that’s what counts. We show them the way forward.
Fourth reason, we can create more meaningful relationships with our students over time. These are the ones who will be by your side through thick and thin. They’ll provide the energy if and when it’s missing. When times are dark, they’ll be there to provide the light and vice versa. It’s a two-way street this teacher-student relationship. This human connection is what makes it special and not only what postures and techniques we’re all doing.
How to go about it?
Developing a strong student base takes a long time and hundreds of classes. Students will come and go and know that this is normal. This will happen regardless of if you work in a bigger commercial studio or a smaller boutique studio. However, it pays off to get to know students.
So, you’ve just started teaching classes and in the beginning we might have smaller classes.
Ask everyone’s name at the beginning of the class. Yes you won’t remember them all. Some will stand out for us and will be easier to remember.
But how do I actually remember student names?!
By actually USING THEIR NAMES during the class.
The more we practice saying their names, the quicker it will be embedded into our memory, and before we know it we’ll be able to store plenty of names.
It helps to identify certain characteristics about the students that can make it easy for us to recognize them.
We’re all unique in our own way, and certain things just stand out more than others.
Addressing students by name makes them feel valued.
We start a dialogue between us as the teacher and the students.
The class becomes a conversation of sorts.
There’s a sharing of energy.
It’s this connection that we foster and build upon as we continue to grow our classes.
Conclusion
I could keep going but this should suffice for now as a new teacher entering the studio and for those teaching consistently each and every week.
We’re in the service industry so to speak and we interact with customers/clients/students every time we come to work.
Knowing names and being greeted by name adds that personal touch that keeps students coming back. This would even apply to the front desk staff.
Wouldn’t you feel good being greeted by name when you check in for your next yoga class? It goes a long way in the yoga room and off the mat.
Take what you find useful and discard the rest.
OM
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