Not all yoga classes are created equal. Because yoga is meant to be a transformative process, teaching yoga requires a different skill set than teaching only a fitness class.

Of course, teaching a great yoga class requires specific technical knowledge, but a well-trained teacher will go above and beyond in an effort to create a space that is welcoming, safe, and inclusive.

Here are a few things to consider when searching for a yoga teacher:

A green flag yoga teacher will teach more than a Western fitness class.
They have an innate ability to tie together the philosophical component of yoga with the physical practice. They offer mental practices relevant to daily life, giving the tools to apply them off the mat. 

When the class description says it is appropriate for all levels, a green flag yoga teacher teaches an all-level class.
The teacher will not expect students to know poses and their names. 
They will use precise cues and language to help students transition into the pose and build the alignment of the pose safely from the ground up while offering different options. 

A green flag yoga teacher avoids language that creates a hierarchy of poses, like ‘advanced vs. beginner.’ They will use terms like ‘option’ or ‘variation’ instead of ‘modify’ or ‘modification.’ This makes it about choice rather than physical ability. 
A green flag teacher will normalize using different options and remind students of their personal agency. 

A green flag yoga teacher offers an experience, a process-focused practice, rather than a goal-oriented one based on aesthetics or reaching a particular ‘level’ of a pose.
They will encourage exploration in a pose – replacing how it looks with how it feels. 

A green flag teacher avoids blanket statements that label how a pose or practice should feel and encourages investigation without a right or wrong answer.
They understand that everyone comes from a different background and life experience, and therefore, everyone will not feel the same or have the same response to a pose or class. 

A green flag yoga teacher is constantly evolving. 
They understand that study and learning never end. They give space for their teaching to grow, change, and evolve. They are not afraid to tell a student: I don’t know. 
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Lyn holds both in-person and online yoga teacher training. If you are interested in becoming a ‘green flag’ yoga teacher, you can check out her programs here:
200-Hour In-Person Yoga Teacher Training
Online Program Platform