Yoga in the Gym
Today someone asked me a question about how to approach teaching in a gym? She felt that most people coming to her class in the gym approached yoga differently. That they come to sweat it out! Not interested in the “yoga philosophy”.
These days there is a lot of discussion about how the “spiritual side” of yoga seems to disappear in the west, and how it becomes too physically orientated.
And yes, I can see how it can get physically orientated, and with less emphasize on the spiritual teachings. But personally I don’t think there is anything wrong with that. You can incorporate simple truths in your down to earth teaching, if that is what people are looking for.
You can remind them to be aware, present to the sensations. You can call them back to their breath, how being present grounds you in the moment, and how being aware of the reality of this moment relaxes the body and mind more than going off in thoughts. Allow people to experience that. And that very experience will open doors inside them to want to know more about their true nature.
So teaching people in the gym is a grateful job, they may still have a lot to discover about themselves! Be creative in your ways to bring some of the truth’s in an approachable way into your teaching. Be grateful for the act of teaching in itself, no matter who is in front of you :)
Namaste,
Esther
- Posted in Yoga News
- 5 Comments »
5 Comments
Hi Esther
Thank you for a wonderful website. I currently teach yoga in a gym. Yoga is so popular that it is offered 6 times a week with different instructors. I have also heard comments from people about people wanting more of a physical workout. I try to offer differentiated instruction to those who want to take their practice a litlle further than the beginning student. I am indeed grateful to be practicing yoga with such a diverse group of people! Thank you for your uplifting videos and reminders that we can be at peace where ever we are in our world.
Comment by Lynn Jan 22, 10, 11:12 pmI agree with this; I think that yoga in a gym is definitely more commercialized, but in this day in age, necessary. Most people don’t have time to go to a class. So if the ‘western’ approach is a bit more physically oriented, so be it! America is not nearly as healthy as it needs to be anyways and I don’t think that people should really be complaining that others want to ‘get physical’, so to speak. That being said, thanks for your advice on how to stay centered and grounded through it all.
Comment by Alyssa Jan 23, 10, 4:34 pmThank you Esther for your comments. I teach at a gym 3 times a week and have found it very rewarding. I have absolute beginners as well as seasoned yogis in the same classes and that has challenged me to pay attention and teach to all levels at the same time. My teaching has improved greatly in the last six months. The students who attend my classes are very grateful. I find the biggest challenge is to get the gym management to understand the value of yoga.
Comment by Blissful Girl Jan 24, 10, 1:36 pmYes, yes yes!! I teach yoga at a studio and will begin to teach at a gym on the 8th! Although I began taking yoga in a studio I have been a gym rat for the past 20 yrs so I understand the gym/workout/sweat mentality. I love what you shared Ester! I’m looking at my opportunity to teach in a gym setting as just that, an opportunity to reach people that may otherwise not be reached outside the gym, and an opportunity to share something I’m passionate about in the hopes that someone else will eventually make their own personal discovery of yoga and what it can do for their life! I’m excited!!
Comment by Kristina Jan 30, 10, 9:17 pmHi Esther, yoga is also extremely popular in gyms in ireland. There’s some high quality instructors however some gyms simply have the class but without a fully trained practitioner.
Comment by Dublin Gyms Feb 19, 10, 11:54 pm