OBSERVATION OF ONE OF MAUREEN'S YOGA CLASSES

by Jane Nicol, Trainee Yoga Teacher

Conducted in December 2024 as part of Yoga Teacher Training program

Background:

I was keen to watch a lesson taught in a non-gym/non-studio setting and Maureen’s name was recommended to me. Permission was gained to observe Maureen teach through email correspondence.

Prior to the lesson:

I was greeted and warmly welcomed by the teacher. Interestingly, she shared that she runs a ‘block payment’ alongside a ‘pay as you go’ scheme for her students. As her students turned up, it was very apparent from the relaxed and friendly atmosphere, that the class was attended by regulars. The teacher and students knew each other well and all were on first name terms.

The lesson:

The lesson started with centring/grounding and 2 breathwork practices before an asana practice. The asana practice included: sun salutations, standing balance poses and then floor based work. The class ended with relaxation and chanting ‘Om’.

Prior to the teaching, the appropriateness of the room’s temperature was monitored and adjusted. Shortly into the lesson, the lighting was switched on due to evening approaching.

Throughout the lesson the teacher’s voice was gentle, clear, concise and clearly audible over the backing soundtrack. She demonstrated all the poses and used encouraging cues to help her students. She skilfully balanced cueing poses as she demonstrated, observing her students and verbally adjusting as required.

As students moved through the sequence, each section was introduced separately with the teacher mirroring her students from the front. Modifications for poses were offered as necessary, alternative versions of poses were also presented.

Breath and body awareness cues were weaved through each section. Cues to activating the Bandhas were also given when appropriate, allowing participants to experience the same pose differently within their body. Sanskrit names were used throughout.

During the majority of the class the teacher taught from the front of the class with no physical adjustments. When inversions were being offered, the teacher supported her students into the poses both physically and verbally. With her friendly and gentle manner, she assisted them in moving towards their intentions/ambitions.

Students were continuously encouraged to be kind to themselves, honouring their bodies as they are today.

Learning Points:

From quite early on I noticed that the students knew exactly what they were doing. They had all come prepared with their own blankets and blocks. As the session started and without even being asked to do so, they were all snuggled up under the blankets as they ‘arrived’.

During the class, I also noticed that a couple of the students moved into the next pose before the teacher had cued it. I wrote in my notes ‘well-trodden path’. At the end of the session, I spoke to the teacher and she shared that she taught a very similar routine in her classes. She does so intentionally, she explained that yoga is a meditative practice and that by using a predictable and familiar sequence allows students to access their experience contemplatively. She further explained that any new poses are introduced by thoroughly demonstrating and cueing and that she was inspired by Iyengar. Maureen’s passionate explanation of what she delivers and why is very refreshing, interesting and thought provoking.

All the classes I regularly attend vary week to week with no two lessons being the same. How would I feel to regularly practise a familiar routine, being able to observe the changes with the mind/body relationship over time? This is another face to yoga and I am privileged to have had exposure to it – thank you so much Maureen.

It was also interesting to experience the very tangible changes within the room as the group moved through the different parts of the lesson. The quietening of the chatter as the students arrived on their mats into ‘being’. The raising of the energy as the pranayama practices evolved which continued to build as they moved through their asanas. As the group lowered to the floor and the inversions - the room changed again and then a peacefulness fell like snow as the class relaxed.

It was remarkable to witness.