You have probably read other post that tell you about studio etiquette. No shoes in the studio, no heavy perfume, don’t put your mat directly in front of another person, tell your instructor if your hurt, and don’t walk on another person’s mat ect…But what about leaving a class?
We’ve all done it. We saw “yoga” on the schedule, let out a sigh of relief, and booked it to class. This is the mistake someone made and how she handled it made her upset and set a funky vibe. I learned alot from it, and want to share this key lesson. Always read the class description, and if you can the bio of the teacher. There is a million types of yoga out there, make sure you know which one it is and what it’s about. But since at some point you are not going to read the class description here is what you do:
1) DO NOT STARE DAGGERS AT YOUR TEACHER. Trust me, she sees that your uncomfortable and over whelmed, but giving her the stink eye is not going to make her come over and give you hug. Muddle along as best you can and have a sence of humor about the situation, laugh at yourself. Let out a happy sigh of “here we go!” That will get the teacher on your side, that will get her walking over and giving you a hug, a high-five, a “you’re a trooper” correction. Sitting there staring at her is going to get you nothing but a stare right back.
2) So you tried #1 and you really can’t do it. This is fine! Give yourself the dignity of your needs and roll up your mat. And when you wiggle your way to the door-shoot your teacher a wave and a smile and a mouthed explanation. Maybe put your hand on your tummy or low back and mouth “I’m not feeling well.” Again, don’t stand at the back of the room and stare at the teacher expecting them to get up, stop teaching, and come over so you can unload. Remember, this is a class room and it’s hers. She has to keep teaching and working with others who want to be there. This is not a department store where you can complain that there aren’t any parkas when your clearly surrounded by bathing suits and beach towels.
Remember that the person at the front of the room, is a person. She is a teacher, not a waiter. You can’t ask her to custom make the class for your needs or expectations. It’s her class and this is the material she set to teach, and others are participating and want to learn. Something I have learned from the emotional freedom of my toddler-when you don’t like someone, something, or some place it’s natural and ok to just leave. You can’t change the person, the thing or the place. You can only control you. It’s happened to all of us where we have landed in a class where it’s not what we where hoping. But don’t make the instructor feel bad, because trust me it won’t work. You only make yourself feel rotten. Stick with it if you can, leave if you can’t.
So, key points- read the class description. Have a sence of adventure and try something new. If you leave, do it on a good note. And remember, only you can control yourself and how you feel, react, and treat others. If you keep it positive, no matter what you will feel better about this little debacle. Be good to yourself, read the class description!
Posted on October 10, 2011
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