Yoga Class Instructions - Closing Yoga Class Script

Almost all yoga classes end with the hand gesture in Anjali Mudra (Namaste Mudra) - teachers bowing to the students and vice versa. But before this and right after the practice of Savasana (Corpse Pose) or yoga nidra, yoga teachers give certain instructions to guide the students to come out of the resting pose. These instructions are part of the Closing Yoga Class Script. The closing words vary based on the nature of class, style, time of practice, or anything that comes to a yoga teacher’s mind. It may be a structured script (useful for new yoga teachers) or based on the need of the hour (by experienced yoga teachers). The closing script can include reading quotes, or talking about any one limb of yoga, or just simply end with silence and Namaste. The most important part of the closing script is that yoga teachers should have a calm and soft tone while giving these instructions. Since the practice of Savasana is soothing, students need to continue to feel the soothing effect even after leaving the room, hence the teacher’s tone matters.

The Closing Yoga Class Script is a set of slow-paced instructions given to the students to come out from the complete resting state of their body and mind into the current reality. It prepares them to face the rest of the day feeling calm and in control. At times, students may even fall asleep during the resting pose or yoga nidra, therefore yoga teachers should be careful when guiding them to come out of their sleep. This can be by speaking up a bit louder, yet maintaining the tone, or gently waking the student up by touching him/her.

Given below are different ways (but on similar lines) of ending a yoga class which is a part of the Closing Yoga Class Script. Yoga teachers can choose to give short and long pauses during their instructions, wherever needed:

• Ending with a prayer

  (after Savasana) … Slowly come back to body consciousness. Move your toes. Move your fingers. Move your head from side to side. Interlock your fingers above your head, rest your arms on the ground. Turn your palms out and point your toes. Give your whole body a nice stretch. (You are waking up from a deep slumber, take your time).

  Let your right arm stay there. Exhale and place your left palm on your belly. Bend your left knee and gently roll towards the right side. Feel free to use your right arm as your pillow. Stay here for a couple of breaths.

  Gently push yourself off the mat using the left palm in front of you. Come to sit up in Sukhasana (Easy Pose), facing the front of the class. Keeping your eyes closed, bring your palms to the centre of your heart in Anjali Mudra (Namaskara Mudra).

  (Pranayama/Meditation/Any ending prayer)

  Exhale, fold forward and extend gratitude to Yoga: Asana, Pranayama & Dhyana. Inhale and gently roll back up.

  Rub your palms together to generate some heat. Place them over your eyes.. Face… ears… neck & shoulders.. Give your shoulders a tiny massage. Rub your palms again and wrap them around your wrists. Take your time and absorb the warmth. Place them on your knees, top of your head, and over your heart.

  Take a moment here, inhale deeply & expand your chest and belly, filling your lungs. As you exhale, bless yourself. Bless every cell in your body. Bless your entire existence. Finally, bless your friends & family.

  Join your palms at the centre of your heart, open them and take them away from your body. Gently open your eyes and gaze at them.

  Thank you & wish you a great day ahead.

• End with Chin Mudra

  Sit up in Sukhasana (Easy Pose). Hold the hands in Chin Mudra, with your eyes still closed.

  Be aware of your body. Observe how the body feels after the Asana practice. Be aware of your breath. Just observe the natural ingoing and outgoing breath. Be aware of your state of mind. Make a note of it to yourself.

  Rub your palms together. Place the palm of your hand over the eyes, without touching the eyelids. Gently massage your face, back of your neck, shoulders, arms, legs - any body part that needs your attention today.

  Bring your hands to the centre of your heart and tuck your chin slightly towards your chest. Open your palms, and blink your eyes. Gaze at your palms. Close the palms in namaste mudra, and bend forward - placing the hands on the mat in front of you. Give gratitude to yoga and the asana practice.

  Namaste. Thank you.

• End with reflecting on the practice

  Sit up in any comfortable posture with your eyes closed, and palms on your knees. Take a moment here to steady yourself.

  Adopting a Mudra of your choice, Gyan Mudra or Chin Mudra, or simply place the palms one on top of each other in front of you, in Dhyana Mudra, stay in this position for a few minutes, and reflect on your practice today.

  Take a moment here to observe the state of your body and mind, with every inhalation, allow your belly to expand out, and with every exhalation, sink your hips and knees towards the mat, let go completely. Let a sense of calm and peace wash over you.

  Move towards a space of Santosha or Contentment, feel good and positive about your practice today, without comparing or judging yourself, experience the sense of happiness across your body and mind.

  With these positive thoughts, slowly bring your palms to the centre of your heart, we will end this practice with 3 Om chanting. (If you are not chanting, you can simply listen to the vibrations of the chant with your eyes closed).

  Namaste and wishing you all a wonderful day today!

• End with silence and Om

  Slowly releasing from Savasana (Corpse Pose), turn to one side - keep your eyes closed - stay for a few breaths - slowly sit up crossing your legs (right first followed by left). (Don’t make any adjustments to your hair, clothes, or mat).

  Sit up, lengthening your back. Observe the silence within you.

  Now let us end the practice with sound vibrations - sounding the word OM (AUM) - breaking them into THREE parts . Three rounds of AAaa……, three rounds of OOoo……, three rounds on MMmm…... Inhale through both nostrils, exhale to sound the syllable.

  Remain in silence……………………(eyes remain closed)

  (eyes remain closed) Rub your palms, place the warm palms first on your eyes, forehead and neck, chest and belly, below the navel, and crown of the head.

  Stretch your arms on the floor, and go forward - giving your gratitude to Mother Earth - rest your forehead on the Earth. Bring a smile on your face, rise up - bringing your hands in Anjali Mudra (Namaskar Mudra).

  Thank you, everyone!!