50 public speaking techniques (for yoga teachers) 50 presentation techniques

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“Public Speaking”

for Yoga Teachers

50 Tools You Can Use to Become a

Brilliant Speaker and Yoga Teacher

By Akash P Karia

www.CommunicationSkillsTips.com

http://www.communicationskillstips.com/


About Akash Karia

Akash Karia is an award-winning speaker, trainer

and presentation skills coach. He has conducted

presentation skills courses for employees and

members of organizations such

as HSBC, Polytechnic University, Life Underwriters

Association of Hong Kong and many, many more…

Akash is also champion

speaker and has won over 40 public speaking

championships, including the prestigious titles of: JCI

2012 Hong Kong Champion of Public

Speaking, Toastmasters International Division

K Impromptu Speaking Champion and has been

ranked as one of the Top 10 Speakers in Asia

Pacific.

He is available to conduct public speaking and persuasion skills training.

Contact him on [email protected] or visit his website for more

details: www.CommunicationSkillsTips.com


mailto:[email protected]



1

What is “Public Speaking?”

I use the term “public speaking” broadly to refer to any situation where you have

to speak to a group of 2 or more people

Many of the techniques you will pick up in this “public speaking for yoga

teachers” guide can be used in meetings, interviews and even social situations

This e-book contains links to articles that contain more information about the

tools we discussed during the Public Speaking course.

WARNING: This is not a “magical guide” which will transform you into a better

speaker overnight. However, the application of these techniques will make you

two times the speaker that you are today.


2

Pause: Don’t Start Until You’re

Ready

Don’t be afraid to pause

Pausing allows you to calm down your nerves

Take in a couple of deep belly-breaths to calm yourself down

Pausing allows everyone to get on the same vibration/ energy-level

If you’re facing a noisy class, wait until the room is silent and focusing on you

Don’t start speaking your class until you’re ready and everyone’s focused on you


3

Get into the Right Mindset

When you get nervous, shift your mindset

It’s not about you, it’s about your students (audience). Don’t focus on yourself,

focus on your students. Realize that you have the opportunity to change

someone’s life, heal someone’s soul every time you teach yoga

Remind yourself how yoga has changed your life, and realize you have the same

opportunity to do that for someone else.

Once you tap into that positive, value-giving mindset, you’ll find it easier to teach

without being self-conscious


4

What Story Are You Telling

Yourself?

It’s okay to be nervous. Everyone experiences butterflies before an important

event

Scientifically, there is no difference between nervousness and excitement

It’s what you choose to label it

Are you telling yourself, “I’m excited” or are you telling yourself, “I’m nervous”?

Either way, you’re right…because it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy


5

Use the Confidence Posture

If you’re nervous, use the “military-posture”

The military-posture has been proven to increase your confidence levels

Before the event, walk around in the confidence posture…it’ll boost your

confidence levels

Check out this brilliant article on the 5 Parts of Your Body Your Audience is

Listening To

http://communicationskillstips.com/2012/speaking-with-body-language-the-five-parts-of-your-body-your-audience-is-listening-to/

http://communicationskillstips.com/2012/speaking-with-body-language-the-five-parts-of-your-body-your-audience-is-listening-to/


6

Starting/ Ending Your Class

Affirmations: “I make the positive resolve that I will allow myself to experience

perfect mental, emotional and physical health throughout my yoga practice today”

Set an intention for the class

Set a theme or a focus for your class: “We will focus on stamina…”

Quote a powerful scripture

Start with a chant/ mantra to get everyone on the same vibration

Start with soft music in the background to get everyone on the same energy level

Introduce yourself by sharing your Personal Story…stories are powerful!


7

Don’t ever Admit You’re

Nervous

Don’t apologize or admit you’re nervous at the start of a session

Don’t say, “I’m sorry, I haven’t prepared…”

Don’t say, “I’m sorry, I’m so nervous…I’ve had a terrible day”

Once you admit you’re nervous, it’s a self-fulfilling prophecy…your mind and

your body will act in congruence with what you say

Moreover, if you admit you’re nervous, your students will start looking for signs

of your nervousness…


8

Set Expectations at the

Beginning of Class

No talking during class, turn off your mobile phones…

Outline your rules and expectations at the beginning of class

Do so in a humorous way – don’t be condescending or patronizing

Use humor to convey the rules (remember the “idiot whose phone was ringing

during class and it turned out the idiot was me” story?)


