As you step into your yoga classroom, remember this: you’re not just an instructor—you’re a host. Just like hosting a dinner party, your job is to create a welcoming environment where your students can have a truly satisfying experience.
The Power of the Host Mindset
Think about the difference between yoga classes where you felt truly welcome versus ones where you felt like just another body in the room. That difference often comes down to how the teacher approached their role—not just as an instructor, but as someone creating a space for transformation.
When you approach your class with a host mentality, the entire energy of your classroom shifts. Your students relax more deeply. They take risks they might not otherwise take. They connect more authentically—with themselves, with you, and with each other.
This matters because yoga isn’t just about the poses. It’s about creating a space for transformation. And transformation can only happen when people feel safe and supported.
Setting the Table: Prepare Your Space
Just like preparing for dinner guests, start “setting the table” before your students arrive:
- Arrive 15–20 minutes early to check the temperature, adjust the lighting, and make sure props are accessible
- Consider the mood you want to create—is this an energizing morning practice or a soothing evening wind-down?
- Make sure everything is clean and orderly, showing your students you’ve prepared specifically for them
These aren’t just practical tasks; they’re part of your teaching. By creating a consistent, welcoming environment, you show your students that you value their experience before class even begins.
Welcoming Your Guests: Greet Your Students
When students begin to arrive, make a point to:
- Greet each person by name if possible
- Make eye contact and smile at new students
- Help new students get oriented to the space—where to put their shoes, where to find props, where the bathrooms are
For students who arrive late, have a plan. Know where you’ll direct them to set up so they don’t disrupt the flow of class. A simple nod and a gesture toward an open spot lets them know you see them and they’re welcome, even if they’re late.
Serving the Meal: Your Class Experience
During class, you’re essentially serving the meal. You’ve planned your sequence—the menu—but a good host is attentive to how guests are receiving each course:
- Accommodate different learning styles by offering demonstrations, clear verbal cues, and opportunities for exploration
- Check in with your students to ensure they’re getting what they need, but don’t hover or overassist
- Adjust your “menu” based on who’s in the room—just as you wouldn’t serve spicy food to guests who can’t tolerate it, modify your sequence based on your students’ needs
The Dessert Course: Savasana and Closing
As class winds down, pay special attention to the transition out of savasana. This is like the dessert course of your yoga meal—it shouldn’t be rushed. Guide students out gently and give them space to integrate their experience before rushing them off their mats.
After class, position yourself near the door to say goodbye. This is your chance to check in briefly, especially with new students. A simple “How did that feel?” can open the door to valuable feedback and make students feel their experience matters to you.
Why the Host Mindset Matters for You
This approach takes the pressure off you to be some kind of yoga superhero. You don’t have to be the most flexible, the strongest, or the most enlightened person in the room. You just have to be attentive, genuine, and responsive to your students’ needs.
Remember that you only have to be you. As yoga teachers, we’re often told early in our careers, “We can see that you’re not Bryan, and you don’t need to apologize for not being Bryan.” Being yourself includes being the kind of host that makes your unique students feel welcome in your unique class.
Your Hosting Affirmation
When you prepare to teach, repeat this affirmation: “I create a welcoming space where my students feel seen, heard, and supported. I am a gracious host.”
Making this simple shift in how you approach your teaching—from instructor to host—can transform both your students’ experience and your own enjoyment of teaching. It takes the focus off perfection and puts it on connection. And isn’t connection what yoga is all about?
Next time you teach, arrive a little earlier. Greet each student by name. Check in with how the room feels. Make adjustments based on who shows up. And notice how these small acts of hosting create a richer experience for everyone—including you.
Hear more about this in episode 32 of Yoga Teacher Confidential:
