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This is Part 2 of a summarised version of a research project Beth completed
for her SOYA 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training. Part 1 can be read in the
Asana Archives here at Languaging
Yoga Instruction.
In Part 1 of this article, Beth discussed how as Yoga Teachers,
we influence our students through our words. Yoga Instructors must give
precise instructions to safely guide students in and out of poses, all while
sharing benefits and precautions and encouragement. Then she tells us “What
to Say”. In Part 2, we will learn “How to Say It”.
How to Say It
1. The Mechanics of Speech: We can break language
down into various aspects each deserving of an in-depth study. Diction, syntax,
cadence, semantics, even psycholinguistics, form our style of communication.
We might simply look at enunciation, sentence formation, rhythm, literal
meanings, and the use of Sanskrit to enhance our delivery. Take your efforts
in whatever direction you wish, or simply become aware.
2. Stylizing our Language: This is an interesting
area of communication. Erich Shiffmann’s verbal style is both distinctive
and unforgettable. I can hear his voice still, having participated in a
weekend of classes with him in Toronto many years ago. To my ear Shiffmanns’
voice sounds nasal and sing-song and quite transporting. At YJ online, an
article entitled “Uncommon Respect, Part Two” discusses command language.
The author, Aadil Palkhivala suggests that “fluffy”, non-directional instruction
is more confusing to the brain than direct commands. The authors’ advice
is to tell the student what to do rather than what should be done; “lift
the spine” rather than “the spine lifts in this posture”. Modulating the
tone when employing this technique will soften the delivery and keep you
from sounding like a football coach. On the other hand, I once had a teacher
whose style is exactly counter to Command language. She would instruct,
“feet step wide” rather than “step feet wide”. Her specific tone and delivery
sounded “channelled” to me and quite pleasing. There is no right and wrong.
There are lots of ways to experiment.
3. Vocal Volume: A quiet voice may be employed
in postures such as Janu
Shirshasana, nhancing the introspective aspect inherent in forward bends.
Amping up the volume for strong postures like Virabhadrasana and Utkatasana
may instigate their powerful execution. Visualizations, Shavasana, and
Yoga Nidra call for both a softer tone and a slower pace but the student
should never have to strain to hear your voice clearly. While tweaking
some aspects of our delivery, we must never settle for anything less than
our authentic voice.
4. The Pause: In silence we may hear the “inarticulate
speech of the heart” as Van Morrison has so beautifully expressed. Beyond
words, our experience is more direct, universal and open. We begin to allow
everything to arise and pass through our mental landscape. When verbal
instruction ceases, the mind can slip into pure presence. Yoga is that.
5. Non-verbal Communication: Since only 7% of communication
involves words, what are we saying outside of our words? In “Blink”, Malcolm
Gladwell’s book about how we know some things without actually studying
them, the author describes, “thin-slicing”. This is his terminology for
“filtering out the very few factors that matter from an overwhelming number
of variables.” Gladwell wows the reader with remarkable examples of people
who process certain things instantaneously, in the blink of an eye. We all
thin-slice non-verbal cues every moment. Facial expression, eye movements,
body language, paralanguage such as voice quality, emotion, speaking style,
intonation and emphasis all speak volumes. As it will take time to develop
awareness of what we are communicating with our body and our emotions, let’s
cultivate a habit of warm smiles, gentle eye contact and occasional nods
of approval. Smiles are good for the person smiling and for the lucky recipient.
Coming from our “highest self” in our role as instructor will ensure that
only love is being communicated.
6. Mantra and Chanting: At the turn of the century,
Alfred Tomatis, a French ENT, ears, nose, throat specialist and researcher,
found that some higher frequency sounds such as those heard in Gregorian
Chants (up to 8000 hz) charged up the CNS – central nervous system and cortex
of the brain. The body operates on its own unique resonant frequency. A
process known as entrainment explains how a more powerful vibration can override
a weaker vibration. Our heart rate, respiratory pattern and brain waves
can all be shifted through entrainment. Those who have practised Mantra and
Chanting will attest to the powerful effects of sound on our psyche and indeed
our brainwaves. Incorporate mantra and chanting when you are ready and enjoy
the ride.
What then do we know about language and Yoga instruction?
A friend and fellow Yoga instructor in Toronto, Casey Rock,
said this about the role of language in our teaching. “As teachers we all
try to speak from a core of experience--our authenticity coming out of our
mouths and through our gestures even if we are not always feeling the most
confident. A kind of seamlessness and egolessness is our intention in teaching.
We attempt to be conduits for the things we believe in. We try to get out
of the way, leave our egos at the door and come from our stillpoint informed
by our studies, relying on our higher self. It is an act of faith each
time we step into our role”.
1 “Blink”, Malcolm Gladwell, 2005, Little, Brown
and Company, Time Warner Book Group, New York. (on the jacket)
My sense of awe and appreciation for the gift of language
is tempered with the humble knowledge that in the end it’s not up to me.
We must leave the actual delivery and reception of “inspired language” to
our guides, higher self, God.
Every moment presents a new opportunity to express.
If you would like to read the entire Specialty Research Project
by Beth Sukha-Barker, please email info@soyayoga.com
and request it to be emailed to you in pdf format.
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