ChatGPT Prompts for Yoga Instructors

Design a 60-minute Vinyasa sequence built around a specific theme. Output as a structured timing breakdown I can teach from.

Theme: [theme, e.g., "opening the heart", "grounding through transitions", "finding stability in chaos"]
Student level: [Beginner / Mixed / Intermediate / Advanced]
Peak pose intention: [the pose the class builds toward, e.g., Wheel, Camel, Crow, Side Crow]
Specific anatomy focus: [body area, e.g., thoracic spine, hips, shoulders]
Time of day: [morning / midday / evening — affects energy level of opening]
Class size: [intimate small group / standard 15-25 / large 30+]

Output format:
- Opening (8 minutes): centering, breath, intention setting — specific instructions
- Warm-up (12 minutes): sequence of poses + transitions, with timing
- Building heat / sun salutations (10 minutes): A and/or B variations + count
- Standing/balancing series (15 minutes): pose-by-pose with hold time
- Peak pose preparation + peak pose (10 minutes): prep sequence + alignment cues for peak
- Cool-down and floor work (10 minutes): counter-poses, twists, gentle backbends
- Savasana and closing (5 minutes): how to bring class out

Include for each segment: ONE theme-tying cue I can speak (literal words). Avoid generic "feel into your body" cueing.

Modify a planned class sequence for a student with a specific limitation. I need clear options I can offer in real time during class — not just "avoid these poses."

Student's limitation: [e.g., recent knee surgery, herniated disc L4-L5, hypermobility EDS, pregnancy second trimester, vertigo, frozen shoulder right side, chronic plantar fasciitis]
The planned class involves these poses: [list 10-15 poses from your planned sequence]
Class style: [Vinyasa / Hatha / Power / Restorative / Yin]
Student's level: [Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced]
What the student told me: [their description of what they CAN and CAN'T do — verbatim from intake or class start]

Output format for EACH pose in the planned sequence:
- Pose name
- Risk for this limitation (1 sentence)
- Modification 1: a near-equivalent version of the pose (preserves the theme/intention)
- Modification 2: an alternative pose with similar effect (if Mod 1 isn't enough)
- Cue I'll offer to the whole class (so the modification doesn't isolate the student): [literal words]
- Red flag: any sensation the student should report immediately

Include 2-3 props this student should grab BEFORE class starts.

Write a cueing script for a transition students typically struggle with. I want WORDS I can say, broken down into pre-transition setup, the actual transition cues, and the landing.

Transition: [e.g., "high lunge to warrior 3", "down dog to standing splits to handstand", "crow to chaturanga", "wheel to side crow", "fallen triangle to vasisthasana"]
Student level: [Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced]
Common error students make: [the specific thing that goes wrong, e.g., "they collapse the front knee", "their hips drop in handstand prep", "they kick into crow with too much momentum"]
My voice style: [direct/teacher / encouraging/supportive / poetic/embodied / playful/curious]

Output:
- Pre-transition setup (10-15 seconds of cueing): what the body needs to know BEFORE moving
- The transition cue itself (3-5 short cues in the moment): rhythmic phrasing, no jargon, action-oriented
- The landing (5-10 seconds of cueing): how to know they've arrived in the new shape
- Correction cue if I see the common error: how to redirect ONE specific student without naming them publicly

Include the count or breath cadence the transition should happen on.

Write a class description for the studio's online schedule. 50-80 words, written to attract the right student and clearly set expectations.

Class style and name: [e.g., "Slow Flow Vinyasa", "Power Hour", "Yin Yoga", "Restorative + Sound Bath", "Hatha for Beginners"]
Duration: [60 / 75 / 90 minutes]
Day and time slot: [e.g., "Tuesday 7am" — energy level cues differ for morning vs evening]
Heat level: [no heat / warm 75-80°F / hot 90-95°F]
Student level: [Beginner / All levels / Intermediate-Advanced]
Class focus or theme this round: [e.g., "hip mobility", "core strength", "breathwork integration"]
Studio brand voice: [e.g., "warm and accessible", "technical and serious", "playful and inclusive"]

Output 3 versions of the description:
- Version A: leads with the physical benefit
- Version B: leads with the emotional / mental experience
- Version C: leads with the practical logistics ("what to expect")

Each version should be standalone (don't reference the others) and 50-80 words.

Write a message to a student about a sensitive topic. The tone should be professional and clear without being cold, and should preserve the student relationship.

Topic: [e.g., "they showed up smelling strongly of alcohol", "they've been crying in every class for 3 weeks", "they're trying to date me", "they need to stop wearing scented oils that affect other students", "their partner sat in on a class and was disruptive", "they're using the class as therapy and I'm not qualified", "they want to pay a different rate than the studio policy"]
Channel: [email / DM / in person / phone]
Length: [brief / detailed / let the AI decide based on complexity]
My relationship to the student: [new this month / regular for 6+ months / personal friend who attends class]
Studio policy on this issue: [the specific policy I need to reference, if any]
What outcome I want: [e.g., "they continue attending but stop doing X", "they take a break from the class", "they understand the boundary without feeling ashamed"]

Output the message itself, followed by:
- What I do NOT want to say (the temptation phrases to avoid)
- What to do if they respond defensively
- What to do if they respond by escalating (legal threats, social media, etc.)

Do not include therapy-speak. Direct, kind, professional.

Design a 4-day yoga retreat itinerary that's realistic for both students AND the teacher's energy.

Retreat type: [healing / adventure / advanced practice / beginner immersion / silent / women's only / mixed]
Location type: [beach / mountain / urban hotel / rural farmhouse / international destination]
Group size: [intimate 6-8 / standard 12-15 / larger 20-25]
Student level: [Beginner / Mixed / Intermediate / Advanced]
Price tier: [budget $800-1500 / mid $1500-3000 / premium $3000+]
Optional excursion / cultural component: [yes — local experience / no — yoga-only]
Vibe: [serious practice / playful and social / contemplative and quiet]

Output an itinerary as:
- Day 0 (arrival): when to arrive, opening circle format, what NOT to schedule (jet-lagged students do badly with peak experiences)
- Day 1, 2, 3 (full days): morning practice, breakfast, mid-morning workshop, lunch, afternoon optional, evening practice, dinner, evening optional
- Day 4 (departure): morning practice, brunch, closing circle, departure window

For EACH day include:
- Theme for that day
- 2-hour main practice content + cueing intention
- Workshop topic (90 min) — chosen to complement the day's theme
- Free time blocks (students need actual rest, not just "free time")
- Teacher prep time the night before next day (do NOT schedule yourself in the evening sessions)

Include 3 things that commonly go wrong on retreats and how to prevent them.