5 Tips: Teaching Yoga for Seniors
After 13 years of teaching Yoga primarily focused on making the practices accessible and therapeutic for seniors, these are my 5 tips for teaching successful and safe group classes.
Don’t assume anything about ability based solely on age.
There are seniors who have been practicing Yoga longer than we have been alive. Then there are seniors who may be walking in for their very first Yoga class ever! A warm welcome and congratulations to you! A good question to ask is “Do you practice Yoga regularly?” I generally find students don't simply answer with yes or no, but share a bit about their wellness journey whether Yoga is their primary practice or not. They also tend to share how many classes they have been to or how many years they have been practising.
Educate yourself on common health concerns among this age group.
When a new student enters, ask them if they have anything going on with their body that you should know about. The following are the most common concerns in my senior classes: Osteoporosis, Osteopenia, Spondylosis, Hip/Knee replacement, rotator cuff surgery, arthritis, and challenges with balance. Learn safe variations of postures to accommodate these concerns.
Remind students to listen to their body.
Explain the difference between a stretching sensation and pain. Tell your students if they experience any pain, back out of the posture or skip it all together. As you get to know them better you can discuss appropriate alternative postures.
Start balancing postures against the wall for support.
Starting all participants against the wall helps to normalize using the wall for support. Encourage students who feel a little unsteady to remain at the wall and repeat the same posture a few times. Invite students who feel steady to try stepping away from the wall to try the posture without the support. Ex: Tree Pose, Dancer Pose, Eagle Pose.
Group similar postures together.
Getting up and down off the floor can be challenging and cause fatigue for this age group.
Group the postures in your sequence so all standing postures are done together, then all seated postures are done together.
As with any student, the more you get to know them, the more you are able to help them reach their goals with their practice. I encourage you to continue your education as a Yoga teacher to learn how to effectively modify postures and adapt the practice to accommodate the common concerns among this age group. Above all we want to do no harm and keep our students safe as they progress in their Yoga practice. Learning how to offer variations in a group class keeps the atmosphere inclusive, challenging and inviting for all ages.