Practical Teaching Practicum
Every student plans and leads classes for fellow trainees, receives feedback from teachers and peers, and reflects on how to improve.
What Is the Teaching Practicum?
The practicum is the practical teaching component of the Yoga TTC and one of its 15 core subjects. Toward the later part of the residential course, students present themselves as teachers in front of the group, guiding practices from the curriculum and receiving structured feedback.
How the Practicum Works
- 01
Prepare
Plan a class or segment: sequence, timing, cues and any props needed.
- 02
Teach
Lead your fellow students through the practice you prepared.
- 03
Receive Feedback
Teachers and classmates share what worked and what could be clearer.
- 04
Reflect
Review your own teaching and identify one or two areas to focus on.
- 05
Teach Again
Apply the feedback in your next opportunity to teach.
What You May Teach
Depending on the course stage and the practicum plan, students may lead segments of Haṭha Yoga, Aṣṭāṅga Vinyāsa sequences, Prāṇāyāma, relaxation or Yoga Nidra, and meditation.
What Feedback Covers
| Area | Questions teachers look at |
|---|---|
| Clarity | Were instructions easy to follow? |
| Voice | Could everyone hear? Was the pace calm? |
| Sequencing | Did the class flow logically and safely? |
| Timing | Did the class fit the time available? |
| Demonstration | Did the demonstration support the cue? |
| Observation | Did the teacher watch students and respond? |
| Presence | Was the teacher steady and respectful? |
Clarity
- Questions teachers look at:
- Were instructions easy to follow?
Voice
- Questions teachers look at:
- Could everyone hear? Was the pace calm?
Sequencing
- Questions teachers look at:
- Did the class flow logically and safely?
Timing
- Questions teachers look at:
- Did the class fit the time available?
Demonstration
- Questions teachers look at:
- Did the demonstration support the cue?
Observation
- Questions teachers look at:
- Did the teacher watch students and respond?
Presence
- Questions teachers look at:
- Was the teacher steady and respectful?
Why Peer Teaching Works
Teaching peers in a small group is a safe environment to make mistakes, try new cues and build confidence before teaching in the wider world. Being taught by classmates also sharpens students' own observation skills.
Nervous About Teaching?
Most students are at first. The practicum is designed for learning, not performance. Confidence develops through repetition and supportive feedback.
After the Practicum
The 200-Hour certificate is the start of a teaching journey. Graduates are encouraged to keep teaching, keep practicing (supported by the 100-day practice schedule) and keep learning, for example through the 300-Hour TTC.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get to teach during the course?
Yes. Every student plans and leads classes for their peers during the Teaching Practicum.
Who gives feedback?
Your teachers and classmates.
What if I make mistakes?
That's expected. The practicum is where mistakes become learning.
The best way to learn to teach is to teach — with support, feedback and room to grow.
Learn → Practice → Teach → Reflect. For Real Understanding.
Step Onto The Mat Where Ancient Masters Walked
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