Being a yoga teacher is an awesome job.
A lot of it has to do with the students and practitioners I get to meet. However, every once in a while (okay, almost every week) I encounter some variations of the below questions and statements, and even though I will answer you with a smile and make you feel like you are unique for asking me this, I’m probably sighing loudly on the inside.
1. “I just want to stretch a little after my workout, so is it okay if I leave in like 30 minutes?”
No. It’s actually not ok. Yoga is not organized stretching. It’s just not. Since I teach at gyms, a lot of people who would never have come into contact with yoga in the first place get a chance to try it. Since my classes are usually scheduled at the end of the …show more content…
You might say that it is a sign of a humble attitude towards one-self and the practice of yoga. But the thing is—more often than not—it’s the already quite flexible ones that say these sorts of things. And preferably in the beginning of the class, as if to lower my expectations and hence impress me when they slide into Hanumanasana, or the splits (okay, not all of them are that flexible, but you get my point). If I wanted to be impressed by flexible people, I’d go to a circus. I would much rather listen to your constructive reflections such as, “my shoulders feel a little tight today” or, “I feel as if though my hamstrings are a little looser than last time”.
4.“You take yoga classes?”
As a matter of fact, yes—yes, I do. What I don’t do is tell myself, “slowly lower down in Chatturanga, inhale lift my chest, open up my heart for Cobra.” Well, at least not out loud.
5. 30 minutes into the class: “I don’t speak (the language the class is being taught in).”
Stockholm is very international: Almost all Swedes speak English—and quite well too. If you need me to teach in English, let me know before the class so I don’t have to wonder why you look utterly confused and aren’t doing what I tell you to do.
What are some things you wish yoga students—or teachers—wouldn't say? Share in the comments
A lot of it has to do with the students and practitioners I get to meet. However, every once in a while (okay, almost every week) I encounter some variations of the below questions and statements, and even though I will answer you with a smile and make you feel like you are unique for asking me this, I’m probably sighing loudly on the inside.
1. “I just want to stretch a little after my workout, so is it okay if I leave in like 30 minutes?”
No. It’s actually not ok. Yoga is not organized stretching. It’s just not. Since I teach at gyms, a lot of people who would never have come into contact with yoga in the first place get a chance to try it. Since my classes are usually scheduled at the end of the …show more content…
You might say that it is a sign of a humble attitude towards one-self and the practice of yoga. But the thing is—more often than not—it’s the already quite flexible ones that say these sorts of things. And preferably in the beginning of the class, as if to lower my expectations and hence impress me when they slide into Hanumanasana, or the splits (okay, not all of them are that flexible, but you get my point). If I wanted to be impressed by flexible people, I’d go to a circus. I would much rather listen to your constructive reflections such as, “my shoulders feel a little tight today” or, “I feel as if though my hamstrings are a little looser than last time”.
4.“You take yoga classes?”
As a matter of fact, yes—yes, I do. What I don’t do is tell myself, “slowly lower down in Chatturanga, inhale lift my chest, open up my heart for Cobra.” Well, at least not out loud.
5. 30 minutes into the class: “I don’t speak (the language the class is being taught in).”
Stockholm is very international: Almost all Swedes speak English—and quite well too. If you need me to teach in English, let me know before the class so I don’t have to wonder why you look utterly confused and aren’t doing what I tell you to do.
What are some things you wish yoga students—or teachers—wouldn't say? Share in the comments