Sequencing: How many verbal cues should I offer for each asana?

There is not a firm rule when it comes to the amount of verbal cues we should offer our students for each asana. It depends on many factors including the pose, the students and the style of class. Some poses require many more alignment, direction, drishti and anatomy cues than others. Beginner students may need much more direction in order to perform the asana safely and in order to learn all the modifications and variations available for that pose. If you are teaching a group of advanced practitioners, a fiery vinyasa practice, some of your verbal cueing choices might be more concise or varied than they would be if you were teaching a beginner's class.

A good idea for developing verbal cues would be to try teaching a friend certain poses and maybe take notes to see which cues are most concise, clear and needed for each pose. Perhaps ask the friend to close their eyes and see if they can come into the pose safely just by listening to your verbal cues. This can really help with refining your cueing script and can help you to get really clear on exactly what you need to say.

Another idea may be to see if you can observe a class by a teacher you really like and take notes based on the cues you found to be most effective and see how the students translate those cues into their bodies. 

Verbal cues should always be based on the important safety, alignment and stability cues needed for the pose, and then depending on the students, you might offer other details, such as the benefits of the pose, the intention for the pose, breath awareness cues, and so on. 

Refining your verbal cues will come with time, practice and experience in the seat of the teacher. Continue to observe your students to see how they are responding to your cues and make adjustments as needed. Over time your students may be able to have their eyes closed throughout the entire practice and be able to follow your guidance solely from your verbal cues.