Between the Lines: Teaching Yoga in Two Languages
Photo by Mona-Lisa Sell @m.on.a_l.is.a
In my yoga classes, I often switch between languages — sometimes I guide in German, other times in English. What may seem like a purely practical decision (depending on the format or the group) is, for me, something much deeper. It’s a shift between energies, between ways of expressing — and sometimes, even between different parts of myself.
Language Creates Space
Language in yoga isn’t just about giving instructions. It holds emotion, sets the tone, and creates a certain atmosphere. It’s a tool to guide not only the body, but also the inner experience.
When I teach in German, it often feels clear, grounded, and structured. It provides a sense of stability — especially during more technical or physically demanding sequences. There’s a directness in the language that can feel supportive, particularly for those who seek orientation and clarity.
English, on the other hand, flows more gently for me. It feels more fluid, softer — almost poetic at times. It allows a certain openness, especially during slower practices like Yin Yoga, meditation, or during moments of reflection. It gives space for emotional nuance and often invites a more intuitive response from students.
Holding Space Across Cultures
Many of my students in Hamburg come from different backgrounds. Language becomes a bridge — not just between me and them, but between them and their own experience. Sometimes, a certain word or phrase resonates more deeply simply because of the language it’s spoken in.
There are also subtle cultural differences that shape how people receive instructions. In German-speaking spaces, there can be a preference for clarity, structure, and precision. In English-speaking contexts, openness, curiosity, and personal interpretation might take a more central role. Navigating both requires sensitivity, and it constantly teaches me to listen, adapt, and stay present.
A Personal Journey
As a teacher, guiding in two languages has helped me become more conscious of how I hold space. It’s shown me where I tend to lead from my head and where I can drop more into the heart. Sometimes, I’ll translate the same sentence and notice how it completely shifts in tone, and in those moments, I ask myself: What feeling do I want to evoke here?
More than once, students have told me they felt something simply because of how a certain word landed, not because it was complex, but because it was true at that moment.
Why This Matters
Language is energy. And in yoga, everything is energy. Whether I speak German or English, my intention remains the same: to create a space where people feel safe, seen, and connected to themselves.
Maybe you’ve felt it too — that moment in class when the words seem to disappear, and all that’s left is sensation. Presence. Breath. That’s the space I hope to invite, no matter the language.
