I consider myself a yoga leader and not so much an instructor. I "accidentally" became the leader of a small informal group when the "instructor" could no longer teach. I wanted to keep it going (more for personal reasons) and invited others to practice with me. So, I'm still learning and researching, but I don't think I'll be doing this professionally. The other instructor had been practicing Bikram and Hatha for 20 years and I've only been doing it for two and we meet once a week (for free). I am trying to lose some weight, so I also do a cardio/strength combo work out, yoga/pilaties videos at home. We usually do a combo of sun salutations, Bikram, and pilaties, and I would like to add light hand weights.

My group has mixed abilities and also health issues which I'm probably inadequate to address. Most of them are older than me, but I have told them to participate at their own risk (according to their doctor) and modify the poses or improvise. One of my students has wrist, shoulder, neck issues. Another has neck, shoulder, and back. I have had some wrist pain lately (not related to exercise) and through yoga, I discovered my right hip is slightly lower than left (old injury?). I've had good feedback from the class and I always feel relaxed but focused and energized to start the day.

I'm doing my best, but I know I need to improve. 1) Breathing!!! I feel uncoordinated when it's explained to me but, simply put, I say breathe in/out through your nose/expanding ribs/diaphragm throughout the poses. I have slight asthma and allergies so breathing free and clear is sometimes not natural to me. 2) Finding the words: vocabulary, calmness, benefits, and explaining the steps into/out of the pose.

Anyway, I would like an evaluation and some feedback or advice from other novices and professionals. Your thoughts are appreciated :)

Post edited by: higirl4ever, at: 2013/03/19 10:20