On and Off Your Mat Yoga Podcast

If you are a newer teacher sequencing might feel overwhelming at times and having some structure can be very grounding and helpful. If you are not a teacher, this episode is still for you, don’t go anywhere. Having some knowledge, some behind the curtain information about sequencing might help you identify or choose the right teacher for you and it might help you create a container for your own self-practice, give you direction and encourage you to step on the mat more regularly.

For this episode, I sat down with Jason Crandell. Jason is a natural teacher and author with more than 20 years of experience. Named “one of the teachers shaping the future of yoga,” by Yoga Journal, Jason has been an in-demand teacher at conferences around the world for more than a decade. Considered a teacher’s teacher, Jason has taught on countless teacher-training faculties, leads trainings globally, and regularly presents teacher-training content at esteemed conferences, so he’s the perfect guest to talk about sequencing.

1- Teachers should not focus on creativity first in their sequencing. Creativity is important but there are skills to be learned first. A sequence should be an expression of what you want to teach on that day. Once you have identified what you are trying to teach and how you will get there, then you can sprinkle creativity in.

2- All details matter but not all details matter equally. If you want to offer a whole-body movement and feel-good practice, you can't teach too many techniques at the same time. You can be detailed as much as you want but not about everything you are teaching. Be specific with your details, but create repetition in the details you choose, so students can learn.

3- Sequencing is not about rules. It's about creating a container, a structure you can color in.

4- Here's his architectural sequencing method:

- Choose a few (3) focal points (region of the body, postural techniques, theme, peak pose...)

- Preparation (teach your detail, specific things in link with your focal point)

- Sun Salutations and variation (establish timing, rhythm, cadence, pacing)

- Sun Salutation and Standing Posture (rhythm and focal points, options for different bodies, ability, and intensity desire)

- Sun Salutation and Arm Balance/Inversion

- Backbends

- Forebends, Twists

- Closing (Savasana)

5- The psychological and psycho-emotional aspects of yoga are implicits to the process. They come from the embodied experience of the practice, not the intellectual or rational explanation of the concepts. The essence of yoga is a sensory experience of the asana. If you believe in the teaching of the yoga tradition, there's no difference between what is physical or philosophical. A class is not more spiritual or less spiritual, the spirituality is just more or less spelled out for you.

• Your main teachers are Rodney Yee, Richard Rosen, and Ramanan Patel, what’s one thing you’ve learned from each that is now part of your teachings today?
• Your style of vinyasa is slightly different from other vinyasa teachers, why do you emphasize alignment and technique in your vinyasa? Why is it important for you?
• Why do you think teachers should follow a sequencing method and commit to it?
• Do you think sequencing can help personal practice?
• Can we go over the steps of your sequencing method?
• Why do you choose the physical as a focal point and less the philosophy?

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Jason Crandell is a natural teacher and author with more than 20 years of experience. Named “one of the teachers shaping the future of yoga,” by Yoga Journal, Jason has been an in-demand teacher at conferences around the world for more than a decade. Considered a teacher’s teacher, Jason has taught on countless teacher-training faculties, leads trainings globally, and regularly presents teacher-training content at esteemed conferences. Jason’s primary teacher is Rodney Yee—who was kind enough to say, “Jason is taking the art of teaching yoga to its next level.”

For the past 10 years, Jason has honed his approach by looking to peers outside of the yoga community, in the fields of physical therapy, orthopedics, traumatology, and sports medicine. These collaborative partnerships have enabled Jason to offer the most up-to-date to asana technique, cueing, injury management, and hands-on adjustments. Jason’s goal is to blend the timeless wisdom of yoga philosophy with evidence-based information to create yoga curriculum that helps modern practitioners grow and evolve.

His website: www.jasonyoga.co