I have a very dedicated yoga practice and also teach a few classes a week and have for the last several years. I am slightly hard of hearing, and suffer from some minor SI issues and choose not to communicate this very frequently to my colleagues and students because it seldom proves to be a real handicap. Earlier today I was taking a yoga class with a fellow teacher I (because I couldn’t hear well) got behind a sequence or two and ended up adding an extra vinyasa or two to my practice to catch up. There were also a few instances in which I had to modify certain poses to accommodate my own practice. This teacher chose to come up to me in front of the group during our asana practice and says in a low voice “if you cannot follow my sequences you should not take my classes, i will speak to you after class.” Me, being completely dumbfounded by his tone and lack of flexibility, and not really having the opportunity to communicate what was happening, continued the class (trying my hardest not to “mess up” the sequence), only to have him blow me off while I waited to speak to him privately about my issues. I left the class not really sure if I angered him, or was even “invited” back into his practice. I’m not really sure if I should approach this teacher, or if I should apologize, because I’m not really sure if I’m even in the wrong. Do I bite my tongue and sweep this under the rug? Needless to say, I was very hurt and embarassed, and have been carrying around this uncertainty all day. How should I, or how would any of you handle this? And also, is it ever appropriate to say this to a well-meaning student who is safely practicing in your class? I think this allows little room for modification and self-expression. Thanks for feedback, it really means a lot.
He is rude!!! If he said he wanted to talk to you and then did not want to talk to you…then he is the one in the wrong you should not have to apologize to him.
If you did like the class other than that…then give him another go but tell him about your hearing and SI probs …he should understand why you need to modify some asanas.
I have had clients in class who are deaf lip readers…but because I know about it I can make sure they can see me and if in an asana where they can not see me I would touch them to let then know to come out of the asana…
I do give various alternative variations of asanas while teaching so that everyone can feel included…but it is always helpful if clients tell me before class about any problems.
Give him another chance but if he is not willing to let you modify asanas or willing to make sure that you can hear him…then he is not a good yoga teacher and you should let the studio manager know…
Before I respond I want to let you know I’m basing my reply on the fact that you do not teach at THAT studio and that the teacher you mention is not a teaching peer.
The primary element here is not a matter of right or wrong. While there are a few inherently incorrect or unwholesome actions in yoga, most of the practice is the discernment of what is appropriate for the person in question. The second element (to me) is the acceptance of personal responsibility as a part of the yoga path. Here the work would be developing an understand that you have chosen this class (and can, of course un-choose it) and why that might be, what may be the lesson (for you) and how can that be integrated into your practice and thus your living.
Did you find this particular method of “teaching” to be effective for your growth as a student? Did the class move you toward (or away) from source/light/soul/spirit? Based on the post I’d say “no” but again this is not for me to determine, though it is THE germane question.
It appears, from your side of the story (and that’s all we have) that the teacher was unable to tap in to compassion in transmitting the practice. There are few things more important than respect on the path of Yoga and out of that respect I would not treat a student in the fashion you were treated. Its simply not productive and my focus as a teacher is to reach, support, and empower the students who come to me so that they may bring the aforementioned light into their practice.
I would however mention that to me a class setting is not about self-expression, though such things are not squelched. It’s merely not a rationale I’d use here. Modification, absolutely. But when students are doing their own things just “because” (rather than for a purpose in relationship with the teacher/teaching) that can create discord in class. Clearly this isn’t the case here.
gordon
Discipline is necessary in class and so is compassion. Seems this teacher was lacking both, if he says he will speak to you, then he should be speaking.
Good teachers get invigorated by a dedicated student, bad ones get intimidated.
@Inner Athlete +1
@Mountainlovinyogini, do you feel as though you have anything to learn from this individual? Do you feel as though you would want to be around this individual? I do not believe that your continued practice with this teacher would be beneficial if your answers are not “yes”.
[B][B][B]Sounds like Bikram or Iyendar class… I used to take both styles and they are hurting… I have just finally recovered from “yoga injuries”[/B][/B]
[B]You should be happy that he did not hit you with the stick:) LOL some old-Indian-schools still do it:)
[/B][/B]
I think this is an extreme and I would modify the class to accommodate everyone. Is it good? maybe not…especially when the class is big…
I can t keep it strict and my class is more like a entertainment show:) I wish I could be more strict in my class and follow the practice precisely…
Do not be ashamed, the guy is just not your type of the teacher
[QUOTE=CityMonk;61185][B][B][B]Sounds like Bikram or Iyendar class… I used to take both styles and they are hurting… I have just finally recovered from “yoga injuries”[/B][/B]
[B]You should be happy that he did not hit you with the stick:) LOL some old-Indian-schools still do it:)
[/B][/B]
I think this is an extreme and I would modify the class to accommodate everyone. Is it good? maybe not…especially when the class is big…
I can t keep it strict and my class is more like a entertainment show:) I wish I could be more strict in my class and follow the practice precisely…
Do not be ashamed, the guy is just not your type of the teacher[/QUOTE]
Citymonk have you something against Iyengar yoga teachers you are saying that they adjust roughly in another thread and are making implications that "they hurt " and you have had injury because of Iyengar yoga teacher , if this is the case you should report this to the ethics committe , I have practised for Iyengar style over twenty years and never been roughly moved or been hit with a stick or anything else , perhaps this is in usa ? and we should avoid teachers there , I have found mothing but skill and knowledge from Iyengar teachers apart from one notable exception who was expelled from being a teacher , some have somewhat challenging personalities as in any yoga school .If you are allowing someone to injure you it may be as well to look into this aspect of yourself if you have not already.
Makes me wonder why you use a quote from a teacher you so clearly do not respect .
To the original poster , I would find what you were doing was disruptive to the teacher and to the fellow practioners but no big drama , but im not really understanding what went down , you probably had to be there , which you were , if you dont like dont go to this teacher , and not keep grasping on to what happened , I would speak to him if you need clarification , out of interest do you allow your students to do there own thing in class or do you try to keep some form and structure ?
A few things to add. What happened to you in this class could have been avoided easily by, a) the teacher asking before class begins if there are any injuries he/she should be aware of. This gives YOU the opportunity to share your restrictions. and B) before class started, going to the teacher and letting him/her know about modifications you need to make and that fact that you can’t hear well. Option A I see as the fail safe, while option B should be, if possible, the first choice.
Aside from that, the way said teacher handled it was less than compassionate. And as many have said, if you got a lot out of the class, continue with it but make a point to discuss this with the teacher. If you didn’t care for this teachers style then don’t go back.
[QUOTE=charliedharma;61214]Citymonk have you something against Iyengar yoga teachers you are saying that they adjust roughly in another thread and are making implications that "they hurt " and you have had injury because of Iyengar yoga teacher , if this is the case you should report this to the ethics committe , I have practised for Iyengar style over twenty years and never been roughly moved or been hit with a stick or anything else , perhaps this is in usa ? [/QUOTE]
??? I did not say that…