How I Teach Staff Pose With A Poet's Heart: Using Symbolism

Table of Contents

How I Teach Staff Pose (Dandasana) With A Poet’s Heart: Uncovering The Symbolism Behind The Pose

In this post, you’re going to become aware of the symbolism behind Staff pose so you can turn a run-of-the-mill teaching into a memorable one for your students.

So, let’s explore the symbolism behind Staff pose.

The Four Steps I Use To Teach Staff Pose Using Symbolism…

Step 1: Choose A Staff Pose Symbol

Choose one of the symbolic meanings of the “staff ” (see below) and weave it into a yoga class theme.

For example if you choose “leadership”, talk about leadership while students are in staff pose. You could say something like: “Did you know that in most cultures the staff is an ancient symbol of leadership. While you’re in staff pose, consider what area of your life needs your leadership right now. Most people usually have at least one area of their life that needs attention.”

Staff Symbolism

Channel: In esoteric circles, the staff is seen as a channel between heaven and earth. The magician holding staff has a direct link to the spirit and earth realms because the staff connects the two.

Leadership: In most cultures, past and present, the staff signifies leadership.

Leadership: In ancient times, the staff was used by shepherds to lead their flock.

Leadership: In ancient Greece, the staff of Asclepius (god of medicine and healing) and the staff called caduceus (carried by Hermes in Greek mythology) are symbols of the ancient Greek/Roman culture. The staff embodied the Hippocratic oath to lead a life filled with honour.

New Beginnings: In tarot, the staff is a symbolic representation of the number one. It therefore symbolises new beginnings.

More Staff Symbolism

Authority
Dignity
Guidance
Leadership
Magic wand
Masculinity
One
Pilgrimage
Rulership

Step 2: Give A Staff Pose Handout To Your Students

How To Teach Staff Pose Using Imagery

You can create your own yoga class handouts by taking images of yourself in poses, and using a free image editor such as Canva.com to add text. Or, an easier way, is to get my Yoga Stick Figure Kit, and use stick figures (like the one above).

I provide all my new students a personalised yoga folder. When I rock up to class with a new handout, they put it in their folder. I ask them to bring their folders to class.

Students love yoga class handouts. That’s why I’ve included 250+ downloadable handouts within my Online Yoga Lesson Planner.

Step 3: Teach The Basics Of Staff Pose

Below is some basic information about staff pose.

Sanskrit
Dandasana

Danda = stick
Asana = posture

Teaching Steps Using Imagery

Imagine yourself as a sturdy staff rooted into the earth, unyielding and tall. Stretch your legs out in front like the smooth, straight lines of a path, toes pointing upward toward the sky. Picture your spine as a golden thread pulled gently upward, aligning each vertebra like beads on a string. Let your hands press lightly into the ground beside you, like anchors steadying you, while your sitting bones sink deeply into the earth for balance and support.

Benefits

Eases sciatica pain
Improves posture
Stretches chest
Stretches shoulders
Strengthens back muscles

Modifications

Lay a 10-pound sandbag across tops of thighs
Sit on folded blanket to lift pelvis
Sit with back against wall

Precautions

Lower back injury
Wrist injury
Lower back injury

Preparation Poses

Downward Facing Dog
Standing Forward Bend

Step 4: Teach A Modification Or Two

Below are 30 modifications for Staff pose for beginner, intermediate and advanced students.

When you look through them, stop at a modification that you like the sound of, close your eyes, and imagine teaching it to your class. This visualisation technique works wonders for top sportspeople, and will work wonders for you too!

Beginner Modifications for Staff Pose

Support With Blanket
Place a folded blanket under your hips to elevate them, making it easier to sit upright. This helps reduce strain on tight hamstrings or lower back.
Bend Your Knees
Bend your knees slightly if your hamstrings feel tight. This modification prevents rounding in your lower back and promotes better posture.
Use a Wall
Sit with your back against a wall for support. This ensures an upright spine without excessive muscular effort.
Flex Feet Gently
Instead of fully flexing your feet, keep them relaxed. This reduces tension in the calves and hamstrings for beginners.
Hands by Hips
Place your hands on the floor next to your hips for stability. This helps support your spine as you learn the pose.
Widen Legs Slightly
Separate your legs a few inches to ease tension. This makes the pose more accessible if your inner thighs are tight.
Hold a Strap
Use a strap around the soles of your feet. Hold the strap with straight arms to support proper alignment without overreaching.
Tilt Pelvis Forward
Focus on gently tilting your pelvis forward. This helps create a neutral spine without forcing the back to overwork.
Relax Shoulders
Avoid lifting or tensing your shoulders. Keep them relaxed to maintain ease and proper alignment.
Support Lower Back
Place a small cushion or bolster behind your lower back. This provides extra lumbar support and helps maintain a long spine.

Intermediate Modifications for Staff Pose

Engage Core Muscles
Activate your core to support the pose. This helps stabilise your spine and deepens your engagement.
Reach Forward Slightly
Extend your arms forward with straight elbows. This increases the stretch in your hamstrings while keeping your spine long.
Point and Flex Feet
Alternate between pointing and flexing your feet. This adds a dynamic stretch for your legs and strengthens the ankles.
Energise Arms
Press your palms into the floor and engage your arms. This adds strength and grounding to the pose.
Lift Through Crown
Imagine a string pulling the crown of your head upward. This creates length in your spine and improves alignment.
Activate Inner Thighs
Squeeze your inner thighs together lightly. This builds strength and awareness in your legs.
Lean Slightly Back
Lean back slightly while keeping your core engaged. This challenges your balance and strengthens your lower back.
Use a Yoga Block
Place a block between your thighs and lightly squeeze. This increases awareness and activates your inner thighs.
One Leg Bent
Keep one leg bent with the sole of the foot on the ground. Alternate sides to work on hamstring flexibility gradually.
Lift Hands Off Floor
Hover your hands above the floor for a few breaths. This challenges your stability and strengthens your core.

Advanced Modifications for Staff Pose

Point and Spread Toes
Fully point and spread your toes while keeping legs engaged. This deepens awareness and challenges your control.
Straight Arm Lift
Raise your arms straight overhead, keeping your spine long. This increases the challenge to your core and shoulder stability.
Hover Legs
Lift your legs a few inches off the floor. This engages your core and strengthens your hip flexors.
Dynamic Forward Fold
Inhale to lengthen your spine, exhale to hinge forward. Repeat several times to deepen the stretch dynamically.
Hold Forward Fold
Fold forward fully and hold your feet or ankles. Maintain a long spine as you deepen the stretch.
Elevate Both Legs
Raise your legs to a 45-degree angle while keeping them straight. This challenges your core and hip flexor strength.
Twist in Pose
Twist your upper body to one side, keeping your legs engaged. Hold for a few breaths and switch sides.
Side Body Stretch
Reach one arm overhead and lean slightly to the side. This creates a lateral stretch while maintaining the pose.
Add a Strap Lift
Loop a strap around both feet and lift your legs upward. This intensifies the stretch and strengthens your core.
Engage Full Body
Press your heels forward, engage your thighs, core, and arms. Maintain complete activation throughout the pose for advanced alignment.

George’s Conclusion

I hope you enjoyed becoming aware of the symbolism behind Staff pose so you can turn a run-of-the-mill teaching into a memorable one for your students.

If you’re a yoga teacher, and like the idea of saving time when creating yoga lesson plans, take a look at my Online Yoga Lesson Planner. It just might become the best tool you ever get.

Here are a few more yoga lesson planning tips:

And if you like the idea of using yoga card decks as teaching aids…

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