Start from Where They Are

Here’s one simple yet powerful principle I emphasize over and over again when training yoga teachers:

Start from where they are.

It sounds obvious, doesn’t it? But in practice, most of us walk into a class armed with plans, ideas, and expectations. And that, my friends, is often a recipe for disaster—because yoga, like life, rarely follows the script.

Plans Are Helpful—But People Come First

We make plans… and then life laughs. Because life takes its own course.

The same applies to your yoga classes. Your carefully planned sequence might not suit the energy in the room. And guess what? That’s okay. Because…

Your class isn’t about the plan—it’s about the people.

Not who they were last week.
Not who you expected them to be.
Not what a textbook says they should be.

It’s about who they are right now, in this moment—living, breathing, feeling beings.

So yes, plan your class. It gives you a framework, a sense of control. But once the students arrive—chuck that plan out the window (lovingly!) and go with the flow.

Teach to Their Level – Not Yours

If you offer poses that are too hard, your students will feel frustrated. If you make it too easy, they’ll get bored—and they might not come back.

I’ve seen it too often: teachers or “gurus” assuming they know what’s best for you. Reading your karma. Prescribing your path. But here’s the truth:

Nobody knows you better than you.
And nobody knows your students better than they do.

Instead of assuming… ask them. Talk to them. Listen. Observe. Trust.

Sometimes, what people want to learn is exactly what they need to learn—because that’s where they are right now, and that’s what they’re ready for.

Even Monks Just Want to Move Sometimes

I spent 10 years as a monk in a yoga ashram. I’ve been steeped in yoga philosophy, chanting, meditation… all of it.

But when I go to a yoga class today, I just want to move, stretch, breathe, and feel good. I didn’t come for a lecture about Shiva or yoga sutras (even though I love those too). I came to do asana.

And that’s the thing—your students may not want what you think they need. Give them what they want. That’s the first step to trust and connection.

Your Job as a Yoga Teacher?

To make people feel good. To make people happy. Simple as that.

Especially in Kids and Family Yoga, this takes on even greater meaning.

Children today are navigating more anxiety, stimulation, and social pressure than ever before. Our role is not to add another layer of structure or expectation—but to offer them a safe place to be themselves, move freely, breathe deeply, and connect joyfully.

Yoga Is a Path to Happiness

Yoga is about happiness. It’s about tuning in to what lights you up—your body, your breath, your heart.

And that path to happiness changes as we grow. Our needs evolve. Our energy shifts. So does our yoga.

You find your way by listening to your heart. If you’re working against the current of your own energy, you’ll only end up frustrated.

And if your students are flowing in a different current—meet them there. That’s where the magic happens.

Mixed Levels? No Problem!

Sometimes, your class will have students of different levels or with different goals. That’s okay!

Over time, as you become more attuned to your students’ needs, you’ll develop the superpower of offering options, adjusting the flow on the spot, and saying just the right amount of yoga blabla to keep everyone happy 😉

But remember—you can’t please everyone. And that’s okay too.

Trust your heart. Trust your observations. Let your confidence create a safe space for exploration.

And when possible, be clear in how you advertise your class. A student seeking relaxation won’t come to a “Yoga Party” class. Someone wanting stretching might skip a “Partner Yoga & Tantra” session.

Be honest in your class name and description—you’ll attract the right people.

Especially True in Kids Yoga

In Kids Yoga, this principle of start from where they are is everything.

If the class doesn’t match their age group and mood, they’ll lose interest fast. And when kids lose interest, the class unravels.

What matters more than age is group energy.

When my older kids, Emily and Oli, were 7 and 5, I was teaching at their school. With Oli’s class, we did headstands, handstands, acrobatics, human pyramids—everything was possible because the group was united and open.

Emily’s class, though older, was divided and less trusting. It took time, patience, and starting from where they were to build up to those same activities.

💡 Every group is different. Every child is different. Meet them where they are—and they’ll meet you with their hearts wide open.

Success Builds Success

My wife, Angel, expresses this beautifully:

When a child (or adult!) feels proud of what they’ve just accomplished—even if it’s small—they build the confidence to take on the next challenge.

Sometimes when I teach Crow Pose, I’ll ask students what they were thinking about. Many say:

“I was afraid I’d fall on my face.”

So we try again—but this time, I ask them to visualise success, and say to themselves:

“I can do this. It’s easy.”

The success rate? Way higher.
Because mindset matters. Confidence matters.

With Kids, It’s “Next! Next! Next!”

You won’t know if something works until you try it. And if it doesn’t work—move on. Don’t dwell on what didn’t work.

Try it again in a few weeks—it might land beautifully. But don’t fight the energy in the moment. Flow with it.

And this is even more vital when teaching children with additional needs.

These beautiful beings are often more sensitive, more attuned. You may not know what to expect. That’s why…

🧡 You must release expectations.
🌟 You must be ready to learn from them.
🌈 You must meet them as they are.

There’s only one rule:

Open your eyes.
Open your ears.
Open your heart.
Open your mind.
Open your arms.

And truly see who is in front of you.
Start from there.
And from there—anything is possible.

Don’t Get Stuck in the Past or Planning

If you base your teaching on what someone told you about that student, or what you read online, or what happened last week, you’ll miss what’s happening right now.

Yes—do your research. Talk to parents. Learn about conditions and needs. Be prepared.

But once you meet the child, let all that fade into the background, and let the child lead you.

🧠 You can’t teach what people aren’t ready to learn.
🌱 And you can’t teach what you aren’t ready for either.

Like the time I taught private Partner Yoga classes, and someone asked to explore the sexual side of Tantra—or started taking their clothes off! 😳

Everything has its right place and time.
No rush. No pressure. Just presence.

✨ Just start from where you are.

Why Wait? You Can Start Now

Here’s the most beautiful truth of all:

🌈 You don’t need to wait for the perfect moment, location, or opportunity to begin your journey into Kids or Family Yoga.

You can start now, right where you are—with our online Rainbow Kids Yoga Teacher Training.

You don’t need to wait for a course in your city.
You don’t need a fancy studio or hundreds of students.
You just need your heart, your curiosity, and your willingness to begin.

Through our online training, you'll:

• Learn how to read the energy of the room

• Adapt your classes to any group, anytime

• Create deep connections and joyful moments

• Discover how to change lives—starting with your own

🌟 Because yoga doesn’t just teach poses—it transforms people.
🌟 Especially children and families.
🌟 Especially now.

The world needs more love, connection, play, and peace.
You can be part of this change—right now.

👉 Don’t wait.
👉 Enrol today.
👉 Start from where you are… and grow from there.

💻 Join the Online Rainbow Kids Yoga Teacher Training Now