This is a great thread! I must confess, I get a little competitive, which I dislike about myself and have been trying to quell. I have always been that way with swimming and it has transferred a bit to yoga.
My teachers are great, though. I take a few classes, and in one (Iyengar)competitiveness just doesn’t seem to be an issue, but in my Ashtanga class, I feel it much more - from several class members.
It’s something I have tried to get over, and really I’m pretty much just focused on my own development now (there is a little lingering competitiveness, and looking over my shoulder mid asana). However, I think in the Ashtanga class it stemmed from the fact that more attention seems to be given (in my perception) to those who have the potential to go on to teacher training. I guess I would just liked to be viewed as one of those who has that potential.
I would really hate to think I was making others uncomfortable - I just like to use it as a little incentive to work a bit harder.