What does it mean to "hold space"?

What does it mean to hold space for someone?

Holding space sounds a little New-Agey, but it has a deep roots in ancient traditions.

Holding space is about accepting someone and something right now, not because its true, but because you truly know  that everyone is in the right place, on their right path, right where they need to be, right now.

You see without judging, without trying to fix, or change them.

But first you have to believe this is true about yourself.

When we hold space, we are right here in the present moment

And in the present moment, we experience the feeling that everything really is all right.

And what does it mean as a yoga teacher...

When you hold space  you see your student as they WANT to be....even if they don't see it yet.

Especially when they don't see it yet.

Because you DO see it.

You see their success.

You see them as already arrived where they want to be.

Then you hold that vision steady  - like holding the door open for someone so they can go through, and you are knowing for certain that they will.

This is a fantastic way to see ...EVERYONE you love (even yourself)

A good hot yoga teacher guides student through hot yoga with scripting and more.

But a great hot yoga teacher holds the space for your students to rise to who they truly are IN THIS MOMENT

You are not about fixing people, pushing people or my favorite: making them "live up to their potential."

You can only truly help someone by already seeing them as whole.

Does this mean that you are in control of their success?

Well....not completely..

You are not RESPONSIBLE for that person.....

but vibrationally you can make a great impact

This is one reason people feel wonderful in the presence of a truly great teacher: they are basking in the light you shine upon them.

Keep remembering to hold space for your students as you guide them through the asanas.

You guide students, yes

But you support students by NOT taking their power away (ie. trying to fix their problems), shaming them (ie. implying that they should know more than they do), or overwhelming them (ie. expecting them to do more than they’re ready for).

You offer a view of themselves through the eyes of Source: your eyes, for the next 90 minutes

Holding space is not just for yoga teachers.

It is something that we can do for our partners, children, friends, even strangers

And something we should first do for ourselves

Here is what I've learned about holding space as a yoga teacher:.

1. Trust your intuition.  As a hot yoga teacher you rely on your script but you trust in yourself, in your desire to support your students. NOT by doing it for them but by trusting that they can do it for themselves
2. Like people.. Encourage and praise; everyone wants to feel as good as they can right now, so see them at their highest selves right now
3. Don’t take their power away.  As a yoga teacher, you must keep students focused on following your instructions, but remember your students make their own choices about how deeply to move into a pose. Offer support but never push
4. Keep your negative bitch quiet.  Do the students like me? Do their comments reflect on me as a teacher...or a person? Am I as good a teacher as (whoever?) Why are there fewer students in my classes? To truly be a great teacher, just put all that self judgement on hold and hold space for You. 
5. Play safe. Students are bound to fall. CONGRATULATIONS, it says in your script!  When we recognize and praise,  we create a space to take joyful risks and to keep going with a smile. Yoga is a journey, like life. It's not about an end result.  Holding space in your class means your students learn to spend less time beating themselves up in class...and maybe even in life.
6. Give heartfelt guidance.  This is a careful dance we as yoga teachers must navigate: to offer firm instructions with just the right amount of allowing, to keep your students both safe and empowered
7. Honor all emotions. When students feel safe, emotions will surface. This is delicate work. Teaching requires confidence to allow your students to feel those feelings
8. Honor all experiences. Don't mistake the person lying down in Savasana for one who has given up; this may be someone who has given her all . Trust that each student is doing her best with what she has available to her in this moment.  Hold the space and honor every student where she is

It’s impossible to hold space for others unless you hold that space for yourself, accept and value yourself, right now.

Blisscipline: Holding Space For Yourself

Part 1:

• This week, come to one class with the intention to hold space for yourself:  accept whatever comes up for you in class;  embrace it, celebrate it!
• Experience each asana as completely perfect for where you are today.
• Let go of comparing yourself to your last class or to others in the class
• Be patient and gentle with yourself
  
• Be proud of yourself. Be happy for yourself. BE yourself.
  

Part 2: Share That Space

On the Riverflow Yoga Teachers FB Page, Write two paragraphs about your experience of holding space for yourself:

• How did you hold space for yourself?
• How did holding space impact your asanas?
• How did it impact your emotions?
• How did you feel in Final Savasana?
  
• Describe whatever happened for you during class....and afterwards in your life....let us know!