Type A and Type B personality describe two highly contrasting personality types.
Type A Personality
Personalities that are more competitive, highly organized, ambitious, impatient, highly aware of time management, or aggressive are Type A.
Type B Personality
Personalities that are calm, less neurotic, and less frantic personalities are Type B.
Why is it good to know if your student is Type A?
Research suggests that Type A personalities appear to have higher rates of obesity, high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. They are always on the go. It’s a small miracle that Type A personalities find themselves in a traditional yoga class.
They’re far more likely to go to a Bikram (hot) yoga class because that extreme fits their personality. But if the Type A personality does come to your yoga class, maybe because they’re aware that they need to learn the skill of slowing down before they suffer from a stroke, it’s your job to help them find their switch off button.
You could give them some Yin yoga lesson plans, or some mantras, or some breathing exercises for them to do at home.
You’ll also want to make sure that your Type A isn’t trying a yoga pose he or she clearly isn’t ready for, which they’ll definitely do because they can’t help themselves.
Okay. I think it’s time for an example…
Say, for example, Andrew, a student in your class with Type A personality is opting to do shoulderstand pose before they’ve got to grips with half shoulderstand pose, here’s what you could do. Saunter over to Andrew, slow, cat-like, and say something yogic and pithy like: “Andrew, you’re ready for many things in life, but full shoulderstand pose isn’t one of them. Don’t worry because half shoulderstand pose will give you 95% of the benefits.”
