22 Ways to Use Invitational Language in Your Yoga Classes

Published November 15, 2023 06:59AM

And it’s one that we are seeing more and more often, especially in the yoga industry. In its simplest terms, trauma is defined as “a distressing or disturbing experience.” As we learn more about trauma, we’re becoming more aware that every human experiences some form of trauma in their lifetime.

Certain situations can inadvertently trigger longheld emotions from the body and mind, a concept that has been increasingly explored in recent years, including in the groundbreaking book The Body Keeps the Score by psychiatrist and trauma researcher Bessel van der Kolk.

This means that whenever yoga teachers are taking others through their practice, even if we are not intending to lead a “trauma-informed yoga” class, we are working with individuals who have likely experienced an array of distressing life events.

Those triggers can include certain cues or even the tone of voice experienced in yoga class. One way that yoga teachers can help keep the yoga space relatively trauma-free is through the use of “invitational language.” This is when teachers omit commands and replace them with suggestions on how students can explore the yoga practice.

Teachers are often unaware that they speak to students in commands, which take the form of common cues such as, “Raise the right hand,” “lift the foot,” “I want you to,” and any sort of “do this” or “don’t do that.” Without the teacher intending any sort of dominance, these types of cues can create the sense of the teacher being in control and knowing what is best for the student.

This can lead to students injuring themselves or, in some cases, having an intense and unexpected emotional response that may be confusing and distracting.

Invitational language asks your student to listen to their own body and forge a more self-aware relationship with themselves. Invitational language creates an experience that shows students the practice is theirs and not ours.

Ultimately, the role of the yoga teacher is to help guide the student to self-realization about their practice and their body. “As a student, I find invitational language more comforting for my own safe expression of asana,” says Robin Golden Trotter, a yoga teacher and licensed massage therapist. “As a teacher, I see invitational language gives students greater freedom.”

Invitational language is also essential when keeping classes inclusive, whether you’re being mindful of populations that are neurodiverse or that have experienced a loss of control in their environment, including victims of emotional and physical abuse and those who are incarcerated.

Not every cue needs to include this type of language. But as teachers, we have a responsibility to challenge ourselves to remind students that they are ultimately in control of their practice. This is the ultimate goal of yoga. As teachers, our role is to show up for their experience, not ours.

22 Ways to Integrate Invitational Language Into Your Teaching

I find that teachers are often overwhelmed by the idea of changing their well-honed cueing. They’re also afraid of sounding like a broken record and turning their students off by repeating, “I invite you to…” every other pose.

But there are numerous kinds of invitational verbiage that can keep your class dynamic and be sensitive to students who’ve experienced trauma. The more phrases you explore, the more you’ll understand what feels authentic to your teaching. Here are some suggestions for using “invitational” language in your classes:

With practice, this kind of language can become a natural part of your communication as a teacher and create a more inclusive experience for your students.

About Our Contributor
Denver Clark, ERYT-500, C-IAYT, LMT, is the program director for the Yoga Therapy school at Heartwood Yoga Institute in Bradenton, Florida. She’s been teaching and training teachers for over 15 years. She is an anatomy and physiology teacher and licensed massage therapist and specializes in yoga therapy for anxiety, depression and body image, all of which she has personal experience with. Denver lives in Florida with her Husband and two amazing daughters and she strives to incorporate mindful awareness into her family life as well as self-acceptance when she isn’t perfect, which she has found to be the most difficult yoga practice yet.

22 Ways to Use Invitational Language in your Yoga Classes (And Why It’s Important)

22 Ways to Integrate Invitational Language Into Your Teaching