I Turn Off The Lights So You Can Feel Your Ass. And Spine.
I don't teach like a lot of other teachers.
I don't stick with the dialogue that I was taught nearly 15 years ago to recite from memory. Instead, I prefer to focus on alignment using real words to connect to in order to get students to grab their foot the right way or activate their glutes - as squeezing the butt cheeks super tight actually protects your spine and allows you to go deeper into backbends... (It's true. A strong ass is key to a healthy and flexible spine.)
And one thing I do differently than most other teachers... I turn the lights off in the floor series (usually the second half of class).
I truly don't know why other teachers don't do it. But as soon as they lay down for Savasana, I turn the lights off, set the ceiling fans to full blast, and open up the vents in the ceiling to get some fresh air inside.
Sometimes, I even open the doors for a few seconds.
All of this gets students into relaxation mode quickly - the most critical thing for Savasana. They need their body to get in the most where it can quickly get into Savasana and not move - allowing them to slow down their heart rate and just not move for a few seconds.
Then I spend the next 25-35 minutes (depending on if it's a 60 minute or 90 minute class) coaching them to feel their sponee and activate various parts of their body in the different poses.
"You don't need to see what you're doing. Feel it," is my advice.
The student enjoy the darkness because they don't have the light blaring down on them. And they dont get distracted looking in the mirror.
They can just be in the posture - whatever depth their body aligns.
"That was a great class," I usually hear from at least two people after.
I get compliments and "thank yous" for turning the lights out.
"I wish other teachers would turn them off," I will sometimes hear too.
I try not to touch that comment. Because each teacher has their own way.
But I definitely feel them. I wish other teachers would do it too.
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