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Teaching Yoga in English and French in Montreal: What to Ask a Teacher Training

Teaching Yoga in English and French in Montreal: What to Ask a Teacher Training

Sahil Thakur
2 minutes ago
4 min read

In Montreal, a yoga class can include a francophone who learned yoga in Paris, an anglophone who learned it in Toronto, and a newcomer who is learning both languages. A teacher who can move between English and French can make all three feel welcome. This post looks at what learning to teach in both languages can mean, and what to ask any school about language.

Key takeaways

  • More than half of people in the Montreal area say they can hold a conversation in both English and French (56.4% in the 2021 Census).

  • Sanskrit terms stay the same in both languages, but the cues around them do not translate word for word.

  • Practising your cues aloud, with feedback, is the best way to build confidence in either language.

  • Before you enrol anywhere, ask which parts of the training are taught in which language.

Why teaching in two languages matters in Montreal

According to Statistics Canada's 2021 Census profile, 56.4% of the population of the Montréal census metropolitan area could conduct a conversation in both English and French. About 33.8% could do so in French only and 8.2% in English only. (The official-languages table shows how this has changed since 2001.)

Those numbers describe a city where many students move between languages all day. A teacher who can offer a clear cue in either one makes it easier for people to relax, and relaxing is half of what yoga is about. Our website at theyogshala.org is available in English and French for the same reason.

How a training can handle Sanskrit, English and French

Three layers of language come up in any Hatha yoga training:

  1. Sanskrit. Names of postures, breathing practices and texts. Britannica describes Sanskrit as a classical language of India that remains central to yoga literature. You learn the key terms once, and they work in both English and French classes.

  2. The language of instruction. The language in which lectures, discussion and written work happen.

  3. The language you teach in. The one you use when you lead your peers.

These three can be different. A school might lecture in English, welcome questions in French, and let you choose the language for practice teaching. Or it might do something else. So ask. Where Yogshala's training is concerned, we will happily explain the language arrangement for each part when you message us.

Cueing in French vs English: a short worked example

A cue is a short instruction. Good cues are simple, kind and precise. Here are three, in both languages. (These are our own wording, prepared for native-speaker review.)

English - French

"Inhale, lengthen your spine. Exhale, fold forward." - « Inspirez, allongez la colonne. Expirez, penchez-vous vers l'avant. »

"Let your shoulders soften away from your ears." - « Laissez les épaules se relâcher, loin des oreilles. »

"Press the four corners of your feet into the floor." - « Appuyez les quatre coins des pieds dans le sol. »

A few things to notice:

  • Length. French cues can take more words, so a teacher may need to trim them to keep up with the breath.

  • Tu or vous? In French, you have to choose between tu (informal) and vous (formal or plural). In a group class, vous is a safe default, and you can ask your students what they prefer.

  • Body words. Words like "colonne" (spine) and "épaules" (shoulders) are simple. But terms for fine anatomy may be less familiar to some students in one language than the other, so a short, plain description helps.

  • Sanskrit stays put. "Tadasana" is "Tadasana" in either language, which gives a bilingual class a shared vocabulary.

Who benefits: francophones, anglophones, newcomers

  • Francophones who learned yoga in English studios, or who want to teach in French.

  • Anglophones who want to teach in French or to reach students who prefer it.

  • Newcomers who are still building their English or French, for whom a calm, simple cue style can be a gift.

  • Anyone who plans to teach in Montreal, where students may switch languages mid-class.

Practice teaching in the language you choose

Practice teaching is where confidence grows. You teach a short sequence to your peers, then hear what worked. If you want to teach in French, ask whether you can practise in French. If you want to teach in English, ask the same. Whatever the school's answer, plan to practise out loud at home. Even a mirror and a timer will do.

See what practice teaching involves in What You Learn in Yoga Teacher Training, and compare formats in In Person or Live Online?.

Safety note

Clear cues help students practise safely, but language is only one part of safe teaching. Anyone with an injury, pregnancy or health condition should speak with their doctor and tell their teacher. Yoga does not replace medical care.

FAQ

Do I need to be perfectly bilingual? No. Many people build confidence by practising. Ask the school what level it expects.

Will I have to learn Sanskrit? You will meet key terms in context. They are the same in any language.

Can I teach in only one language afterwards? Yes. A training is not a rule about where you teach.

Where can I read more about choosing a school? Try How to Choose a Yoga Teacher Training in Montreal, Yoga in Montréal-Ouest and Yoga for Beginners in Montreal.

Next step

If language matters to you, bring your questions to us. The Yogshala 200-hour Hatha Teacher Training starts Jan 5, 2027, in person in Montréal-Ouest and live online. Certification is issued by Yogshala. Message us for the current schedule at breathe@theyogshala.org or call 514-575-0009.

Message us about the January training: the Yogshala 200-hour Hatha Teacher Training starts January 5, 2027.

With warmth,

Sahil

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