How you kick off your class matters

// a twisty balancing flow leading to revolved half-moon

Dear Humans,

You are walking to your mat to teach your yoga class. You have a group of students ready. They’re sitting on their mats, staring at you as you take your place at the front of the room.

What do those moments look like for you? I’m talking about the period from when you decide it’s time to start class all the way to the first teaching cues you provide.

I’ll call this the “kick off,” and I think it is so fascinating.

I’ve paid attention to dozens of teachers as they kick off their classes. Each does it in a slightly different way.

Some teachers just jump right in: “Let’s get started in child’s pose,” they say, no preamble, they’re just ready to go.

Other teachers take a lot of time at the kick off. They introduce themselves, they introduce what the class will focus on, or maybe they have a dharma talk or a lesson they are going to impart.

But even amidst those two poles, there’s a lot of diversity. Some teachers talk fast, some talk slow, some seem nervous, some make jokes, some seem like they are reading from a script—and everything in between.

This kick off period is interesting to me because it’s both the most intense period of “public speaking” throughout the whole class for the teacher (it’s right at the start, you have everyone watching you, you haven’t fully dropped into the energy of the group—it’s nerve wracking!), and it’s also arguably the first moment when students get a feel for who you are.

Put another way: The kick off can feel like a lot of pressure. And that’s why I think some teachers rush through it. Speaking with everyone staring at you feels different than speaking to students in mid-flow. Some teachers would rather get the students into position and then talk. I totally get this.

But, I want to suggest that the kick off matters. And for that reason, it’s important to get comfortable with it.

It matters because, whether you wish it was this way or not, it really is the first time you take the stage for your class. It sets a tone. Your students are going to clock it. Do you feel comfortable? That will make them feel comfortable. Do you seem like you have a plan for class? That will give them confidence. Do you have an inspiring message to impart? That will help them understand the intention of class.

I don’t mean to say that if you totally fumble your kick off you can’t bring it back, you absolutely can, but I do think it’s your first opportunity to show your students who you are and what you plan for them.

There’s not one way to do this. There are many ways. I just want to get you thinking about it: What does it look like for you?

If you’ve never thought about it before, start by noticing your go-tos. Then, maybe spend some time attending classes and notice what other teachers are doing. How does it make you feel? How does it impact your experience as a student?

For me, personally, I do like to introduce myself at the start of class. I think it sets a tone of familiarity right away. I tend to walk in and as I’m walking to my mat I say something like, “Hi everyone, so glad you’re here, I’m Izzy this is an All Levels class.”

Then, as I arrive on my mat I make a few choices. Usually I introduce some element of the flow. For example, in the sequence that I share in the newsletter today you’ll notice that it has alot of twisted balancing postures. So when I taught it in class I demoed a few of the tricky transitions right off the bat. I told the students this was so that they has a visual when the time came to find it during our sequence.

Sometimes I’ll also mention the intention or class theme, or I’ll explain an element of yogic philosophy that I’ll expand upon during the centering. Occasionally, I’m called to share a brief personal story and note how that story ties into a class theme.

Most importantly, I try not to talk for too long. Just a minute or two. I want to give the students a chance to get to know me and understand my intention for class, but I don’t want them to feel like we’re wasting time and I definitely don’t want to bore them.

Again, this is a nuanced thing. It will look different for each teacher. I think the biggest thing is to simply notice how you arrive and ask yourself what message it might convey.

And if it doesn’t convey what you want it to, then consider making a shift.

If you find that you’re really nervous at the start of class, and maybe your voice shakes a little as you speak (this used to happen to me all the time!) then start small. It will get easier and easier over time.

We do this because it builds confidence in ourselves as teachers. The more comfortable we get with the opening, the more comfortable we’ll be with holding the space throughout the practice. When you have confidence in yourself, it gives the students more confidence in you. This enhances their ability to really drop-in during class.

This, like so many other things, is a skill and a practice. The more you practice it, the more natural it will become.

Do you ever think about this? What are your go-tos? What is challenging about this? Let me know in the comments!

Today, my friends, I am sharing three standing sequences: a mini-flow, main flow, and peak flow. The class itself is designed around transitioning through twisted balancing postures. This can be difficult! Make sure to teach it slowly and encourage your students to focus on a solid foundation in the legs, and notice what their gaze is doing.

Everyone will get access to the main flow and then my paid subscribers get access to the other two.

This is a really fun and interesting class to take and teach. I hope you enjoy it!

Sending love,

Izzy

Izzy Martens

author, yoga teacher, sequence enthusiast

@yoga.humans | @martensizzy

What I Taught in Yoga This Week | June 11, 2025

main flow — the write-up:

• three legged dog

• low lunge

• high crescent lunge

• open arm twisted crescent lunge

• twisted one leg mountain

• open arm twisted crescent lunge

• twisted one leg mountain

• open arm twisted crescent lunge

• warrior II

• dancing warriors

• modified side lunge with a twist

• wide leg forward fold

• spinal waves

• low lunge

• easy twist

• revolved skandasana

  • wave up and down, lifting and lower hip and top arm

• unwind to high plank

• vinyasa to downdog!

To build a class around this sequence, I have two more flows—a mini-flow, which comes first and prepares the students for the bigger movements ahead, and a peak flow—which comes after the main flow and introduces peak postures like revolved half-moon. I share these at the end of the newsletter for paid subscribers!

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If you don’t have the means to become a regular paid subscriber, but want to send a thank you for the time and energy it takes to create this content, buy me a coffee instead!

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In our main flow we featured a tricky but fun transition from twisted crescent lunge to twisted one leg mountain. In these next two sequences, I show you how I foreshadow that transition, and then I introduce a sequence that takes us into more challenging peak postures and transitions like revolved half moon and revolved pyramid. I hope you enjoy!