What should a teacher observe to assess student alignment?

Observing body positioning and overall posture is essential for a yoga teacher to assess student alignment effectively. Proper alignment ensures that students can practice safely and effectively, minimizing the risk of injury while maximizing the benefits of each pose. By focusing on how the body is aligned, including aspects such as joint positioning, spinal alignment, and the relationship between different body parts, a teacher can provide guidance and corrections to help students achieve optimal postural integrity.

In contrast, evaluating facial expressions may provide insight into a student's experience or comfort level but does not provide concrete information about their physical alignment. Monitoring the amount of sweat produced offers no direct measurement of alignment, as sweat levels can vary for many reasons not related to physical posture or alignment. Similarly, memorization of poses reflects cognitive understanding rather than actual physical alignment and execution, which is critical for a safe and effective practice. Therefore, attention to body positioning and overall posture is the most relevant approach for assessing student alignment in yoga.