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When yoga is good, it can be mind-bendingly, sigh-inducingly, soul-startlingly good. We’re talking in an almost alchemical way. But when it’s not quite good—or even anything shy of alchemical—it can be downright disappointing.
Curious about where we each draw that line, we recently reshared a post on Instagram inquiring if followers had an experience when something happened during yoga that prompted theme not to return to that class. Ever.
Many of the concerns expressed relate to personal preference, such as the teacher talking nonstop, blasting hip-hop or country music, or describing a pose as “juicy.” (In defense of yoga teachers, hip-hop and country don’t bother us although we’re not going to argue with you on those other two points.)
These are legitimate preferences and it’s entirely up to your discretion to refrain from returning if that’s not your vibe. Although a class not being what you expected doesn’t necessarily mean it was bad. Nor does it necessarily merit a bad online review. Maybe, as some yoga philosophy would lead us to say, it’s a lesson in acceptance. In other words, yoga teachers are human and student expectations are high.
But some of the teacher behavior cited in those comments is the sort that should never take place during someone’s experience of yoga. Blatant disrespect is not yoga. And it has no place masquerading as teaching.
The highlight reel of comments that follows is intended as a PSA both to students and teachers. Students, it’s pretty simple to ascertain the difference between behaviors that are quirky and those that are unacceptable. You can tell a teacher “no,” you can quietly walk out of class, you can let management know what took place, and, as so many of you have done, you can opt not to return.
Teachers, for the small numbers who recognize your behavior in the below, know that no matter what behavior has been demonstrated by your teachers, there are limits on what’s acceptable. The perceived power dynamic and public setting may make it challenging for students to say something in the moment you crash their boundaries. They may instead perceive no recourse other than not to return. There’s a lot here to consider as you take on the role of teacher—some of which we think shouldn’t need to be stated. But we will anyway.
22 Things That Made Someone Not Return to Yoga Class
1. Snapped photos of students during class and posted them on social media
2. Drank out of my water bottle
3. Talked about politics
4. Initiated a hands-on adjustment without asking for consent
5. Gossiped about students or other teachers after class
6. Overshared about personal situation
7. Made everyone watch me do a pose as an example of what not to do
8. Told me it’s not time to drink water and made me put my water bottle down
9. Asked “Are you sure you’re in the right class? This is advanced.”
10. Commented on a student’s weight
11. Humiliated a student in class
12. Busted out with, “Okay, everyone find a partner…”
13. Shared overly controlling and specific cues
14. Chastised a student for using a block
15. Ran past the scheduled end time by 20 minutes
16. Sit on my back when I was already smooshed flat in a wide-legged straddle fold. Pretty sure he tore my hamstring. (As one commenter said, “Keep your f*cking hands off my body.”)
17. Laughed when I couldn’t do Chaturanga
18. Burned incense
19. Asserted that yoga can replace medication
20. Commented on my body in front of the entire class
21. Rambled on about how “enlightened” they are
22. Skipped Savasana
