- When I moved to Europe in 2021, I took yoga classes taught in indigenous languages in different regions.
- I’m a yoga teacher, and this has forced me to approach yoga in a new way and learn about my body’s limitations.
- By taking classes abroad, I was able to explore different studios and immerse myself in local cultures.
I’m an English-speaking yoga teacher, and I find there’s nothing quite like being in a dark, candlelit yoga class in Paris and hearing the teacher say, “sens ton coeur” or “feel your heart.”
I don’t speak French—despite studying for two years in college—but I find the language incredibly beautiful, like the magic of holiday lights twinkling in the words.
Since moving to Europe on my own in 2021, I’ve taken yoga classes in French, Italian, Portuguese, Flemish, German and Polish. (The French experience was my favorite). When I travel, I do my best to make time to practice yoga and look for local studios that teach in their native language versus those that teach in English.
By taking yoga classes in languages I don’t understand, I learned a lot about myself, my practice, and my teaching style because I stepped out of my comfort zone.
As a teacher, I have learned the value of nonverbal cues
When I don’t understand the words coming out of a teacher’s mouth, I look at their hands.
People who speak all different languages use hand gestures and incorporate them naturally into their yoga teaching. As a teacher, I have learned from these experiences that simple hand gestures can carry as much (if not more) power than a demonstration of posture.
Whether the teacher is highlighting a body part, indicating height, or imitating how they twist and turn, their hands speak a language of their own, and that’s something I’ve tried to incorporate into my teachings.
There is also value in tone, emphasis and volume. You can make an educated guess about what the teacher is instructing you to do by focusing on how you say something. Most teachers do this naturally to indicate relaxation or strength so that students know the intent behind the pose.
As a student, I gained greater physical awareness
Instead of trying to translate what the teacher says when I’m in a pose, I focus on translating what my body is telling me. While I assume the teacher is providing guidance on how to do the pose or go deeper into it, I turn inward to see how I need to adapt to feel more stable in the pose.
Doing this has helped me adapt to what feels good, rather than just following instructions. This increases my self-awareness. Although I can glean some instructions by watching the teacher or listening to his or her tone, sometimes I can’t get all the directions that way, so I take the opportunity to figure out what path my body wants to take me down, and it happens that I feel so liberated and clarified. unbelievable.
This class also helped me define my limits in yoga. In other words, it takes my ego out of the equation when I don’t know the language. I can tell if I want to be softer on myself when my body is tight. If so, I would avoid going too deep into the pose and stay still more often. This has also saved my shoulders and lower back, as I usually skip doing a lot of Chaturangas.
As a yoga lover, I have learned that it is a unifying practice
When teachers use authentic Sanskrit words in class, I appreciate it more. Sanskrit is the original language of Yoga and the origin of many Indian languages. There are many justifiable arguments made about the Westernization of yoga, and I enjoy hearing the radical terms on which this ancient practice was based. Whether you’re practicing yoga in Spain or Belgium, hearing a Sanskrit word or phrase (such as “adho mukha svanasana,” also known as downward-facing dog) triggers a note of recognition of yoga’s origin.
Taking a yoga class in a language you’re not fluent in can be an equalizer; By doing this, you will become somewhat of a beginner again, even if you are a teacher, because you have to approach practice differently and learn a new set of awareness tools.
Going to a yoga class in another language gives you a glimpse into the local community. I love hearing new languages, exploring different studios, and seeing how different students interact. It allows me to feel temporarily immersed in the local community.
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Traveling alone can be both exhilarating and intimidating, but one of the ways I love to immerse myself in the culture is by taking yoga classes in a foreign language. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about practicing yoga amidst unfamiliar surroundings and trying to follow along with instructions in a language I may not fully understand. Not only does it offer a unique way to stay active and centered while on the road, but it also provides a window into the local community and a chance to connect with others in a meaningful way.