Episode Details
Back to Episodes25. How to Start Class with Confidence: The First Five Minutes Matter Most
Description
The way you begin your yoga class determines everything that follows. In this episode, I break down how to create a welcoming environment, set clear expectations, and guide students into a focused and engaged practice. From greeting students to setting the tone with your voice, presence, and language, I’ll share practical strategies to ensure your class starts with confidence and ease.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
• Why the first five minutes are the most important
• How to create a welcoming environment before students arrive
• What to say (and what NOT to say) when greeting students
• The importance of setting clear expectations with the “five W’s and one H”
• How to guide an intentional class opening that transitions students into practice
• Common mistakes to avoid when starting class
• How to adapt your class opening for different audiences
September’s lesson plan in the Prep Station is Balance Play Trio. The recording is already waiting in the Movement Library, and I teach the plan live on Mondays, September 14, 21, and 28, at 6:00 p.m. Eastern, with 15 minutes afterward for your questions. Every class posts as a recording. It’s all part of the Yoga Class Prep Station, $39 a month.
Join us:
The next cohort of Mastering the Art of Yoga Sequencing Mentorship Membership—MMM, my six-month group mentorship for yoga teachers—starts in January 2027, and the wait list is open now. Doors open to the wait list first, in December, before anyone else hears about it. MMM is also the required half of the Comfort Zone Yoga 300-hour yoga teacher training.
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