YMCA Yoga Techniques & Instruction 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which pranayama technique involves alternating breath through each nostril?
- Kapalabhati
- Nadi Shodhana (Correct answer)
- Bhramari
- Ujjayi
Correct answer: Nadi Shodhana
Nadi Shodhana, or alternate nostril breathing, balances the two hemispheres of the brain and calms the nervous system.
Question 2: In yoga instruction, 'contraindication' refers to:
- A recommended modification for beginners
- A condition or situation where a pose should be avoided (Correct answer)
- A breathing pattern used during inversions
- A Sanskrit term for correct alignment
Correct answer: A condition or situation where a pose should be avoided
A contraindication is a specific condition, injury, or circumstance that makes a particular yoga pose inadvisable or potentially harmful.
Question 3: Which of the following best describes the purpose of Savasana at the end of a yoga class?
- To stretch the hamstrings after standing poses
- To allow the body to integrate the benefits of the practice (Correct answer)
- To prepare the body for the next active sequence
- To practice breath retention techniques
Correct answer: To allow the body to integrate the benefits of the practice
Savasana (Corpse Pose) allows the nervous system to absorb and integrate the physical and energetic effects of the entire yoga session.
Question 4: When teaching a beginner student Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I), the instructor should first emphasize:
- Raising the arms as high as possible overhead
- Establishing a stable base with proper foot placement (Correct answer)
- Deepening the lunge to 90 degrees immediately
- Closing the eyes to improve balance
Correct answer: Establishing a stable base with proper foot placement
Foundation and foot placement in Warrior I must be established first to ensure stability and proper alignment before addressing upper body positioning.
Question 5: Ujjayi pranayama is characterized by:
- Rapid diaphragmatic pumps that cleanse the lungs
- A soft oceanic sound created by constricting the throat slightly (Correct answer)
- Breathing exclusively through the mouth during exertion
- Holding the breath after full inhalation for extended periods
Correct answer: A soft oceanic sound created by constricting the throat slightly
Ujjayi breath involves a gentle constriction of the glottis, producing a soft sound like ocean waves, which helps focus the mind and regulate the breath.
Question 6: A student complains of lower back pain during forward folds. The most appropriate modification is to:
- Encourage the student to push through the discomfort to increase flexibility
- Have the student bend the knees and focus on lengthening the spine rather than folding deeply (Correct answer)
- Remove forward folds entirely from the student's practice
- Tell the student to place their hands on the floor regardless of back position
Correct answer: Have the student bend the knees and focus on lengthening the spine rather than folding deeply
Bending the knees in forward folds reduces tension on the hamstrings and allows the spine to lengthen without excessive strain on the lower back.
Question 7: The principle of 'ahimsa' in yoga instruction most directly applies to which teaching behavior?
- Pushing students to hold poses longer than they are comfortable
- Offering compassionate, non-harmful cues that respect each student's limits (Correct answer)
- Teaching only physically demanding sequences to maximize results
- Discouraging students from using props as a sign of weakness
Correct answer: Offering compassionate, non-harmful cues that respect each student's limits
Ahimsa means non-harming, and in instruction it means guiding students with compassion, respecting their individual limitations, and never forcing the body beyond safe ranges.
YMCA Yoga Techniques & Instruction 2
Which pranayama technique involves alternating breath through each nostril?