Yes, Yoga Teachers, You Can Use Your Notes During Class

"I've relied on my notebook as a tool to work out sequences before class and keep track of what went well (or didn't) after class. A quick flip through my notebook shows hearts scribbled in the margins, names of playlists that worked seamlessly, crossed-out sections that didn't land as I'd intended, or a 'rework this' alongside a sequence. It's become a useful tool and time capsule for my classes."

"The process of writing things out helps me stay focused, organized, and responsive to the needs of students. And in talking to other teachers, I learned I'm not the only one who relies on this approach. Using notes isn't necessarily a sign of inexperience."

"I successfully guided my class practicum without notes. Yet afterward, I promised myself that when I became a real yoga teacher, I'd make my own rules around using notes. Throughout the last five years, I've taught every single one of my classes while keeping my notebook within reach."

A yoga teacher describes her journey with using notes during classes, beginning with anxiety about teaching without them during her final practicum. Despite successfully completing the requirement to teach without notes, she later decided to use a notebook as a teaching tool. Over five years, her notebook has become essential for sequencing classes, tracking what works, and reflecting on student needs. The notebook contains planning notes, playlists, and observations about which sequences succeeded or failed. Writing things out helps her stay organized and responsive to students. She discovered other teachers also rely on notes, indicating that using them is not a sign of inexperience but rather a legitimate teaching strategy.

Read at Yoga Journal