Sensitivity first.
"Sensitivity without technique is always safer than technique without sensitivity."- Donna Farhi
In the Hatha yoga classes that I teach, I'm interested in creating a slow, methodical progression towards an apex pose or exploration into a family of poses rather than trying to hit all the major pose families. I call this the slow build and to be sure my classes are filled with alignment techniques. However, underpinning all of these alignment choices is an attitude of sensitivity and inquiry. I often use invitatory language and opportunities to explore different sensations in different planes of movement. I include opportunities to have the body lead the way rather than the mind and teach from the philosophy that movement is therapeutic.
Having spent 10 years of my adult working life as an elementary school teacher, I approach this work from an educational standpoint. As yoga has become a commodified service, the practice has moved further away from the experience being relational and feels more and more transactional. When we can think about our classes as an opportunity to teach people a skill we move towards creating a climate that is educational rather than something that is a mere commodity.