A New person attended one of my yoga classes today.  This person had only ever tried one yoga class whilst on holiday before.  After class, they commented to me that they were surprised to have found my descriptions of poses, instructions and guidance around breath and sequencing easy to follow and understand.  They were easy to follow so the person was able to achieve and explore the practice without having to be able to see me demonstrating.  Quite quickly the person found there was no need to even watch others in the class.
I guess my descriptions and guidance were delivered in a way that was easily understood for that person but the fact that this person was able to stay so attentive and focused on my voice helped enormously.
Perhaps this person’s preferred learning style is auditory?

Did you know that each of us usually has a preferred/dominant learning style/preference?

You may be a visual learner, relying mostly on the sense of sight to see or watch things or have visual aids to support your learning.
You may be an auditory learner, relying mostly on the sense of hearing to learn by listening.
You may be a kinaesthetic learner who learns through hands on, using their sense of touch.
It is very likely that you will have more than one preference but one is usually dominant.
​

How does knowing this help me in Yoga class?
​
In a yoga class, it is the job of the teacher to lead the class in a way that makes understanding easy for all those in the class.  It is not the fault of the student if they don’t understand or cannot translate the instructions given.  
As the teacher, I need to constantly check around the room and be aware if anyone may not have been able to follow my guidance.  I need to work out if I need to describe something differently, or perhaps demonstrate a pose.
For the kinaesthetic learner, I might need to describe in more detail using words that guide them to feel their way into a pose and lead them to explore via their sense of touch. 
For the auditory learner, I may have not spoken clearly or loudly enough or I may have used unfamiliar language or words.  
For a visual learner, a demonstration is often helpful and sometimes an analogy can be useful.
Often a combination of the above creates the right recipe.

Can I do anything to help myself?
​
You, as the student in class can help yourself by positioning yourself in the room so that you can take best advantage of your preferred or dominant learning style.  Can you see the teacher clearly?  Can you hear the teacher clearly?
Please, please, please, let the teacher know you don't understand or are not able to follow the instructions if you feel they haven't noticed you are confused.  It's not your fault.  
​I am grateful to my own teachers who over the years have helped me develop the skills to convey as best I can to my students.  However, there will always be times I don’t do as well as I would like.  I love to be challenged and I am always willing to find another way to help a student experience the benefits of yoga.

How do I know my preferred learning style?  (I hear you ask.)
Below is a  VAK (Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic) Learning Styles Self Assessment Questionnaire, designed to help you work that out if you are interested.  Give it a go……..

Circle or tick the answer that most represents how you generally behave.

1.    When I operate new equipment I generally:

a)    read the instructions first
b)    listen to an explanation from someone who has used it before
c)    go ahead and have a go, I can figure it out as I use it

​2.    When I need directions for traveling I usually:

a)    look at a map
b)    ask for spoken directions
c)    follow my nose and maybe use a compass

3.    When I cook a new dish, I like to:

a)    follow a written recipe
b)    call a friend for an explanation
c)    follow my instincts, testing as I cook

4.    If I am teaching someone something new, I tend to:

a)    write instructions down for them
b)    give a verbal explanation
c)    demonstrate first and then let them have a go

5.    I tend to say:

a)    watch how I do it
b)    listen to me explain
c)    you have a go

6.    During my free time I most enjoy:

a)    going to museums and galleries
b)    listening to music and talking to my friends
c)    playing sport or doing DIY

7.    When I go shopping for clothes, I tend to:

a)    imagine what they would look like on
b)    discuss them with the shop staff
c)    try them on and test them out

8.    When I am choosing a holiday I usually:

a)    read lots of brochures
b)    listen to recommendations from friends
c)    imagine what it would be like to be there

9.    If I was buying a new car, I would:

a)    read reviews in newspapers and magazines
b)    discuss what I need with my friends
c)    test-drive lots of different types

10.    When I am learning a new skill, I am most comfortable:

a)    watching what the teacher is doing
b)    talking through with the teacher exactly what I am supposed to do
c)    give it a try myself and work it out as I go

11.    If I am choosing food off a menu, I tend to:

a)    imagine what the food will look like
b)    talk through the options in my head or with my partner
c)    imagine what the food will taste like

12.    When I listen to a band, I can’t help:

a)    watching the band members and other people in the audience
b)    listening to the lyrics and the beats
c)    moving in time with the music

13.    When I concentrate, I most often:

a)    focus on the words or pictures in front of me
b)    discuss the problem and the possible solutions in my head
c)    move around a lot, fiddle with pens and pencils and touch things

14.    I choose household furnishing because I like:

a)    their colours and how they look
b)    the descriptions the sales-people give me
c)    the textures and what it feels like to touch them

