9 Sequencing Mistakes To Avoid As A Yoga Teacher

I’ve been deep in the process of building my 300-hour online teacher training, and today’s episode is a little different. I’m sharing a read-through and reflection from one of the sequencing chapters inside the program, because sequencing is one of the most misunderstood (and under-taught) skills in modern yoga education.

When I first started teaching, I thought sequencing meant lining up poses, making people sweat, and keeping things “interesting.” Over time—and after thousands of hours on the mat with students—I realized that good sequencing has very little to do with choreography and everything to do with intention, structure, and responsibility. This episode is part confession, part teaching, and part invitation to rethink how we plan classes.

By the end of this conversation, you’ll understand what yoga sequencing actually is, why it matters so deeply for both teachers and students, and the most common missteps I see yoga teachers make—many of which I made myself. If you’ve ever felt unsure about class planning, overwhelmed by variety, or stuck repeating the same patterns, this one is for you.

Episode Highlights:

• What is sequencing
• Why sequencing is a skill, not a formula
• What yoga sequencing truly means beyond pose choreography
• How thoughtful sequencing supports safety, longevity, and nervous system regulation
• The role of structure, progression, intention, and integration in class planning
• Why sequencing shapes the energetic and pranic arc of a class
• How intelligent sequencing builds trust, confidence, and professional credibility

The 9 Sequencing Mistakes to Avoid:

1. Treating sequencing as simply linking poses together
2. Over-focusing on peak poses at the expense of purpose
3. Skipping joint preparation and intelligent warm-ups
4. Overloading classes with too many poses
5. Neglecting counter-poses and proper class closure
6. Designing sequences based on personal preference instead of student needs
7. Ignoring the energetic arc and pranic system
8. Forcing philosophy or over-theming without embodiment
9. Failing to teach toward longevity and sustainable practice

Resources and Links Mentioned:

• Let’s Talk Yoga Episode 206 – The 300-Hour YTT You’ve Been Waiting For — All the Details Inside
• 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]
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