9

Let Students Know they Don’t

Have to Push Themselves

beyond their Physical

Boundaries

“Be responsible for your own practice…you don’t have to push yourself beyond

your physical boundaries…Respect your body…”


10

Use Inviting Language

If you’re comfortable…

Allow yourself…

Let yourself be…

Endeavor to…

I invite you to…


11

Soften Your Commands with

“Let’s”

Use the word “Let’s” to soften your commands

Instead of saying “Keep quiet”, say “Let’s keep quiet” or “Let’s focus on our yoga

practice”


12

Don’t Dilute the Power of Your

Words with “Try to…”

Don’t say: “Try to imagine yourself…” Instead say “Imagine yourself…”

Don’t say: “Try to feel…” Instead say, “Feel…”


13

The Sweetest Sound in Any

Language

The sweetest sound in any language is the person’s name…

Try and memorize your students names

Use your students names when giving instructions

Check out this article for tips on how to remember someone’s name

http://happinesshunters.com/how-to-remember-someones-name-with-one-simple-trick/


14

Acknowledge, Label & Let It

Go Technique

When students are obviously struggling with stresses of the day, use the

“Acknowledge, Label and Let It Go” technique

Invite your students to:

o Acknowledge the emotion

o Label the emotion for what it is

o Let it go


15

Use Imagery & Visual

Language to Make it Easier for

Your Students to Understand

“…thread running up your spine” visual


16

Laughter is the Best Medicine

Incorporate humor into your sessions

o “For those of you who do know me, my name is Akash. And for those of you

who do not know me, my name is still Akash” (side note: apologies, I seem

to have forgotten who this originated from )

Use self-deprecating humor: “I know you were expecting a handsome man…I’m

so sorry to disappoint you!”

Exaggerated facial expressions also make people laugh


17

Stand with Your Feet Shoulder-

width Apart

When you’re standing, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart…it conveys

confidence

Don’t stand with your feet too close together because it conveys lack of security

Feet too far apart = aggressiveness

Swaying back and forth = unsure of yourself


18

Don’t Walk Back and Forth

When you take a step forward towards your audience, it creates intimacy...so step

forward when you have an important point to make

Taking a step backwards creates a negative feeling in your audience

members…almost like you’re lying or trying to hide something

Avoid rocking back and forth on your feet…it’s distracting

Check out this video for more information on walking backwards and forwards

and the psychological impact it has on your audience

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwP1ol-v8zM


19

Don’t Pace Back and Forth

Like a Caged Tiger

Don’t pace back and forth like a caged tiger

It’s distracting because it’s movement without a purpose

Feel free to move on stage, but only as long as your movement serves a purpose

For example, you can use the stage as a timeline so that the left side of the stage

indicates the past, the center = the present, the right side = the future

For more information on stage usage, click here

http://communicationskillstips.com/2012/8-presentation-lies-you-were-taught-in-school/


20

Scan and Stop Technique for

Eye Contact

Make eye contact with all sides of the room

Be sure not to isolate any side of the room by not making eye contact with that

section

Use the “Scan and Stop” technique for eye contact

Scan the room when you speak, making eye contact with students for about a

second or so…

When you come to a very important or poignant point, stop and make eye contact

with one person and deliver your line/dialogue/point to him/her


21 Don’t Close Your Eyes when

You Ask Students to Close

Theirs

Don’t Close your eyes when you ask students to close theirs

You want to be aware of what your students are doing

There are, of course, exceptions to this rule (such as when you’re chanting)


22

If You Forget What You Were

Saying…

If you forget what you were saying, simply ask your students: “Where was I?” or

“What was I saying?”

