BE

LISTEN
BREATHE HEAL
OM SAMADHI
TRANSFORM
MEDITATE

LOVE YOGA FEEL

LENGTHEN PRANA IGNITE

AWAKEN LET GO
EXPLORE
PLAY
ROOT

Developing
MINDFUL LANGUAGE AS A TOOL FOR TRANSFORMATION

By, Michelle Linane & Taraneh Sarrafzadeh

 Introduction
Language is a very powerful tool used in the yoga room. With
our voice, we guide students through the practice of yoga, so
what we say and how we say it is central to what students
experience.

At the basic level, our words guide students into asana,

pranayama and mediation. On a slightly deeper level the
words we choose and the energy behind them set the tone,
mood and theme of class. On a deeper level yet, our words
become gentle clues of insight into the subtle nuances of
transformation that occur in body, breath and mind.

Thus, we want to choose words that are not only clear and
effective guides for asana, but words that inspire and
encourage an inner sense of awareness and exploration.

Some instructors have a natural knack for weaving mindful

vocabulary into their teachings, but for most of us it takes work
and patience to develop this skill. This guide is designed to
help you balance clear & effective cues while inspiring self
awareness and transformation.

Let's get started with some general language guidelines.

 General Guidelines
1. Ease Up on the Yoga Lingo

Awaken pada bandha. Externally rotate your thigh. Shine

your heart. While these are fundamental cues, consider who
you are teaching and how relatable these terms are to them.
External thigh rotation may be too technical. Shine your heart
may be too abstract. Engage pada bandha may be too
technical and abstract.

Now, were not saying leave these cues out all together. Try
using plain language and a bit of explanation. For example,
from Cobra Pose press the tailbone towards the heels, lift from
the chest and shine your heart forward. In Tadasana, evenly
press down through the ball and heel of the foot. Firming the
thighs, lift the ankles and inner arches of the feet awakening
pada bandha. Be clear in cues while inspiring a deeper
understanding. Additionally, when using the Sanskrit name of
an asana, always accompany it with the English translation.

2. Passive vs Direct

Our verbal cues can be direct or passive depending on how

we deliver them. Mark Stephens explains in his book Teaching
Yoga: Essential Foundations and Techniques, Verbs of action
such as press your fingers or breathe deeply have more of a
command quality than their noun forms, which tend to be
more encouraging: pressing your fingers or breathing deeply.
Students, especially beginners, need direct actionable cues.
Yet, our passive language creates a nurturing space for self-
exploration.

Being the kind-hearted, warriors of peace that we are, yoga

teachers tend to get lost in words of encouragement. We end
up taking our students down a sing-songy path of imagery
and seemingly never-ending ings, and our students check
out. We need to find balance. Mark Stephens continues to
suggest, try offering the stronger verbs of action when
cueing what you consider the most important foundational
actions of an asana, then use softer language to cue
refinements and inner exploration. Thus, be effective in your
cueing while simultaneously encouraging a deeper journey.

3. Be Yourself

Theres nothing more important than being your authentic self.

Students can pick up on a fake performance, so if flowery
vocabulary just isnt your thing, then dont force it. You have
other strengths and qualities that attract students to you. But,
dont be afraid to practice either. If mindful language
resonates with you and is something youd like to integrate
into your teaching style, then practice. Just because it doesnt
come to you as easily as it may for others, doesnt mean
youre being inauthentic. Like yoga, it takes practice, patience
and discovery.
 Practice Techniques
1. Direct Action Verbs & Vibrant Variations

The words we choose can further embody the energetic

actions or theme of a class. For example, if your class is
focused on grounding your students, you can use grounding
language such as root down the feet and plant your hands
on the earth instead of merely press. If your class is a morning
class designed to energize, use language such as radiate the
fingertips outward, awaken the core, beam the gaze
forward to further cultivate a sense of brightness and
awakening.

Other times, we simply get stuck in patterns using the same

vocabulary. and out technique could use a refresh.

Below are a few examples of direct action verbs (in bold),

followed by more vibrant variations if you wish to spice
things up. As a reminder, be aware of how and when you use
these verbs. Be direct when you need to and vibrant when its
appropriate. Use a strong and direct action verb the first time
around in an asana, then try using a more vibrant verb the next
time.

Note: most of these words can be used interchangeably, so

please play and explore.
Press the feet: ground/root your feet, steady your feet

Lengthen the spine: elongate your spine, grow the spine tall

Draw: radiate, reach, grow, stretch

Engage: awaken, ignite, fire-up

Raise: lift, elevate, boost

Open: expand, spread, inflate

Look: gaze, beam, glance, focus, turn the eyes toward

Extend the arms up: reach the arms up, stretch the arms up,
circle the arms up

Step the foot: place your foot, guide your foot

Relax: calm, soften, ease, let go, release tension, feel light

2. Experiential words
(notice, feel, sense, observe)

As we guide students toward proper form, we can use words

of encouragement to help students tune into and experience
their bodies. Far too often, the voice of our bodies is muted by
the voice of our ego and mind. As teachers, we have the
opportunity to guide students back into their physical bodies
and invite them to explore. In this process of self-discovery the
mind-body connection is renewed and students learn to listen
to their bodies feedback.

