Teach Smarter Series — How To Go Beyond Repetitive Physical Cues: A Guide for Yoga Teachers

I’ve been looking forward to sharing this conversation with you because it’s one of my favorite topics inside the Teach Smarter module of my 300-hour YTT. If you’ve ever felt stuck repeating the same physical cues, or you’ve wondered how some teachers create classes that feel profound while others feel purely physical, this episode is going to feel like a breath of fresh air. I’m walking you through what it actually means to go from gross to subtle, why it matters for your teaching longevity, and how you can start doing it immediately—without sounding woo-woo or abandoning the foundations.

Think of this as a peek behind the curtain of how I teach cueing, communication, and awareness-building inside the training. You’ll leave with a deeper understanding of the different types of subtle cues, why physical alignment cues aren’t enough, and how to create classes that feel meaningful, meditative, and transformative for your students—no matter their age, ability, or experience level. Grab your journal and chai, because this one is packed.

Teach Smarter Episode Highlights:

• Explanation of the Teach Smarter module and how this episode builds on the “Gross to Subtle” workshop.
• Why two teachers can teach the same pose but create completely different student experiences.
• The difference between the gross (sthula) body and the subtle (sukshma) body.
• Why most modern yoga teaching gets stuck in the gross physical layer.
• The limitations of staying in purely physical cueing—repetition, boredom, overthinking alignment, teacher burnout, and lack of depth.
• Clear signs that a teacher may be relying too heavily on gross cueing.
• Introduction to subtle cueing as a precise and grounded practice—not vague or woo-woo.
• Overview of the six types of subtle cueing:
  • Attention cues
  • Breath cues
  • Pranic-direction cues
  • Sensory cues
  • Interoceptive cues
  • Energetic sequencing
• A practical example of Warrior II comparing gross cues vs. subtle cues.
• Guidance on how teachers can begin practicing subtle cueing:
  • Use intentional pauses
  • Let the breath lead the teaching
  • Choose one subtle layer per class
  • Stop micromanaging alignment
  • Practice receiving your own cues
  • Trust your students’ intelligence
• Why subtle cueing matters for long-term student development and sustainable practice, especially as students age.
• A self-inquiry checklist for teachers to evaluate their cueing approach.
• Reflective questions for both teachers and students to deepen their awareness in asana.
• Encouragement to revisit the episode, reflect, and apply the concepts.
• Invitation to explore the 300-hour YTT and how the training weaves ancient wisdom with modern teaching needs.
• Brief overview of the three modules:
  • Sequence Smarter
  • Breathe Smarter
  • Teach Smarter

Resources and Links Mentioned:

• Let’s Talk Yoga Episode 206 – The 300-Hour YTT You’ve Been Waiting For — All the Details Inside
• Instagram post: Six Qualities of Breath in Asana
• Waitlist for the Online 300-Hour Yoga Teacher Training (launching January)
• Sequence Smarter – The Living Body of Asana
• For teachers living in India, reach out for special local pricing to Janessa [email protected]
• In-Studio 200-Hour Yoga Study Program (Redmond/Seattle)
• Join our mailing list
• Subscribe to Aham Yoga on YouTube
• Let’s Talk Yoga Podcast on YouTube
• Leave us a review and share this podcast with your friends!