Sequencing: Are we able to use stretches that are not included in the course material? For example, I always include neck rolls and different arm stretches in the warm up for my students.

As you prepare to teach your practicum, this question may come up for you. Designing your class and thinking of creative and logical ways to transition from one asana to the next might involve adding some fluid movements that are not necessarily labeled as asana or in the 200hr Teacher Training.

You can absolutely include things like neck stretches and shoulder rolls in your practicum class. It is important that your class sequence and transitions make sense and that you are warming the body up and cooling the body down appropriately to complete a safe and well-rounded class. For example, if you are going to be teaching a class full of hip openers, you might include hip circles in tabletop position to help warm and lubricate that area of the body or if you are teaching a class with lots of heart openings or gentle backbends you may wish to include shoulder rolls and arm circles to help mobilize and open the upper body.

If you haven't had a chance yet, take a look at the lecture in the practicum section "Review Practicum Criteria and Lecture." Juan and Mark talk about exactly this question, including things like neck stretches and variations not covered in the Asana section, as well as a bunch of other common questions about the ins and outs of building your practicum class.

As you design your practicum class, continue to practice it in your own body to be sure that it makes sense and feels good. If you feel some neck stretches or other “non-asana” specific movements would aid in making your practicum feel more fluid and safe, follow that intuition from your own body, it leads the way.