{video} Try This At Home Teaching Tip #1: Try a Non-Traditional Arc

Do you always teach your private lessons with the same traditional arc? It’s possible your students would really benefit from a little change in the way you structure your classes. Watch this video and let me know what questions come up for you!

11 Responses to “{video} Try This At Home Teaching Tip #1: Try a Non-Traditional Arc”

  1. Michelle

    This was such great timing, thank you! While I’ve practiced myself for many (!) years, I’m currently about half way through my 300 hour training and have just begun my teaching with teaching privates to a couple I’ve known a long time. They each have very different needs so it’s been beyond a great learning (teaching) experience. But I sometimes feel rushed to complete the arc in the traditional way, and the husband cannot stand savanna. Which to me seemed like well that’s the most important pose kinda thing. But your video was so great for me to start thinking a bit differently, and not being so attached to the arc. It’s like a huge sigh of relief so thank you for this. I will be trying something new with them this next time for sure! ~Michelle Hobbs (Scottsdale, AZ)

    Reply
    • Francesca Cervero

      You are so welcome Michelle. I’m thrilled to be connected with you! I love hearing that this is a relief to you! That says to me that you have lots of ideas about ways you might help them, you just needed permission to trust your intuition. One of the main tenets of my method (The Science of the Private Lesson) is to Meet Our Students Where They Are. If a student HATES savasana what are the chances they are actually getting the benefits that are intended with that practice? You’re on the right track and let me know if you need any other ideas!

      Reply
      • Jessica Espinoza

        Hi! Wonderful video! I am finishing up my certification this month and I am getting a few people lined up to do in-home lessons with. I’m really excited to explore this type of teaching, as teaching in gyms and traditional yoga studios just does not appeal to me. This video was super helpful as I start developing plans for my in-home students. I can’t wait to watch more of this series and I wanted to let you know that I appreciate all of the videos you do. I follow a lot of yoga practitioners, but you are far and away the one that has helped me the most. You’ve made me see what’s possible for my own business as a teacher. Thank you.

      • Francesca Cervero

        Hi Jessica! Thanks so much for reaching out, I’m thrilled we are connected! And I’m so honored that you’ve found my work helpful already! As you finish up your training and get started teaching don’t hesitate to reach out any time you need support. <3

  2. Lori Mills

    Hi Francesca and thank you for this video! I successfully completed my 500-hour training last week and now am trying to figure out what to do to help others. In all of my trainings, the traditional arc of sequencing was the only thing taught and I feel so relieved to hear of the options you presented here!!! It is so great how you share your original insights with us. There is a healing arts awareness establishment near to me. Possibly, some of her clients may want private or small-group yoga sessions and space permitting, there could be a way to offer the classes there. I will keep you posted as I proceed! Thanks again for this eye-opening video and sharing your creativity with us~

    Reply
    • Francesca Cervero

      Hi Lori! Congratulations on completing your 500 hour training; that is a big accomplishment! I’m so happy this video opens up some creative ideas for you. Stay in touch and let me know if other questions come up. xo

      Reply
  3. Kate W

    Hi Francesca! Thanks for this tip. I’m curious if you can share how you complete a session with a client standing. Do you offer a guided meditation standing? Or let them have some silence while standing? Also, how long would you leave a client in a standing meditation versus traditional savasana? Thanks so much!

    Reply
    • Francesca Cervero

      You are so welcome Kate! And those are great follow up questions. It really depends, but the sequence I use most often is a very slow spinal roll up and down into and out of uttansana. We move suuuuuper slowly, working that spinal segmentation, and I use my hands on their back ribs to encourage breath and space back there. After I have them come up to stand for the last time I might lead them in a Feldenkrais-style body scan, noticing where their weight is on their feet and let them stand nice and steady there for a minute or so. I can try to make a video of me teaching this if you’d like!

      Reply
      • Kate W

        That would be great! I would be very interested in watching that. Thanks Francesca, super helpful as always!

  4. Wendy

    I love this! I have a private client who hates savasana, so I end with a short seated guided meditation which he really enjoys. Also, in my group classes I often will bring the group to the to the ground for a back bending series or seated twists between standing flows as a way to provide active rest. The arc of the class is more like a wave than a steady arc.

    Reply
    • Francesca Cervero

      I love that too! A wave-like class structure is such a nice way to enjoy movement. 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply

  • (will not be published)