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Another question from the newbie!

I am busy learning 27 at the moment to teach tomorrow night for the first time and am wondering how to cope with the different mat positions without disturbing the flow of the class.

I know it doesn't really matter for the first 4 tracks, but then hips is taught front on, abs from the side, back is front on again, as is twists and then goes back to the side for hamstrings. 

I am not too worried about myself as I can put up with having bits of me on the hard floor but how often do I advise participants to move their mats? Surely it will be disruptive to change 3 times in the one class (and potentially 4 if position is changed for sun sals also). 

This is a bit new to me - as a participant the gym I attended was carpeted so hardly anyone used mats. My current class is on a timber floor so mats are a must! It is so much better in the new notes where they give you the mat position for each track!

Thanks for putting up with all my silly questions!

Sam 

When I teach 27, I don't make any changes to the mat position.  When I get to hips, I teach it side on with everyone facing the same direction, I stay in the same postion for core abs and back.  When I get to twists, I leave the mat in place and face front with my back knee over the mat and my front foot off. 

Ker

Having taught yoga before Balance, I find all the mat changes very disruptive. In BB 40 I change the mat 6 times as we have a lino floor and I don't want to put my hands or feet on it.  In yoga the mat was longways and we never had to change it.  

In BB 40 I start with the mat sideways for tai chi, then lengthwise for sun salutations.  Then change it back for track 3 and 4.  Track 5 change the mat again as it has swan and need the mat.  Change back for 6. Then change back for 7 as I do not like to be side on when doing the bow.  YOu can't see the members form and it is one track where you need to make sure they are doing it correctly.  It is also totally contraindicated to turn your head to the side when doing bow.  I don't do the backbend either for safety reasons.  Change back for 8 and then again for 9. 

 So yes I wish they would think about mat position more when designing the programme.

CT 

 

 

I agree mat changes are a pain.  Something I've started doing is getting people to use two mats in a 'T' position and this is perfect - no mucking around.  Of course, I can only do this because my class is small and there are plenty of spare mats, but if you can do it, it's great.

Sometimes you can change the direction you teach certain tracks in as well.  For example, track 5 in BB40 could be taught side on.

I try to keep mat changes to 2 per class at a maximum - preferably just one - and I will compromise by stepping off the mat every now and then (for example, keeping the mat longways in Sun Salutations and pressing feet into the floor).

But really, I want to teach in a carpeted studio again!  It's so nice when it's just not even a factor. 

Thanks everyone for your replies.

Ker, I did as you suggested and taught hips, abs, back and hamstrings side on and this worked well however I found the hip track a bit difficult to teach this way. Particularly setting up the modified half lotus - it is difficult for participants to see exactly where to position their legs. It is a pain to move the mat for just one track and then move it back again though!

I like the idea of setting up 2 mats in a "T" position however if one foot is on one mat and the other on another I can see slipping may be a problem. Particularly if participants are using the gym's mats which are not the usual grippy yoga ones. 

I don't know about changing the mat more than 2 times CT, that seems a lot. I guess I am not as bothered about putting some bits of me on the floor, particularly in sun sals. Hips in 40 wasn't too bad as it was only the back leg in swan and lunge. 27 is different though as you lie right back down in modified half lotus. I guess on some floors I wouldn't want any of me on the floor either! I have done BB once in a room that doubled as a creche and you certainly didn't want to be too close to THAT floor!!! LOL!

Any other thoughts?

Sam 

 

Sam

I don't like changing the mat that many times, but we do have proper yoga mats and the floor is not very nice at all.  If I don't change, the members do. I also like to use the mat as I get a better grip with my feet during sun salutations, legs etc.  Maybe I will try the T with 2 mats if I have room one day.  That sounds like a good solution. 

 

CT

 

I dont think its too disruptive to change the mat positions. Just as long as you not turning them after every track. You should deffinatly switch the positions during the ab track though so you have a side view of everyone and they have a good view of you. Possiblay during sun sals too, or you can just have them get of the mats for this, so you can watch and make sure that knee dosent pass the toes!

Another thing to consider is that some companies market a 360 degree mat, pretty much just a round mat.

 
Then you're not turning it at all, and you don't have to worry.  The only challenge is that the ones I've seen are only 150cm (5ft), and may not be "long" enough.
 

I'm a newbie also and I find mat changes disconcerting.  I've tried using two mats in an "X" or a "T" and, space allowed, love that.  Another thing I've tried is allocating two mats for myself... one at the front of the room and one in the center at the side.  Participants turn their bodies (not their mats) to the side and I simply walk to the other mat so I am facing them and we've re-oriented the front of the room.  Sounds confusing... don't think I've described it very well... but it seems to work quite well.  I'm so glad you asked this question because it's been on my mind too. 
 

AdamM:

Another thing to consider is that some companies market a 360 degree mat, pretty much just a round mat.

Then you're not turning it at all, and you don't have to worry.  The only challenge is that the ones I've seen are only 150cm (5ft), and may not be "long" enough.
 

That is deffinatly something to consider trying out. It sounds great! But for me, being 6'1, a 5ft mat would be a bit small.

ramsey6spain:

Having taught yoga before Balance, I find all the mat changes very disruptive. In BB 40 I change the mat 6 times

 

You changed 6 times on BB40?!!!!   This got to be a world record!

 

I did not change at all.  Just sideway all along, Taichi is left-right, then ask students to face my center class line to each other and enjoy the Sun Salutation.  then jump back to sideways for standing strength and others.  Flowing very well. 

 

Well someone must have been listening! The mat stays in the same position for the whole of BB41!! Hooray!! I love doing the Sun sals sideways, it is so much easier to demonstrate each move, especially the flat back extension. Although I guess looking to the side is not always ideal for the participants.

 Nevertheless, thanks Jackie!! You Rock!!
 

SydnySam, I always teach SS sideways as I find it easier for members (new ones especially) to look to the side as opposed to looking up fom the downdog or any other inverse pose.

That said, I am glad 41 doesn't require mat changes -- I always figured that since on the DVD's they don't use mats, they never gave too much thought to it until recently. 

The whole mat is such an issue when I teach #25 Standing Strength -- you need to use both directions, and I am okay with placing my feet off the mat, but participants (some) are really opposed to that (no slippage issue ).

cheers,

rosa