The Power of Language in Yoga Teaching.

As a dyslexic yoga teacher, I try to be very intentional with the language I use. Words have the power to guide the body, spark curiosity, or help us feel something in a completely new way. Sometimes that means adding unusual phrases into a class, like the time I said, “If you don’t feel a sausage in your body, try xxx” and I couldn’t help but grin at myself.

Language in yoga is meant to evolve, just as our practice does. I have have mentioned before I often avoid using asana names because fresh cues invite our brains and bodies to respond differently, to notice new sensations. I’m not claiming my “sausage” cue was the most elegant, but people smiled and I think it got the message across.

Recently, in class I was sharing Warrior 3 which for some is a challenging balance pose. I noticed clearly that everyone was at their own stage of exploration. I love seeing this. When I said, “If you are still working towards something in your space, your shape, your asana, linger a little. If you’re not achieving anything, please come out,” it was not meant to shame anyone. Sometimes my language might feel clumsy, yet afterwards, several people shared how much they appreciated it. It invited them to reflect on why they were doing what they were doing, not to overachieve or judge themselves if they couldn’t, to simply be present with their experience.

If you want to make the most perfectly aligned shapes, that’s wonderful however that is no longer my teaching. I no longer aspire for perfection. I am here to support your mind body connection and to encourage the development of new neural pathways in the brain, helping you experience your body and your practice in fresh ways. We are not machines, performing the same movements on autopilot; our nervous system thrives on novelty and awareness.

Science shows that yoga isn’t just good for the body, it shapes the brain too. Through neuroplasticity, our brains rewire themselves in response to new experiences, so exploring different movements and noticing subtle shifts can strengthen new pathways. Embodied cognition tells us that how we move affects how we think and feel, so paying attention to sensations is a form of mental and emotional training. And by practicing mindfulness and presence, we engage our prefrontal cortex while downregulating stress responses, supporting both mental and physical wellbeing.

This is why I love yoga. Every practice is an opportunity to unlock layers of our own wisdom, to explore our bodies, our minds, and the way language can guide both. Every unusual cue, every pause, every invitation to linger or step out is a chance to experiment, to learn, and to connect with ourselves in a deeper way.

Naomi Hurst