Habitually late students

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#21

If I am going to be more than a few minutes late for a yoga class I won’t go. Yoga has a flow and focus, and I don’t want to interrupt anyone else.

In regards to the switching teachers, you don’t have to go to just one yoga class. You can always try different teachers, and styles of yoga. Everyone teaches differently, and you will gain something from each different teacher. Don’t be afraid of not keeping up - you aren’t in yoga to impress others, you are there to challenge and improve yourself. You can do it!!

As of these ladies - they sound disrespectful and arrogant. Personally, I would politely pull them aside after class and have a dialogue with them.

You could say, “Girls, I’m not sure if you have something going on just before our classes, but I feel it’s very disruptive when you come in 15 minutes late. I have a great deal of respect for our yoga teacher, and it concerns me that you don’t feel the same way. I’m sure our teacher and the rest of the students would appreciate it if you could make the effort to be punctual instead of interrupting our classes. Please be polite to us and our teacher, and come to class on time.”

Or, if you wanted to be more aggressive/assertive about it, you could smile sweetly and say, “You know girls, it’s really disruptive and disrespetcful to come to class 15 minutes late. Maybe it would be easier for you and our class if you could find a more convenient class time with the same instructor.”

Or, if you wanted to stoop to their level, next time they come in late, get up out of whichever asana you’re in, and say, “Ladies! How nice of you to finally join us! Don’t worry about disrupting everyone and disrespecting our teacher once again, we’re used to it! Roll out your mat, make yourself at home! We can start up again whenever you’re ready.”

Final option? Give them the link to this thread on a card after class. Let them read it themselves and get a hint.

#22

@Lascar,

Nice point!

@KrisR,

While everyone has shared many options for your dilemma, at the end of the day IMO, it is ultimately your teachers responsibility to address this issue. She runs the class. If you talk with her expressing your upset, you have 2 options depending on what she does. You can find another class or use it as a learning tool to help you stay focused. Perhaps, as Lescar inferred, focus during class is something you need to work on and these 2 ladies are coming in late to aid you in working on this. Only a thought though as I don’t know you or your practice. But it is something to think about. I would think the 2 ladies would be much more receptive if any discussion of their tardiness came from the teacher. One of the beautiful benefits of yoga is it fosters a deep sense of community. For this reason, I would let the teacher handle it.

#23

[QUOTE=KrisR;51765]Hi-
I need some ideas.

I am a student at a small town yoga class. There are 2 fellow students who are habitually 10-15 minutes late. Week in and week out.

I have understanding and compassion for people occasionally running behind schedule and getting to class late. That’s not the case with these 2 women (both in their late 60’s).

The teacher has made the decision not to say anything to them so basically, I see that nothing is going to change.

I am very bothered by them each week coming in late and plopping down their things. Neither seem to make much effort to come in quietly.

Can you tell how angry I am? Even typing this - I’m just pissed.

I’ve tried to let it go.
I’ve tried to just stay ‘in my zone’.
I’ve tried to identify why it bothers me so much (I think they are rude and disrespectful to the rest of us).
I’d like to say something to them - but I can’t figure out a way to do it without being rude or disrespectful toward THEM. Probably because I feel anger about the situation.

I simply can’t let go of it.

Do I stop going to the class? I’ve considered it but we don’t have a lot of options for yoga classes here.

I see my two options as either 1) stop going to the class or 2) get over it and accept that this is the way it is going to be.

Help me.
Help me get past this.
Ideas??[/QUOTE]

You could pin a notice to the door. I would have to say something, it would ruin my practice.
Good luck

#24

Well, I decided to send an email to the teacher and then let it go as best I could.

Last night after class, the teacher asked me to stick around after the others had left so we could talk. She thanked me for the email. She said she has known for awhile that she needed to address that issue (and a few others) and she apologized for her tardiness.

What she has done is put together a Yoga Class Etiquette list (probably similar to the YJ list but we haven’t gotten the YJ yet in Australia so I can’t compare). She’s going to hand this out in class and then if the extreme tardiness doesn’t stop, she said she’ll address those people individually.

I don’t know why I worried and fretted…she was most kind and generous about it all. :slight_smile: I am glad that I voiced my feelings and got to the point where I knew (know) what I need to do if I can’t get past the disturbances.

Also - I did attend a new class this week - an Ashtanga-style class. I seriously didn’t think I’d be able to keep up but I surprised myself. I will definitely be going back to it on a weekly basis.

Thanks again everyone for your thoughtful ideas. They all really helped me formulate the right path for me.

#25

I tell my class; ?you can?t control what the world hands you but you can control the way you react to it?. Everybody in my class is free to come and go when they please, cell phones are ok (yikes!). Those irritated have opportunity to resolve issues. Would I prefer to do yoga on a nice clean heated hardwood floor with lush vegetation, indoor fountains, streaming warm sun, gloriously scenic views, chirping birds…a completely controlled atmosphere, sure I would! But how helpful would that be for actual life, beside if I waited for this before doing my practice, I?d still be waiting. But then again I play music in my class…

#26

Life is full enough of stresses without more added to yoga class. Glad you were able to sort it out.

“I don’t believe in no-win scenarios” - James T. Kirk

#27

[QUOTE=InnerAthlete;51809]Hi Kris,

Several things.
First, what annoys us is merely a reflection of something we dislike in ourselves. [/QUOTE]

no~! It’s not.
:x