Your yoga teacher can help you soar if you let them. Developing a trusting and reciprocal relationship is key to your success on the mat. Take note of our tips to earn the respect of your instructor and keep that trust strong. 

Take their advice

Yoga teachers spend hours learning the best way to teach you. If they offer you advice, it may be because they can see you struggling or that you might be about to hurt yourself. Whilst it might be difficult to hear that you haven’t quite reached into your favorite pose correctly, you’ll be grateful when you’re moving even more easily. 

Ask questions

If you’re not sure that you’ve got a pose right, want to check the name of the movement you couldn’t quite complete today, or if you’re not sure which style of yoga is for you, ask your teacher. They are there to help and would always prefer that you asked instead of battling on in silence. 

Show up on time and be open to trying

We’ve all been there. We’re just moving into the first difficult pose of the session and trying to breathe when someone runs into class late, unfurls their mat, and tries to maneuver themselves into the same configuration without instruction. Yoga is a practice and your teacher has planned it carefully for you. Respect this by being polite enough to arrive on time. Be open to trying even the most challenging of poses. Your teacher will not mind if you cannot achieve it the first time, but they’ll be pleased that you tried. 

Don’t roll up your mat during Shavasana

Just as you want to show up on time, avoid leaving early. Shavasana is the perfect ending to a yoga class as you allow yourself to enter a completely relaxed state whilst fully awake. You might be thinking that you need to get to work or that you want to be out of the car park first, but that’s no reason to cut your practice short or disrespect your teacher. 

Respect the space

Even in the most energetic yoga practice, you are still engaging in a moment of spirituality. Having a chat at the back of the room as you move into pigeon pose is rude to your teacher and to the other students. Avoid this as it may damage the relationship you are aiming to build. Likewise, this isn’t a time to be on your phone. Put the emails and gossip to the back of your mind for an hour, be present and fully embrace your yoga time. 

Tell them if you are injured

This is so important. You probably want to impress them but this should not come at the expense of your health. If you are injured or not feeling well, let your teacher know so that they can adapt the class to your needs.

Follow our advice and you’re sure to create a long-lasting relationship with any teacher that will help you to become the best yogi you know!