The Yoga of Connection

Teaching partner yoga can help students get outside of themselves—and into their relationships.

By Rachel Brahinsky

With classes designed for romantic couples, Matkin suggests setting a special atmosphere. "Make it really vibe-y: Have candles, have hors d'oeuvres, leave time to talk to people before and after. It's almost more like a social event, like a date night." Plus, he adds, soft lighting can help new students ease into unknown territory. And, jokes Matkin, "everyone looks better in the dark!"

Setting the most comfortable atmosphere you can will help when difficult moments arise, as couples wrestle with their different ability levels, or as they express relationship patterns through yoga struggles. "Often in the deeper, more committed relationships, the imbalances in the relationship will emerge in class," says Sauer-Klein. The yoga then becomes "a means to exploring communication and cooperation, and finding a place where both people feel supported and can speak their needs." When problems emerge, she says, offer neutral mediation. "Restate what they are saying to each other" to guide clearer communication. Then, "bring them back to their breath. Once that happens, people usually can get in the pose and have fun."

Those skills will likely be put to good use by your students outside of the classroom as well. For San Francisco yogis Amy Taylor and Brian Chetcuti, partner yoga helps facilitate better communication in their relationship. After a recent disagreement, they decided to take a walk together. They set out tentatively at first, each holding on to the sense of being right. Then, Taylor recalls, things shifted when they decided to stop and practice yoga. "The way we reconnected was by doing a pose together—that broke the silence, in a playful way."

Adds Chetcuti, "One of the principles of yoga is union with others, and recognizing yourself in other people. We saw that though we have two different approaches, we do have common ground. We had started out walking separately; by the end, we were walking hand in hand."

Rachel Brahinsky is a writer and yoga teacher in San Francisco. For more information about partner yoga, visit www.acroyoga.org, www.matkinyoga.com, and www.deeppeaceyoga.com.

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