In the Yoga Teacher Trainings I’ve taken and in the ones I’ve taught, the common teaching has been that we ought to be able to communicate a cue three different ways.

Why? So that, if a student doesn’t understand it with certain phrasing, she or he may ‘get it’ if it is phrased differently.

In last Monday’s class, I asked everyone to move into Down Dog. It became apparent that a new-to-me student would benefit from further instruction in this pose.

I also realize that I am a bit ‘nit picky’, and that I may come across as picking on someone. I tried to tread lightly, using the three ways of phrasing, then I tried quietly speaking directly to the person, and I even tried a bit of hands on (which has been taboo until recently, due to Covid).

Finally, I asked “M” to come to my mat and show us how her son (also a yoga teacher) communicates getting into the pose. “M” did a great job, demonstrating and explaining her son’s method. It is similar to mine, but different. I hoped this would get my message across.

What was wonderful is that “M” was totally comfortable offering this demonstration and explanation.

My teaching and her son’s are similar in that I ask students to move into Down Dog initially with bent knees. With knees bent the hamstrings release their hold on the pelvis and the spine (I hope) will straighten. I hope to see a straight line from fingertips to hips, as a result. Then, because many students have tight leg muscles, we pedal the heels to and from the floor a bit. This gives the hamstrings and calf muscles and opportunity to warm up a bit before moving further.

After some of what one of my teachers called ‘playtime’, I ask everyone to straighten their knees and press heels towards the floor.

Outcome? ‘Three Ways’ and the beautiful job “M” did for us, didn’t work.

Oh, well — can’t win them all.

I’m enjoying 4 days away from teaching - an opportunity to rest and refresh. See you back on the mat on Tuesday.