Follow Us

If I like it and decide to continue, I'll pay just $16.95, and receive a full one-year subscription (9 issues in all), a 69% savings off the newsstand price! If for any reason I decide not to continue, I'll write "cancel" on the invoice and owe nothing.
Full Name:

Address 1:

Address 2:

City:
State:
 Zip Code:
Email (required):

Your subscription includes 4 FREE downloadable booklets: Submit my order or click here to pay now and save $3!

Offer valid in US only.
Canadian subscriptions | International subscriptions

CLOSE WINDOW

Today's Daily Tip

Practice Patience

The goal of yoga is enlightenment . That's it. Yoga was originally developed to lead the practitioner to freedom from suffering ... (continued)

Print Print Email Email Comment Comment Add to Favorites
Log in to save to My Yoga Journal!
Add to Favorites 		Bookmark Bookmark

Ask Our Expert: David Swenson

How can I make my classes more interesting now so my students keep coming back? How do I find a mentor? How do I approach a difficult student, when I'm substituting another teacher's class? Read answers from Mentor expert David Swenson.

By David Swenson

Mentor Expert Questions

Submit your own questions for our expert panel here.

Patience with Negative Students

Anxiety Attacks in Yoga Class

The Importance of Savasana

Regaining Lost Confidence

Seeking Balance

When Students Snore

Repetition Versus Variety

Lost in Doubt

Take a Breath

Yoga and Hinduism

Tips on Flying

Take Teaching to the Next Level

Competition Problems

Addressing Stiff Knees and Hips

Speed Limits

Finding a Mentor

Headaches during Asana

Maintaining Interest

See All Mentor Experts Articles »

Print Print Email Email Comment Comment Add to Favorites
Log in to save to My Yoga Journal!
Add to Favorites 		Bookmark Bookmark

Subscribe to Yoga Journal Magazine

Reader Comments

Cathy

Hi David,
I have a 50 year old male student with bladder problems. Could you advise me of which practices would be most helpful and what he should avoid.
Thans
Cathy S

Susan

Hi David,
I recently qualified as a Youga teacher and have never taught a class before. I have my first class coming up next week (standing in for a friend with much experience), and I am so nervous. Every time I sit down to do a lesson plan, I draw a complete blank. I have to teach a one hour Hatha class to complete beginers who struggle with Surya Namaskar. Everyone tells me to just get in there and teach whatever comes to mind but I don't feel I have enough experience for that and I am so nervous as it is. I want them to experience the joy of yoga. The same joy that lead me to want to teach even though I am shy to speak in public. Please can you help me. I don't know where else to turn. I don't know what to teach them or how to steady my nerves or make the words flow. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you so much
Susan

alexa

Some of my students have asked for music to be played during the class. I always put on soft music for savasana, but not during the body of the class. My initial reaction is not to do it, because I feel it would be distracting, but I have never done it, so I really don't know. What are your thoughts?
Thanks, Alexa B

See All Comments »      Add a Comment »

Your Name:

Comment:

Join Yoga Journal's Benefits Plus

Liability insurance and benefits to support teachers and studios.

Learn More »

Enter to Win Great Prizes!

Enter to Win Great Prizes! Enter the latest Yoga Journal sweepstakes for your chance to win fabulous prizes!

Enter Now »
Full Name
Address 1
Address 2
City:
State:
Zip Code:
Email (req):

If I like Yoga Journal and decide to continue, I'll pay just $16.95, and receive a full one-year subscription (9 issues in all), a 69% savings off the newsstand price!