Your students (audience members) do NOT want to see you fail…

If you forget where you were, don’t worry…it’s no big deal

You can recover simply by asking your students where you were


23

Use Mind-maps to Plan Your

Class

Use a mind-map to plan your class

Instead of writing everything word for word, simply create a flow-chart of poses

or a mind-map so that you know the sequence you’ll be following

For more information about creating mind-maps, click here

http://www.thinkbuzan.com/th/articles/view/how-to-create-a-mind-map


24

Avoid the “Yoga-Voice”

Avoid the long-syllables and high-pitched yoga voice

Speak conversationally and in your normal tone of voice


25

When Giving a Command or

an Instruction, Make Your

Voice Slightly Deeper (lower in

pitch)

When you want to convey authority, your voice should go down a notch (a

slightly lower pitch/deeper voice is associated with authority)


26

Keep it Conversational

“Public speaking” is simply having a conversation with one person…with 99

other people listening in

Focus on having a conversation with the audience…one person at a time…

Once you change you realize that public speaking is simply an enlarged

conversation with many people, you’ll become much more relaxed during your

next “public speaking” event


27

Shorter Sentences = Greater

Clarity

Keep your sentences short, simple and conversational

Avoid using multiple conjunctions in one sentence (i.e. “and….and…and”)

Shorter sentences aid comprehension

Remember to pause between your sentences – this sounds like such an obvious

thing to say, but as speakers we sometimes forget this simple rule and speak too


quickly because we’re nervous. Pause and allow your audience members to digest

the information you’ve just given them.

28

Pause After You Ask a

Question

During our training, too many speakers forgot to pause after they asked a question

(you know who you are!)

After you ask a question, pause to give audience members time to respond…or, if

you’re not expecting a response, pause and give them time to think!

o “How are you feeling today?” (Pause, make eye contact and wait for a

response)

o “Any questions?” (Pause and wait for your students to think about what


questions they have)

29

Use Your Hands to Show What

You’re Saying

Don’t keep your hands glued to your sides or behind your back

Use your hands naturally to show what you’re saying

You can start off speaking with your hands mid-way up (not down by your sides)

and your hands will automatically move naturally once as gain confidence during

your presentation


30

The “Err…” Error

Work on decreasing your um’s and errs…

Slow down your speaking rate and don’t be afraid to pause

Instead of erring, PAUSE!

This technique will take a lot of practice…

You’ll have to overcome the power of habit…

But if you keep reminding yourself to pause, you will eventually be “um”-free!


31

Share Your Personal Story

Stories are POWERFUL!

When promoting/marketing your class, share your personal story because…

“People can resist a sales message…but no one can resist a well told story”


32

The Five C’s of Storytelling

Characters

Conflict

Cure

Change

Carryout Message

Check out this article for more details about the 5 C’s of Storytelling

http://communicationskillstips.com/2012/storytelling-secrets-tell-great-story-public-speaking/


33

Use Fresh Language to Breathe

New Life to Your Classes

Come up with new analogies and metaphors to breathe life into your classes

Use your expanded knowledge of anatomy to explain poses and concepts


34

Examples of Fresh Language to

Breathe Life in Your Classes

“Offer your heart”

“Arms at 6 o’clock”

“Feel your new, energized and rejuvenated body”

“Windmill your hands”

“Melt your shoulders back”

“Be like the letter T”


34.1

More Examples of Fresh

Language to Breathe New Life

to Your Classes

“Allow your breath to seep back in”

“Imagine you are drawing back a bow”

“Bring your awareness back to yourself on the mat”

“Focus on the furthest sound” strategy


Part 2: How to Handle

Difficult Situations &

Students

Tools to Help You Take Control of Your

Class when Your Class is Getting Out of

Hand


35

Difficult Situations You May

Face:

Students coming in late to your classes

Students leaving during class

Students chatting during class

Students laughing during class

Mobile phones ringing during class

Students wearing inappropriate clothing

“Expert-student” who disagrees with you because of something they read


36

Make Sure All Students Read

and Sign a Copy of Your “Yoga

Guidelines”

Have a list of guidelines and rules

Make sure all your students read these guidelines so they know what to expect

Make them sign a copy of these guidelines before they come to your first class

Students are more likely to comply with your rules if the rules are written down

and they have agreed to follow these rules in writing


37

Stick a Copy of the “Yoga

Guidelines” where they can be

seen by the students

Print out, laminate and stick a copy of your “Yoga guidelines” on the walls

This will serve to remind students of what behaviors are expected during class

This is the Law of Authority in practice: people will almost never argue with

something that has been written down and signed by a higher authority (i.e. your

yoga studio management)


38

Make Sure You Are Legally

Protected

Sometimes, you may have to refuse entry to students who always disrupt the class

In this case, make sure you are legally protected

When students first come in to your studio, make them sign your “Yoga

Guidelines”…

…and in your Yoga Guidelines, make sure to include a line that reads similar to

“the Yoga Studio/ owner/ I/ have the right to refuse entry to anyone who doesn’t

follow these rules”


