Teaching yoga in a large room can be both exciting and intimidating. Whether it’s 30 students in your studio, 50 in a community center, or hundreds at a festival, the challenge is the same: how do you connect with everyone while keeping the class flowing smoothly?
When I first faced a big group—more than 50 people in a workshop—I realized I was spending almost all my time focused on the front third of the room. The students in the back corners? I barely made eye contact with them. By the end, I knew I needed a better way.
Over the years, teaching everything from festivals to sports teams, I’ve developed practical strategies that make even the largest spaces feel intimate. Here’s how you can do the same.
Arrive Early and Walk the Room
Space management begins before your students arrive. If it’s your first time in the venue, get there at least 30 minutes early. Walk the entire space. Stand in each corner, imagine where students will be, and notice what they’ll see and hear from different positions.
Look for sightline challenges—pillars, lighting, or distractions. Consider how sound travels. If possible, test your microphone or practice projecting your voice. These small preparations make a big difference when the room fills up.
Set Up for Flow and Connection
If you can, mark the floor with tape or place a few guide mats to indicate rows and columns. This not only maximizes space but also leaves clear pathways for you to move around during class. If taping the floor isn’t possible, play “mat traffic controller” as students arrive: “Let’s start a new row here,” or “We can fit another mat in this space.”
Think about where students with special needs might be most comfortable—someone with balance challenges might do well near a wall, while new students might prefer a central spot where they can see you clearly.
Move Like a Fish, Not a Shark
Your movement pattern matters as much as your cues. Teachers often fall into two extremes: staying rooted at the front like a coral in a reef or pacing constantly like a shark. Both approaches can leave parts of the room feeling disconnected.
Instead, be like a fish—glide intentionally from place to place, pause to connect, then move again. I use a “five-point room system”: center front, right front, left front, back right, and back left. Throughout class, I make sure to rotate through these points so no area feels ignored.
Use Your Voice to Reach Everyone
Even with a microphone, voice projection matters. Turn your body and voice toward different parts of the room, especially the back corners. If giving an important cue, say something like, “Especially for those of you in the back row . . . ” to make your awareness clear.
When moving around, avoid “right” and “left” as your only directional cues—they can confuse students (and you!) when you change position. Instead, use landmarks: “face toward the windows” or “reach toward the blue wall.” This keeps everyone oriented, no matter where they are.
Make Demonstrations Visible and Accessible
In a large space, demonstrations can be harder to see. Sometimes I stand on blocks or use a small platform for floor poses so more students can see. I also describe what I’m showing for those who can’t see clearly.
You can even use a student as a demo model—with permission. This shifts attention to different areas of the room and makes more students feel included.
Create Connection Through Names and Breath
If you know students’ names, use them—and spread your attention throughout the room. A quick “I see you working, Lisa” to the front row, followed by “Nice focus, Marco” in the back corner, sends a powerful message: you’re paying attention to everyone.
Another way to unify the group is with breath. Periodically invite everyone to take three breaths together. That moment of shared rhythm can feel intimate, even in a packed hall.
Be Ready for Technical and Environmental Challenges
Large rooms bring unique challenges—temperature differences from front to back, uneven sound, shifting light. Test your music and mic from different spots in the room. Adjust ventilation or lighting if possible.
Have a backup plan for equipment failure. If your mic goes out, you might lead a simple, repetitive sequence that students can follow visually until you regain amplification.
Navigating Savasana in a Large Group
Final relaxation can be the trickiest part of a big class. If you offer assists, consider whether you’ll give them to everyone or not at all. Another approach is to divide the room into quadrants and focus on one each week, making your system clear so students know what to expect.
If you’re not offering touch, you could unify the experience with a singing bowl or chime, moving to different parts of the room so the sound reaches everyone equally.
Close with a Personal Connection
Position yourself near the door to thank students as they leave. Even in a crowd, that brief moment of eye contact or a “thank you” can make someone feel truly seen.
When Things Go Sideways
Despite your best planning, big classes can sometimes lose focus. If you notice disengagement—especially from the back—invite everyone to reset in Mountain Pose or Child’s Pose. This recenters the group and gives you a moment to recalibrate.
Acknowledging the challenge of a large space can also build rapport: “I know some of you might not be able to see me clearly from the back, so I’ll be circulating throughout class.” Transparency like this shows you care.
Reflect After Class
Every large-class experience is a chance to refine your approach. Ask yourself:
- Which parts of the room did I connect with most?
- Were there areas I neglected?
- How could I set up differently next time?
This reflection evolves your teaching, builds your intuition, and helps make each class smoother than the last.
The Takeaway
Large classes can feel intimidating at first, but they’re also an incredible opportunity to create community on a big scale. With thoughtful setup, intentional movement, clear communication, and small moments of connection, you can make even the largest room feel personal and welcoming.
The size of the group doesn’t determine the depth of the connection—you do. By distributing your energy consciously and being present for everyone in the room, you’ll turn big classes into deeply engaging experiences for your students.
Want to hear more? Listen to episode 49 of Yoga Teacher Confidential!
