Hari om,
I'm just starting to teach yoga and i'm finding it difficult mirroring the students when doing the asanas along with them, I keep getting left and right mixed up !! Is mirroring really important ? Has anyone got any tips on this or any other aspect of teaching ?

Yes, mirroring is hard and it is easy to get confused. For me twists are the hardest and it takes a lot of focus to not get mixed up. One trick that I use is I always wear a watch on my left hand, so it gives me an instant visual clue as to what hand is what. And like all things, the more you practice this, the easier it gets.

I think mirroring is super important as your students pick up on your body movement cues first and your verbal cues second. It makes it much easier for them to use you as their mirror, rather to have them have to think how to reverse what you are showing. Mastering mirroring will make you a stronger and more effective teacher.

hi Timothy
thanks for the advice on mirroing, i started to use a marker on my left hand and foot and it really helped when doing the asanas along with the students, they really do benefit from it.
thanks again
joe

Mirroring continues to be one of my biggest challenges. Even after teaching for several years, I still struggle with it. I used to wear a ring on my left hand, which helped. Now that I'm not wearing it anymore, I need to find a new trick. I've been contemplating "R" and "L" tatoos :^), but the marker sounds even better!

bless, Kelly

A common trick of fitness instructors is to place a big "R" and "L" in the upper corners of the back of the room. Works like a charm. I personally use my wedding ring on my left hand as a reference.

I agree, twists are really hard to mirror! I'm chuckling because sometimes there are noticeable pauses "bringing the.... right hand over the left knee, go ahead and look over your... left shoulder." Heh.

Over time, though, I have been able to ingrain the mirroring by just saying the opposite of whatever immediately pops to mind. I first started mirroring when I was doing Les Mills choreographed programs, and people did do things like writing "L" and "R" on their opposite feet. While it takes awhile (as with anything), a little practice will have you tossing out your lefts and rights in no time! Didn't someone say it only takes 21 times for a behavior to become a habit? ;-D Repost and let us know how it's going now!

eYoga
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