39

Set Expectations at the

Beginning of Class

At the beginning of class, quickly go over the guidelines

o “If you need to leave class, please do so quietly…To avoid any disturbance

during class, please let’s turn of our mobile phones”


40

“If Looks Could Kill…”

If a student is laughing/talking during class, make eye contact with them

This will indirectly send the message that you want them to keep quiet


41

Proximity

If a student is laughing/talking during class, move closer to him/her

The proximity will alert the student that you want them to stop talking


42

Talk to the Student Privately

If a particular student keeps distracting the class, talk the student privately - either

during class (by tapping them on the shoulder and whispering “Let’s keep the

talking down and focus on our yoga practice”) or after class.

Don’t humiliate the student publicly because it’s likely that he/she will never

come back


43

Address the Behavior Early

Before It Gets Out of Control

Don’t wait until a behavior gets out of control

Address it early on and it’ll be much easier to change it


44

Why before What

When asking people to change their behavior, always give the why before the

what

Give a reason as to why you want the student to change their behavior


45

Don’t Get into a Heated Debate

During Class

If a student challenges you during class, don’t go into a heated discussion during

class

Simply tell the student why you believe what you believe…

Tell them that they are welcome to continue this discussion after class

Finish off with, “From my experience, I’ve found it to be true that…”

Handle the discussion calmly and your students will respect you


46

Speak Louder:

“We’ll Begin When You’re

Ready”

If your class is getting out of hand (e.g. students are beginning to chat) then…

Speak louder to grab your student’s attentions

Use the phrase, “We’ll begin when you’re ready”


47

Speak Softer

If your class is getting out of hand (e.g. students are beginning to chat) then…

Speak softer to grab your students attention

Lowering your volume causes your listeners to lean in to hear what you’re saying

– they have to work harder to listen to what you have to say

So, should you speak louder or speak softer? Depends on the situation. Try out

both strategies to see what works for you.


48

Silence is Powerful

One of the mistakes I’ve seen speakers make is that they continue talking even

when the rest of the class is chatting and not listening

If your class begins chatting, be silent and make eye contact with a couple of the

students who are paying attention to you

Wait until everyone is listening to you before you go on speaking


49 “Ding!” – Use a Bell

Here’s a simple yet very effective technique:

Use a bell to grab your students attention

Ring the bell and the message will get around that you want everyone to focus on

you


50

Recommended Resources

For more free public speaking and communication tips, head over to


Recommended Book [Body Language]: Definitive Guide of Body Language

Recommended Book [Persuasion]: Influence, by Dr. Robert Cialdini

Recommended Book [Public Speaking]: Stand Like Churchill Speak Like Lincoln

Feel free to contact me on [email protected] with any questions you may have.


http://www.amazon.com/The-Definitive-Book-Body-Language/dp/0553804723/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1344698557&sr=8-1&keywords=definitive+guide+to+body+language

http://www.amazon.com/Influence-Psychology-Persuasion-Business-Essentials/dp/006124189X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344698609&sr=1-1&keywords=influence+cialdini

http://www.amazon.com/Speak-Like-Churchill-Stand-Lincoln/dp/0761563512/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1344698637&sr=1-1&keywords=stand+like+lincoln+speak+like+churchill



51

Feel Free Share This E-Book

Feel free to share this e-book with your friends

I release the copyright on this e-book, which means that you can share it on your

blog, print it out, pass it around…do whatever you like…although I would

appreciate it if you could give me credit for my work

Akash Karia


[email protected]




About Akash Karia

Akash Karia is an award-winning speaker, trainer

and presentation skills coach. He has conducted

presentation skills courses for employees and

members of organizations such

as HSBC, Polytechnic University, Life Underwriters

Association of Hong Kong and many, many more…

Akash is also champion

speaker and has won over 40 public speaking

championships, including the prestigious titles of: JCI

2012 Hong Kong Champion of Public

Speaking, Toastmasters International Division

K Impromptu Speaking Champion and has been

ranked as one of the Top 10 Speakers in Asia

Pacific.

He is available to conduct public speaking and persuasion skills training.

Contact him on [email protected] or visit his website for more

details: www.CommunicationSkillsTips.com




50 public speaking techniques (for yoga teachers) 50 presentation techniques

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