Problem: Article: Before you start each class, spend 5-10 minutes before it starts talking to regulars and getting to know new faces. Establishing yourself as friendly and approachable will increase the likelihood of people going to your classes again. You might, for example, ask the whole class how their day was or if they have any fun plans for the weekend. Make a goal each class to remember one thing that a class member tells you and ask them about it again the next time you see them. Tell the class your name and a sentence or two about your experience so they can feel connected to you. After you've introduced yourself, ask your class about any injuries, pregnancies, or health conditions they might have so you can keep an eye out for those clients. You could say, for example, "Hello, my name is Taylor, and I've been a yoga teacher for three months here. Before we start the class, can I ask if anyone is pregnant or if there are any health conditions I should be aware of?" Some clients prefer a "tough love," drill sergeant-like instructor while others prefer a kinder, gentler approach. Most will be somewhere along the spectrum. Pay attention to your class as a whole and on the individual level so you can adjust your encouragements to what they prefer. As you get to know regular clients, you'll be able to remember what they respond well to. If you notice a person or group of people who seem to be falling behind, go out of your way to encourage them. Pay attention to and respond to their reactionif they want to be pushed hard, help them along but if they don't like the extra attention, let them exercise at their own pace.
Summary: Mingle with your clients before the class starts. Introduce yourself at the beginning of each class. Shape your leadership strategy based on the class. Watch for clients who seem to be struggling.

Problem: Article: While you might not think of them as values, you likely have a few things that you care about most in your life, like your family and friends. Take 5-10 minutes to think about what you believe is important in life and write these things down. Try to think of at least 5 things. For instance, you might write, "My family, being creative, helping others, being kind to animals, and learning new things." When you're doing something that's important to you, it's easy to lose yourself in the moment. Think about the times in your life when you've felt this way. Keep in mind that these experiences don't need to be "happy" to be engaging and enlivening. Then, ask yourself what made the experience fulfilling to figure out which value it might reflect. You could write, "When I helped my friend Amy after her accident," "When I won a service award at school," and "When I fostered a litter of kittens." Next, examine why you felt alive while helping your friend Amy. You may have enjoyed feeling helpful, but you might also realize that you had to get creative in finding activities you could do together during her recovery, which felt exciting. This activity lets you look back on your life to decide how you want to live. Picture yourself celebrating 8 decades on Earth and all that you've accomplished. Then, decide what this might suggest about your values in life. Ask yourself these questions: Who is at my party? What do people love about me? How have I impacted people's lives? What have I accomplished in life? What do your answers to the previous questions say about your values? First, identify 2 or 3 people who you admire, such as family members, friends, leaders, celebrities, or fictional characters. Then, figure out what you admire about them, such as their accomplishments or talents. Next, decide what values they might reflect from your perspective. These are likely personal values that you hold. For example, you might admire Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. for his courage, commitment to standing up for what is right, and selflessness. Fold a piece of paper in half or create 2 columns in a word document. On the left side of your page, write down your answers to the questions below. On the right side of the page, write down what each entry on your list might show about your values. Your list will probably be really long, but that's a good thing because it gives you more ways to learn about yourself. What do you want to accomplish? What do you want to be in life or your career? What things do you hope to have? What do you hope to experience? How do you want to spend your time? What are your goals and aspirations? A values inventory consists of a list of values that you can review. Circle or write down the values that you identify with. Then, pick out the top 10 values on your list to figure out what's most important to you. For instance, you can use this list here: https://www.cmu.edu/career/documents/my-career-path-activities/values-exercise.pdf After you've done 1 or more activities to reveal your values, compile a list of the top 10 that are most important to you. Then, rank these values from 1-10, with number 1 being the value most important to you. Use this list to help you make choices for your life and career. It's okay for your values and their ranking to change over time. You're always learning, growing, and changing, so it's natural for some values to change.
Summary: List the things that are most important to you in life. Identify 3-5 experiences where you truly felt alive and engaged. Imagine what you want people to say about you on your 80th birthday. Think about what you admire in other people to discover your values. List the things you really want in life. Use a values inventory list to decide what's important to you. Rank the top 10 core values that you've identified.

Problem: Article: Depending on the number of family members and guests, you may need more than one. Ask your friends to bring their tents if needed. If you are new to camping, follow the instructions to assemble a tent. Use a good quality tent; this isn't the time for the beach shade. It must be a tent you'd really camp in, to protect you from the rain, bugs, and wind. Put something soft on the floor to lie on: camping cots, a blow-up air mattress, yoga mats, a thick comforter, or even couch cushions work well. Add pillows and lightweight sleeping bags or cotton blankets for summer warmth, especially if you live where the night temperatures dip considerably. Add soft toys or stuffed animals for the kids. Put a few flashlights, lanterns, or glow sticks in each tent as well. You can also set out decks of cards or board games in case it gets chilly. If you have a picnic table or a patio set, that would work best. Otherwise, set up a few lawn chairs and a small table to set out drinks and food. A low-maintenance option is to lay out a blanket in the sun, so that your friends can relax, eat, and chat. Be sure the grass isn't wet! Before laying out the seating area, do a sweep for doggy do-do, ant hills, prickles, or other irritants and nasties that might spoil the experience. Mosquito bites will surely put a damper on the fun, so be sure to get plenty of bug repellant for you and your guests. You could also use a bug zapper or light citronella candles or tiki torches filled with citronella to keep pesky bugs away. Ensure your children know not to touch or play with bug zappers, citronella candles, or tiki torches. Even bug spray can be dangerous if ingested or sprayed in the eyes. Make sure an adult supervises or applies the products for children. You could prepare something ahead of time, or even order out. Pizza is a good option, if you are with a large group of people. Have a few bags of chips, or other snack items set out, as well as a cooler full of ice with a variety of drinks. For hot summer afternoons consider making homemade treats, including: Pizza Hot dogs Fries Popcorn Lemonade Chocolate chip cookies
Summary:
Set up your tent(s). Prepare your bedding. Fill the tent(s). Arrange a seating area. Bring out the bug spray. Set out food and drinks.