Transcript - Seven ways to introduce Sanskrit into your yoga classes

Hello and welcome to For Yoga Teachers. This podcast has been created to help yoga teachers teach with passion, avoid burn out and earn a fair living.

We recently had a mini-series of quandaries and concerns and questions that yoga teachers often have;

Should yoga teachers use Sanskrit?

Should yoga teachers demo while teaching?

Should yoga teachers care about money?

Should yoga teachers care about competition from other yoga teachers?

A few episodes ago, we took a bit of time to explore the question ‘Should yoga teachers use Sanskrit?’ - and there was so many of you getting in touch to say you’d love to introduce Sanskrit in to your classes, but you’re not sure where o start, or what to say, and you don’t want to risk making your yogis feel like they have to understand Sanskrit in order to practice yoga.

So. This episode is the help you need! It’s 7 simple ways to introduce Sanskrit in to your yoga classes. As ever, here’s a sneak peek at where we’re going:

• Slow and steady - no need to rush

• Build confidence in your pronunciation

• Say it with the English

• Suggesting a mantra for your yogis

• Leading a chant

• Pranayama techniques

• Pick your class / workshop and yogis carefully

On The Base, we’ve got a pronunciation guide in our resources section for you to come back as often as you need to, to help with getting the pronunciation bang on, so Team Base keep your eyes peeled for that! If you’re not on the base yet, use the code COMMUNITY for 25% off for your first three months!

Ok, let’s get cracking with these seven simple ways to introduce Sanskrit in to your yoga classes:

Slow and steady - no need to rush

And honestly yoga teacher, this is really, really key. The rest of the six tips can be taken really slowly, in your own time, to help you build confidence. To help you understand when it’s adding to your teachings, not taking away.

I’ll say it again, slow and steady! You have the rest of your yoga career to work on introducing Sanskrit!

Build confidence in your pronunciation

You want to make sure that what you’re saying is right, right? In episode 41 we talked about Sanskrit and cultural appropriation; well, you could argue that Westernised pronunciation of Sanskrit words, such as Shakra, is exactly that.

But, you’re not on your own here! Wonderful expert teacher and author Hali Schwartz is leading us through a one day Sanskrit, Chanting and Philosophy training at Yoga Hero, so, if bringing Sanskrit in to your classes is a focus for you, or you want to know more for your own knowledge, this one day-er is perfect for you - it’s linked to in the show notes.

Say it with the English

When we talked about whether yoga teachers should use Sanskrit or not, one of the main concerns was that if people didn’t know what it meant, they might feel stupid, or worst still, it might lead to injury. One way to ensure that this doesn’t happen, is to add the English in as well. Something like, come to Samasthiti, Even standing pose, standing strong and tall at the front of your mat. This hasn’t taken ages to say but it covers all bases.

Of course, while you’re in the flow, especially if it a speedy-ish flow, you probably won’t have time to say the Sanskrit and the English for each pose! But, if you have a flow that repeats and isn’t too complicated, how about saying the English pose name and guidance first time around, and the Sanskrit second time?

Suggesting a mantra for your yogis

This is a lovely lovely way to introduce Sanskrit; especially if you class is a little slower or quite introspective or has some real meaning to it. This could be a mantra that you encourage your yogis to repeat to themself at specific points in your class, or you suggest it in Savasana and encourage your yogis to repeat it as they go through their day…

From the Sanskrit Glossary of Yoga Terms by Bihar Yoga, a mantra is a tool that liberates energy from the confines of mundane awareness and expands the consciousness when repeated! I mean wow! What a great opportunity to add Sanskrit to your classes and give your yogis and opportunity to expand their consciousness, talk about win win!

This could even be as simple as:

Tat tvam asi, meaning you are that, meaning you are already everything you’ve ever wanted and needed.

Leading a chant

I would imagine for some of you listening,  me included, this is the most nerve wracking option, but it doesn’t have to be a super long chant, it could Om gam ganapataye Yamaha for example.

This would free you up to explain the chant and it’s deeper meaning, lead the chant and let people repeat it if and when they wish.

Pranayama techniques

In episode 41, I mentioned that for me, pranayama is one of the words, one of the reasons that it’s important to keep Sanskrit alive; that saying ‘breathing techniques’ is safe and clear and tells people what they’re doing, but that pranayama, or indeed, prana-a-yama, means expanding the subtle healing energy, or not restraining our vitality, which is so meaningful and so inspiring!

By teaching pranayama, it gives you the opportunity to explain the meaning of prana a Yama! And often the Sanskrit terms for pranayama techniques also have a deeper meaning. If you’re keen to learn more about Pranayama, you most certainly want to learn from an absolute expert - take a look at the Traditional Hatha, Pranayama and Chakra Kriya course held by expert teacher and author Hali Schwartz, at Yoga Hero in May.

And finally…

Pick your class / workshop and yogis carefully

Our first tip was to take it slow and steady. This is another top tip, very practical, then when you first start to introduce Sanskrit in to your teachings, choose your offering, i.e. your class, your workshop, and your yogis, very carefully. For example, a fast Power Flow probably won’t give you the time to add in some extra bits and bobs, but a Slow Flow class, or a meditation class, might.

Similarly, if there’s always someone that comes to your Wednesday night class and has a resting confused face, or they give you quizzical looks when you teach something a bit different, that might not be the ideal time, but if there’s a bunch of yogis who love it when you add in some philosophy, or a bit of anatomical knowledge, they might be up for something new and really receptive.

I do hope you can join us on the 1st of June, for Hali Schwartz's day of Sanskrit, whether you're keen to sprinkle Sanskrit into your classes now, or it's something that you'll explore in the future. It's a must not miss day. It will really clear up your pronunciation of Sanskrit.

Let’s recap 7 simple ways to introduce Sanskrit in to your yoga classes.

• Slow and steady - no need to rush

• Build confidence in your pronunciation

• Say it with the English

• Suggesting a mantra for your yogis

• Leading a chant

• Pranayama techniques

• Pick your class / workshop and yogis carefully

I hope that's given you some food for thought, and some action steps, I’d love to hear from you and how you get on - definitely keep me posted! But above all yoga teacher, happy teaching.