Another way teachers influence students is through how they see them.
It’s easy to focus only on alignment or how a pose looks.
For example, a teacher might notice a slight bend in the front leg in Warrior II and immediately cue the student to bend deeper. This centers the teacher’s idea of what is “right,” rather than the student’s experience.
Instead, step back and take in the bigger picture.
Ask yourself:
- What is the student’s energy today?
- What is their facial expression telling me?
- Are they tense or fatigued?
Every student arrives with a life outside the studio—work stress, family responsibilities, loss, celebration.
When teachers remember this, they are less likely to treat students as problems to fix.
Instead, they begin to see whole human beings.
Two simple ways to center the student:
Student check-in
Invite awareness and choice.
For example: “How does this pose feel in your body? If you can breathe comfortably and feel stable, you might explore bending the front knee a bit more.”
Recognize the wins
Acknowledge what is working before offering refinement.
For example: “Great stability in your back leg. Now you might explore bending the front knee a little more.”