15.    My first memory is of:

a)    looking at something
b)    being spoken to 
c)    doing something

16.    When I am anxious, I:

a)    visualise the worst-case scenarios
b)    talk over in my head what worries me most
c)    can’t sit still, fiddle and move around constantly

17.    I feel especially connected to other people because of:

a)    how they look
b)    what they say to me
c)    how they make me feel

18.    When I have to revise for an exam, I generally:

a)    write lots of revision notes and diagrams
b)    talk over my notes, alone or with other people
c)    imagine making the movement or creating the formula

19.    If I am explaining to someone I tend to:

a)    show them what I mean
b)    explain to them in different ways until they understand
c)    encourage them to try and talk them through my ideas as they do it

20.    I really love:

a)    watching films, photography, looking at art or people watching
b)    listening to music, the radio or talking to friends
c)    taking part in sporting activities, eating fine foods and wines and dancing

21.    Most of my free time is spent:

a)    watching television
b)    talking to friends
c)    doing a physical activity or making things

22.    When I first contact a new person, I usually:

a)    arrange a face to face meeting
b)    talk to them on the telephone
c)    try to get together while doing something else, such as an activity or a meal

23.    I first notice how people:

a)    look and dress
b)    sound and speak
c)    stand and move

24.    If I am angry, I tend to:

a)    keep replaying in my mind what it is that has upset me
b)    raise my voice and tell people how I feel
c)    stamp about, slam doors and physically demonstrate my anger

25.    I find it easiest to remember:

a)    faces
b)    names
c)    things I have done

26.    I think you can tell if someone is lying if:

a)    they avoid looking at you
b)    their voice changes
c)    they give me funny vibes

27.    When I meet an old friend:

a)    I say “It’s great to see you!”
b)    I say “It’s great to hear from you!”
c)    I give them a hug or a handshake

28.    I remember things best by:

a)    writing notes or keeping printed details
b)    saying them aloud or repeating words and key points in my head
c)    doing or practising the activity or imagining it being done

29.    If I have to complain about faulty goods, I am most comfortable:

a)    writing a letter
b)    complaining over the phone
c)    taking them back to the store or posting them back to head office

30.    I tend to say:

a)    I see what you mean
b)    I hear what you are saying
c)    I know how you feel

Now add up how many A’s, B’s and C’s you selected.

A’s =

B’s =

C’s =

If you chose mostly A’s you have a VISUAL learning style

If you chose mostly B’s you have an AUDITORY learning style

If you chose mostly C’s you have a KINAESTHETIC learning style

Some people find that their learning style may be a blend of two or three styles, in this case read about the styles that apply to you in the explanation.

VAK Learning Styles Explanation

The VAK learning styles model suggests that most people can be divided into one of three preferred styles of learning.  These three styles are as follows, (there is no right or wrong learning style)

• Someone with a visual learning style has a preference for seen or observed things, including pictures, diagrams, demonstrations, displays, handouts, films, flipchart, etc.  These people will use phrases such as “show me” , “let’s have a look at that” and will be best able to perform a new task after reading the instructions or watching someone else do it first.  These are the people who will work from lists and written directions and instructions.

 

• Someone with an auditory learning style has a preference for the transfer of information through listening: to the spoken word of self or others, of sounds and noises.  These people will use phrases such as “tell me” , “let’s talk it over” and will be best able to perform a new task after listening to instructions from an expert.  These are the people who are happy being given spoken instructions over the phone, and can remember all the words to songs they hear!

 

• Someone with a kinaesthetic learning style has a preference for physical experience – touching, feeling, holding, doing, practical hands-on experiences.  These people will use phrases such as “Let me try”, “how do you feel?” and will be best able to perform a new task by going ahead and trying it out, learning as they go.  These are the people who like to experiment, hands-on, and never look at the instructions first!

People commonly have a main preferred learning style, but this will be part of a blend of all three.  Some people have a very strong preference; other people have a more even mixture of two, or less commonly, three styles.
When you know your preferred learning style(s) you understand the type of learning that works best for you.
There is no right or wrong learning style.  The point is that there are types of learning that are right for your own preferred learning style.

Why do we do yoga barefoot?  (Do I have to?)
How much time do you spend barefoot?  I guess we will all come up with a different answer to this but for most of us in the UK, I bet the percentage of time spent barefoot is pretty low.  We stuff our feet into shoes, trainers, boots or slippers protecting them from cold, damage, dirt, and discomfort.  We even get our babies into shoes as soon as we can.  Spending some time barefoot each day has many benefits.
​
How is barefoot good for us?
Have you ever heard people saying they feel energised and “grounded” when standing barefoot on the earth?  I particularly love standing barefoot on a dewy lawn in the summer.  Having bare feet allows for natural movement of all joints within the foot and subsequently, natural motion of the body through natural alignment.  We get to strengthen the muscles, ligaments and tendons in our feet by making them work to support us as we move, rather than relying on the support/scaffolding of our footwear.  Strengthening the muscles of the feet, helps avoid dropped arches and other foot discomforts.  We also receive a foot massaging effect. 

