Yoga Class Planner

A comprehensive skill for yoga teachers to create well-structured, beginner-friendly 60-minute yoga class sequences. This skill generates complete class plans with detailed pose instructions, timing, transitions, and teaching cues - without requiring themed classes or music suggestions.

Purpose

This skill helps yoga teachers:

• Design balanced 60-minute beginner-friendly sequences
• Generate detailed pose-by-pose instructions with timing
• Create smooth transitions between poses
• Include appropriate warm-ups, peak poses, and cool-downs
• Provide teaching cues and modifications for beginners
• Structure classes with proper pacing and energy flow

What This Skill Does

When invoked, this skill will:

1. Generate Complete Class Structure

   • Opening/centering (5 minutes)
   • Warm-up sequence (10-12 minutes)
   • Standing poses (15-18 minutes)
   • Peak pose section (10-12 minutes)
   • Cool-down/floor poses (12-15 minutes)
   • Savasana and closing (5-8 minutes)

2. Provide Detailed Pose Instructions

   • Sanskrit and English names
   • Step-by-step entry instructions
   • Key alignment cues
   • Beginner modifications
   • Breath integration
   • Hold duration

3. Include Teaching Elements

   • Transition cues between poses
   • Safety reminders
   • Common beginner mistakes to watch for
   • Props suggestions (blocks, straps, blankets)
   • Energy/intensity level indicators

4. Ensure Beginner-Appropriate Content

   • Accessible poses for all fitness levels
   • Clear, simple instructions
   • Adequate rest periods
   • Focus on foundational poses
   • Emphasis on safety and body awareness

Instructions for Claude

When a user asks you to create a yoga class plan, follow this systematic approach:

Step 1: Clarify Requirements (if needed)

If the user hasn't specified, ask about:

• Focus area: Full body, lower body, upper body, flexibility, strength, relaxation
• Energy level: Gentle, moderate, energizing
• Special considerations: Injuries, physical limitations, props available

Step 2: Structure the 60-Minute Class

Create a balanced sequence following this timing framework:

Opening (5 minutes)

• Centering in easy seated or child's pose
• Breathing exercises (pranayama)
• Intention setting

Warm-Up (10-12 minutes)

• Gentle neck/shoulder rolls
• Cat-cow stretches
• Gentle twists
• Sun salutation modifications or foundational flow

Standing Poses (15-18 minutes)

• Mountain pose (Tadasana)
• Standing forward fold (Uttanasana)
• Warrior poses (Warrior I, II)
• Triangle pose (Trikonasana)
• Tree pose (Vrksasana) or other balance

Peak Pose Section (10-12 minutes)

• Build toward 1-2 main poses
• Include preparatory poses
• Offer modifications and variations
• Examples: Low lunge, pyramid pose, half splits, seated forward fold

Cool-Down (12-15 minutes)

• Seated poses (seated twists, forward folds)
• Supine poses (bridge, reclined twists)
• Hip openers (pigeon, happy baby)
• Gentle backbend (sphinx or supported fish)

Closing (5-8 minutes)

• Savasana (5-7 minutes)
• Gentle return to seated
• Brief closing meditation or gratitude
• Namaste

Step 3: Format Each Pose Entry

For every pose in the sequence, provide:

**[English Name] (Sanskrit Name)** - [Duration]

Setup:
- [Step-by-step entry instructions]

Alignment Cues:
- [Key alignment points]
- [Breath guidance]

Beginner Modifications:
- [Easier variations]
- [Props to use]

Teaching Notes:
- [Common mistakes]
- [Safety considerations]
- [Transition to next pose]

Step 4: Include Transition Language

Between poses, provide smooth transition cues:

• "From [current pose], gently..."
• "On your next exhale, release and..."
• "Take a breath here, then when you're ready..."

Step 5: Add Teaching Reminders

Throughout the sequence, include:

• Breath reminders: "Continue breathing deeply"
• Rest options: "Take child's pose anytime you need"
• Pacing notes: "Hold for 5 breaths" or "Stay for 30 seconds"
• Safety cues: "Listen to your body", "No pain"

Step 6: Provide Class Summary

At the end, include:

• Total duration: Verify it sums to ~60 minutes
• Intensity level: Gentle, moderate, etc.
• Props needed: Blocks, straps, blankets, bolster
• Key focus areas: What body areas were emphasized
• Suggested variations: How to adjust for different levels

Output Format

Structure your output as a complete, ready-to-teach class plan:

# 60-Minute Beginner Yoga Class Plan
**Focus**: [Focus area]
**Energy Level**: [Gentle/Moderate/Energizing]
**Props Needed**: [List]

---

## Opening & Centering (5 minutes)

[Detailed instructions]

---

## Warm-Up Sequence (10-12 minutes)

[Pose-by-pose breakdown]

---

## Standing Poses (15-18 minutes)

[Pose-by-pose breakdown]

---

## Peak Pose Section (10-12 minutes)

[Pose-by-pose breakdown]

---

## Cool-Down & Floor Poses (12-15 minutes)

[Pose-by-pose breakdown]

---

## Savasana & Closing (5-8 minutes)

[Detailed instructions]

---

## Class Summary

**Total Duration**: 60 minutes
**Intensity**: [Level]
**Props**: [List]
**Focus Areas**: [Body areas]
**Teaching Notes**: [Any special considerations]

Example Prompts

Users can invoke this skill with prompts like:

• "Create a beginner-friendly 60-minute yoga class focused on hip flexibility"
• "I need a gentle yoga class plan for beginners with lower back issues"
• "Design a 60-minute class emphasizing strength and balance for new students"
• "Generate a relaxing evening yoga sequence for beginners, 60 minutes"

Key Principles

Beginner-Friendly Focus

• Use foundational poses
• Provide clear, simple instructions
• Offer modifications for all poses
• Emphasize safety and body awareness
• Allow adequate rest and recovery time

No Themes or Music

• Focus purely on physical practice
• Keep instructions practical and clear
• No narrative themes or stories
• No music playlist suggestions
• Straightforward, functional approach

60-Minute Structure

• Always total approximately 60 minutes
• Include all essential class components
• Provide specific timing for each section
• Allow flexibility for teacher pacing

Comprehensive Teaching Support

• Include everything a teacher needs to lead the class
• Provide alignment cues and modifications
• Include transition language
• Note common mistakes and safety considerations

Limitations

This skill:

• Does NOT create themed classes (moon cycles, chakras, etc.)
• Does NOT suggest music or playlists
• Does NOT include advanced or intermediate poses
• Does NOT provide yoga philosophy or spiritual content
• FOCUSES purely on practical, beginner-appropriate physical sequences

Tips for Best Results

1. Be specific about focus: Tell Claude what body area or quality (flexibility, strength, relaxation) to emphasize
2. Mention constraints: Let Claude know about injuries, physical limitations, or available props
3. Request variations: Ask for "gentle" or "moderate" intensity versions
4. Iterate: Ask Claude to adjust timing, swap poses, or modify difficulty as needed

Customization

Teachers can customize generated class plans by asking Claude to:

• "Make this sequence more gentle"
• "Replace [pose] with something easier"
• "Add more hip openers"
• "Reduce standing poses, add more floor work"
• "Simplify the peak pose section"

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Version: 1.0 Created: 2025-11-14 Skill Type: Prompt-based (no Python code required) Target Users: Yoga teachers, yoga instructors, movement educators