Below are some examples of how we can speak more

directly to the body.

Observe & notice: In basic Breath Awareness, direct students

to observe the breath and to notice what is. Sense and feel the
movement of breath within. Where can you feel and hear the
breath? Notice what movement initiates the breath. Observe
the natural pauses between each breath. Become aware of
what fluctuations you sense in the mind.

Feel: In Warrior II, ask students: What does is feel like? What
changes in sensation do you feel as you press more firmly
through the feet? How does it feel to reach from fingertip to
fingertip? In doing so what happens in the chest?

Feel & sense: In Tadasana, root down through the feet and
create a feeling of drawing up energetically through the crown
of the head. Notice the space created through the spine. Feel
the spine lengthen. Sense any tension that arises and breath
into it, releasing and letting go.

Feel & observe: In a flowing sequence, remind students to feel

the rhythmic flow of sensation and breath in the body.
Observe how and where the breath flows in the body.
3. Imagery
(similies & metaphors)

In his article The Art Of Dynamic Language, Danny Arguetty

states, The ability to communicate images and specific body
actions as they relate to a theme is an essential tool for
teaching yoga. In general, it is valuable to compile a collection
of similes and metaphors that can be used for teaching certain
technical ideas. Images make instruction more stimulating and
interesting, and they give visual learners an added tool to take
in auditory cues. Here are a few similes and metaphors you
can add to your tool bag.

Spread your hand and fingers wide like a starfish.

Yoga is like music. The rhythm of the body, the melody

of the mind, and the harmony of the soul, create the
symphony of life. B.K.S. Iyengar

Folding forward in Uttanasana, let the torso hang heavily

like a waterfall pouring from the hips over the legs and
towards the ground.

Let your mind float away like clouds in the sky.

Stand tall and still like a mountain.

Round the spine upwards like a cat stretching.

 In seated meditation, relax the belly forward like
Buddha, releasing any holding or tensing in the core.

In teaching Ujjayi, offer these images: Breathing through

your nose, imagine fogging a mirror in front of you with
your breath. With a strong breath in and out through the
nose, breathe like Darth Vader. Inhaling and exhaling
through your nose, use your breath to create the sound
like the ocean.

4. Steadiness & Ease

Sthira and sukham- steadiness and ease- give the asanas

their transformative foundation, Mark Stephens, Teaching
Yoga. Thus, our voice isnt just about imagery and vibrant
verbs. One of the most insightful ways we can use our voice as
a tool for transformation, is to ensure that we are teaching the
concept of steadiness and ease. Without both these
qualities, there is no asana T. K. V. Desikachar, The Heart of
Yoga: Developing A Personal Practice.

This is precisely where and how transformation takes place.

By encouraging sthira sukham, we guide students deeper
inside where they learn to listen and honor their bodies,
acknowledging where they are and being ok with it. By using
the breath as a barometer and tool for cultivating steadiness
and ease, the separateness of mind and body begins to
dissolve. In these experiential moments, students practice
mindfulness, discover self-acceptance and cultivate an ever
deeper awareness of their selves as whole beings. This, my
friends, is transformation.

Aplication Tips
Take note of the verbs, expressions, and similes that resonate
with you in your own practice and teach from that experience.

Write it down. Dont be afraid to jot a few words or phrases

down on a notepad or journal and bring it with you to class.
Keep it in a low key area like the alter, next to your mat or
water bottle, and glance at when you need a reminder.

Dont let moments of inspiration pass you by. We all have

those moments when we see or hear something that ignites a
flame inside. It might be something another teacher said while
you were taking their class or something you read in a book
that fills you with joy and inspiration. You think to yourself,
Ooo thats good, I should say that too! but, then you
dont remember what it was or how they said it, and its gone
like the wind. Instead, take a minute to write it down (your
phone notepad is quite convenient), so you can reflect on it
later and integrate it into your teaching.
Practice. Practice teaching with family and friends helps you
smooth out the wrinkles for a seamless integration of say, a
new metaphor. Or practice on your own, speaking aloud as
your guide yourself and practice your new vocabulary.

Guides of Transformation
As teachers, we are guides on the yoga path and the most
powerful compass we have is our voice. If we choose to do so,
our words can help students navigate a winding path of
transformation they might not otherwise explore on their own.

Before your classes, think about your intention in teaching

transformation. For some teachers and students, this may be a
very physical transformation, i.e. increased flexibility, achieving
a perfect asana, muscle strength etc. In this regard, yoga
becomes the accomplishment of something and our jobs as
guides down such goal-oriented paths would be easier.

But yoga is not a practice of attainment; it is an unending

process of self discovery and self-transformation, explains
Mark Stephens in Teaching Yoga. He continues stating, In this
process, teachers are facilitators and guides who offer
insightful encouragement along each students unique path as
it evolves, breath by breath. All one really needs to practice
yoga is intention."
So, why do you teach yoga? Getting clear with your
intention for teaching will impact all other areas of teaching.

Not sure what your intention is or need to reconnect with it?

Check out our supporting guide to help you explore your
teaching intention.

Happy Teaching!

Peace, love & light

Michelle & Taraneh