Most shoes constrict our feet, preventing full range of movement of all joints.  We are prevented from experiencing through our sense of touch.  We cannot separate our toes allowing their free movement or allow air between the toes.  The various contact points between foot and shoe creates pressure.  Any comfy cushioning in the shoes can be destabilising. If we are wearing shoes, we place a barrier between our energy and that of the earth.  Shoes prevent our feet from the full range of flexibility and appropriate use of sense of touch.  
​
It is believed that there is a transmission of energy/energetic connection between us and the earth via the nerve endings in our feet, which is greater when we are in direct contact.  This energetic transmission connection is believed to be beneficial in terms calming and relieving various discomforts and dis-eases of the body and mind. 

“What does it mean to feel grounded” (I hear you ask)
To feel grounded can mean different things to different people, I am sure but I understand it to be feeling assured, at ease, consciously present, centred, clear, focused and strong.

Why practice yoga barefoot?
Bare feet enable us to better establish contact with the ground, therefore improving balance - essential in standing postures.  Our feet feel grounded through subtle body connection with the earth during motion and stillness, allowing us to feel energised.  We need good weight distribution through the soles of the feet, heels and toes to ensure good alignment of ankles, knees and hips.  Dexterity of feet is improved so allowing gripping with toes if/when required. 

Did you know there are 29 muscles in the feet and ankles?  These muscles may be very small but as they are supporting our foundation, a small problem with a tiny muscle may create a ripple effect of misalignment much further up the body affecting quality of life.
​
Stretching through the feet is so valuable but stretching is compromised inside shoes.  Plantar fasciitis can be relieved,  reversed or avoided through stretching and strengthening of feet and ankles.  Our touch sensation is more effective and heightened when barefoot.  This can support us psychologically as well as helping us feel grounded.

When our feet are in shoes, we don’t get to exercise all of the small muscles in the feet and many of the nerves endings at the feet are not stimulated, meaning we lose some ability to feel the ground and maintain balance.  You may hear me suggesting in standing postures “imagine sending roots down from your body, through your feet deep into the earth - rather like trees tethering themselves strongly and feeding from the earth”.  With the busy lives we often lead, we can lose our sense of groundedness - instead feeling scattered, frantic, “airy”, unsettled with difficulty in focusing and stillness.  Connecting firmly to the earth through bare feet, can help us gain greater awareness, settle the mind and feel  more stable and grounded.

​On our yoga mats, bare feet allow for better grip and slip avoidance than socked feet, so avoiding injury.  Some postures require us to hold a toe - tricky when wearing socks although there are socks with toes are available these days.
It is surprising just how much the yoga teacher can tell by looking at a student’s feet in yoga poses.  Advice on tiny adjustments can help the student achieve a safer or more comfortable posture.  Socks often hide clues as to what is going on.

Tradition
Traditionally, yoga was practiced by yogis wearing very few clothes.  It was considered that too much clothing restricted free movement of the body and distracted the practitioner from connection with the present moment.
In a traditional yoga studio, you will notice people remove their shoes before entering.  This is as a mark of respect to the studio owners, cleaning staff, fellow yogis and minimises the tracking of dirt into the room.  This practice is rooted in history and Indian tradition where we do not enter any home, place of worship or even shops without first removing shoes.

I don’t want to remove my socks!
Of course I will not force anyone to do something they are not comfortable with - including removing socks.  These days, we can buy engineered socks designed to wear for yoga.  These apparently provide some grip/anti-slip fabric and enable greater flexibility than standard socks.  There are some foot conditions that will make working barefoot very uncomfortable - do speak to your teacher about this. 
There are some sections of a yoga class during which you cool down eg in meditation/relaxation when you will benefit from replacing socks or covering your feet with a blanket for comfort and to avoid distraction.  Of course - go ahead be comfortable. 
​
Staying safe when practicing barefoot in yoga
Most yoga practitioners these days have their own yoga mat.  Many studios have mats available to loan out and these will be cleaned after every use to avoid transmission of bugs etc.
Washing feet before and after yoga is recommended and regular washing of a yoga mat will reduce the presence of any bugs.
If you feel the need, you could bring slippers to find your way to your mat space once you have removed your shoes.


Shoes/Socks/Bare feet - its all your choice ultimately but I do recommend we all try to spend some of our time in yoga class on our yoga mats in bare feet - if not in class, try it in the privacy of your home.  You never know - you may become a  convert!