I’ve been doing yoga for over a year.
I love it. But. I notice I am having a problem when it’s a full studio.
This is embarrassing, I really wig when the mats are too close. and people are too close. Of course, I’m never vocal about it, but I stew. Am guilty of boundary issues.
I know its wrong to have these sorts of feelings in yoga.
I know, breathe breathe breathe. does anyone have any tips, or does this ever happen to you? thank you.
I can identify as I have endured agoraphobia all my life, mainly brought on when I feel crowded. I also discovered when I started doing yoga that some postures gave me that feeling - halasana in particular (do you have anything similar?). I have managed to work my way through that simply by doing more halasana and being aware of the feeling, then letting it go.
So, breathing steadily while accepting the feeling of being wigged, try letting it go. You will feel it again, then let it go and watch it go in your mind’s eye.
Although, sometimes that’s easier said than done.
Thanks for your thoughtful and kind reply, FlexPenguin.
Though I don’t do the halasana pose, I haven’t noticed the feeling in any poses similar to it. Mostly, if the mats are nearly mat on mat, of if yoga feet are near my head.
Ah, omitted a key part of the breathing exercise; letting the feeling go.
So simple. I’m on it. Thanks!
[QUOTE=thismelman;61970]I’ve been doing yoga for over a year.
I love it. But. I notice I am having a problem when it’s a full studio.
This is embarrassing, I really wig when the mats are too close. and people are too close. Of course, I’m never vocal about it, but I stew. Am guilty of boundary issues.
I know its wrong to have these sorts of feelings in yoga.
I know, breathe breathe breathe. does anyone have any tips, or does this ever happen to you? thank you.[/QUOTE]
It is not wrong by any stretch to have these sort of feelings in yoga.
They are not only human they are also divine.
Notice them.
What is less than ideal is to reacting to these feelings.
You love doing yoga in an uncrowded studio. I suggest you continue doing yoga in an uncrowded studio and when the studio gets too crowded choose whether to work on your reactiveness or just as well retreat and regroup another day. Why distress when you can de-stress. Just so long as you know that you are not alone in experiencing these feelings and that you are in control.
It’s all yoga
Yogamark, thanks. your reply made me smile inside.
funny, because i was thinking (before i initially posted), maybe i should do 30 consecutive days of crowded yoga classes, you know to ‘work it thru’.
happy to shelf that notion.
: )
[QUOTE=thismelman;61970]I’ve been doing yoga for over a year.
I love it. But. I notice I am having a problem when it’s a full studio.
This is embarrassing, I really wig when the mats are too close. and people are too close. Of course, I’m never vocal about it, but I stew. Am guilty of boundary issues.
I know its wrong to have these sorts of feelings in yoga.
I know, breathe breathe breathe. does anyone have any tips, or does this ever happen to you? thank you.[/QUOTE]
You are a customer at a business the way you are anywhere else. If you don’t like what you get for your money, you are totally free to go somewhere else. Plenty of yoga schools around these days if you don’t like overcrowded classes.
Have you introduced yourself to those around you? Try getting to class early and find a spot that is comfortable for you before everyone else rolls in. the back of the room is fine but try not to be near a side wall. (I don’t have a problem with crowded classes but sometimes even I will feel a bit weird, like being closed in on, when close to a wall.)
Spend some time warming up or relaxing, and as others join you spend a little time interacting with them. If you are uncomfortable striking up conversation just make eye contact and flash your winning smile 
If you can make a connection with the people you practice with you may feel more comfortable when they are close to you.
Try sitting in Hero pose if it’s comfortable and keep your shoulders back and your chest forward. Not only do I find this a nice way to get a little stretch in before class, but the openness it brings makes it easy to connect with others.
I truly hope you can get over these feelings, for I find that once you can relax in a full class the benefits are enormous. When you get 30 people in a room the energy given off is staggering. Once at ease you may be able to feel yourself sharing your energy with others while absorbing some of theirs.
Namaste
beforewisdom, I love my studio, I hope it doesn’t come to that, but you make a good point.
Ah, freewill.
Will try sitting in the Hero pose before class. and flashing the smile. I want to work thru this, and this forum has given me some helpful thoughts. Many thanks!
Finished a week off (due to a cold) and am eager to go back.
Interesting comment about the energy in the class. I don’t know if I’ve felt it, which is telling. Maybe flashes of it. Lapsed Solipsist, I hope I get to experience the energy in class as you’ve described. Thanks for your guidance.
Namaste