I was a flight attendant for 4 years and during that time I practiced Yoga in a diversity of contexts: in hotel rooms watching YouTube classes, at fancy studios in Dubai, during retreats and workshops in Southeast Asia and more. but there was something in common: it was always in English.
when I came back to Argentina and I went to a Yoga class in Spanish it felt like a complete different practice. My body didn’t quite recognise the instructions, it felt super weird (and I guess that’s how it feels normally when you practice in English for the first time, right?)
after some time I familiarised with the Yoga practice in Spanish and I even started studying and teaching Yoga in Spanish!
but, of course, as an English for Yoga teacher I often reflect on the differences between guiding in English and Spanish.
In general I would say that:
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English is more straightforward, ideal for effective instructions.
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Spanish is better for metaphors and linguistic decoration
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English can be very rhythmic and synthetic for guiding vinyasa
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Spanish makes it easier to pronounce Sanskrit words
but…
at the end of the day we are the users of the languages and we also influence them with our personality. I have seen teachers guiding very effectively in Spanish and in a very decorated way in English.
being a bilingual teacher can help you taking the best out of both languages!
the key is to pick our words with purpose,
both in English and in Spanish
don’t use words you are not a 100% sure of their meaning
don’t say things just to fill up the silence
be inclusive with your language
work on your speech, it will make a huge difference
After many years studying and working in English,
I feel I can help you refining your instructions :)
Contact me for 1:1 sessions if you feel you can benefit from this!
