A student walks into the classroom, unassumingly, and sets up her mat in the back. She’s familiar to me. I know her because she’s a well known yoga instructor with national fame. She’s headlined all the major festivals and conferences, been on covers of yoga magazines, and offers whisks of yoga-advice on social media. She sets up, closes her eyes while I begin and offer the path of today’s class. Eyes closed, I offer a quiet centering surrounding the theme. We Om. I cue down dog.
Soon thereafter this student then picks up her phone, which I realize she has tried to carefully hide behind a block. I think: what an amazing picture that would make, a student texting in class. I’m instantly reminded of the delightful Sarah Court and her Yoga Thugs videos (check it: http://youtu.be/VSK4zB_33Xc), outing such outrageous yoga class blunders. This wasn’t just a student, this was a teacher as student texting in class.
Yoga teacher as student continues to receive and send texts in class. She manages to follow along in class though, and I hope, takes a couple of good ujjayi breaths along the way. There was a vibe created that she was not really present, separated somehow by a lack of full attention to class. Our class ends, she thanks me, and laughing it off, apologizes for texting with the excuse of trying to help some out of town friends meet up with her. I’m mixed on whether that’s a good enough excuse, leaning on its not. I am left really pondering, teacher, how could you do that? Be that student in class, texting?
Cut to another well known yoga teacher as student, months later, who also sets up unassumingly in the back. This teacher doesn’t follow along and instead does her own thing throughout class, adding on to certain poses, or even doing a different pose altogether. This also set up a dynamic of keeping separate from the class, of being in opposition with me the teacher, with more of an I Don’t Need To Hear Your Instruction type of presence. Hmm, I think: if you have particular needs today physically/energetically/spiritually, and I assume, being the experienced teacher that you are, that you know how to meet these needs. Then, why are you in a public class willfully?
I’m not impervious to such things, and at times I have out of town friends I need to stay in touch with, or make exceptions to add a little something to a pose while in class. As often as possible, I try to be conscious of how it may effect those around me, and more likely, I just won’t attend class if I know I can’t be fully present in it. As a teacher of teachers one of the first things I teach my trainees is the beauty, benefit, and necessity of remaining a student, even though they are learning to take the Seat of The Teacher with dignity, confidence and humility. It’s the basic teaching of Beginners Mind and the humbling component of becoming a leader and guide to others. Even as a teacher, we don’t know everything — the reality of what’s happening at any given time is so vast. Knowing that myself, I also know there are a ton of different variables involved in why teachers or any student for that matter, uses a phone or does their own thing in class.
As a teacher, taking a class is a sacred, personal and gifted time. Oh to have time to actually take class! Besides just practicing, it’s a chance to hang up the teacher/leader hat and simply allow yourself to be led. Allowing yourself to be told what to do, trusting that the teacher, essentially a peer, will guide you well. Why aren’t more teachers able to do that?
I’ve both witnessed and experienced other examples where teachers can’t seem to stay the students and ‘un-seat’ the teacher. They’ll chime in, uninvited, to offer teaching or sequencing suggestions while a peer is teaching. I am open minded, I can hear a suggestion with no problem, but I question: why do this to a peer in the middle of his/her class? It creates subtle doubt in the teacher, sets up a power play between teachers, and more importantly, sets a potential tone of distrust from the students toward the teacher leading the class. A private chat after class would work better to keep a bridge of connection between teachers, instead of creating a wall.
Why is it so difficult sometimes for teachers just be students?
When it comes to phones in class, there are also variables and exceptions. I teach a lot in Brooklyn, a haven for families and new moms. Most of them respectfully let me know before class that they have the phone nearby because they hired a new babysitter, or they are staying alert with a sick or elderly parent/relative they’re dealing with. I’ve even had a student say before class they’re waiting to hear back about an interview and it was time sensitive. Totally respectful and understood. They agree to take the call outside of class. I’ve toured parts of Asia to teach and an alarming number of students text during class. For whatever the reason it’s accepted there, it’s not really accepted here to text during class. There are times it’s necessary, and I understand that, but practice is sacred time to connect inside, and cultivate greater awareness altogether. I believe it’s a chosen time to unplug from devices, responsibilities, and be with yourself and others on the path for at least a mere 90 minutes.
I also acknowledge there are many variables surrounding a student bypassing teachers’ instructions and doing their own thing in class. I’m referring to that student who takes the advanced form of the pose automatically, doesn’t wait for the teacher to finish his/her instructions explaining what to work on in the pose, or simply does a different pose altogether. Barring a need to modify due to injury, a student who rushes into an advanced form, or ignores the use of props to teach a particular action borders on disrespectful. More importantly, these students are missing the link of yoga’s message: to align with whats being offered, especially if you chose that offering by stepping into class.
Bottom line, it is a question of respect — for the teacher, the class, and yoga as a whole. In my book, fellow teachers are peers regardless of the style, especially seasoned teachers. As a teacher, living a lifestyle steeped in awareness (supposedly), you should not just know better, but do better. I was always taught that the best teachers are the best students. If you show up to take a fellow teacher’s class, you’re there to be led in and through the path they’re offering that day, and to have your experience of it. Even with a newer teacher, if I am in his/her class, I keep Beginners Mind and I usually learn a new way to teach a particular action, or different use of a prop, and always hear a wider perspective of the practice.
Part of the practice of yoga is empowered embodiment. However, if you don’t get what you want, its not an excuse to just do what you want instead. I think teachers of all people should know this and practice it while taking the seat of student. When the teacher-as-student creates division in class it also disrupts another valuable gift of group practice, and that is creating energetic community. A regular student and good friend of mine offered the perspective that a balanced yoga classroom is similar to a circuit board, with each person aligned, yet separately charging to create a stronger overall charge. This is part of what bonds people in communities, aside from satsang, pot-lucks and other gatherings.
Some students innocently do their own thing because they practice in a variety of places where teachers are just guiding and giving options (“maybe you’ll want to do this”), whereas others actually teach actions, methodology and how to do poses. I understand that style of teaching, but I fall in to the second category. I can suss out those students, and I always kindly invite them to stay with the class and instructions, and that there’s a reason I’m teaching it in this way.
I’ve examined another fascinating thing that happens in the class when students do what they want, aside from breaking the circuit board of energetic connection, and they usually don’t realize it. Other students near them get confused into thinking they’re doing something wrong, in addition to distracting the teacher. In a mixed level class you commonly have a beginner student next to a more intermediate or advanced student. The beginner student probably isn’t ready physically to take an advanced form of the pose, but also energetically with prana. Nine times out of ten, if they see someone next to them doing it, they’ll try to follow. It could be that as a less experienced practitioner, they haven’t developed the awareness to move in stages and steps of opening, and they impatiently rush ahead. They may be having anava mala flare ups of I Suck At This, And If I Don’t Do That More Advanced Pose, Everyone Will Think I Suck More. Sometimes it’s from an ego that wants to show off a bit. They’re all present in a class, and the teacher patiently asks students to slow down to learn. Usually beginning practitioners are simply and innocently eager, and don’t want to fall behind pacing. They’ll scramble to keep up simply because that’s what they’re working on; endurance and balancing breath and movement. I don’t think there’s intentional disrespect in these cases with experienced or beginner students, but it’s a deep opportunity for them to learn, slow down, and listen.
And maybe there’s no intentional division either when an experienced yoga teacher does this stuff too. But I think teachers should know the difference between a teacher who guides, and a teacher who teaches, and if they are in that latter person’s class, honor and respect the seat of the teacher. Any teacher, locally dedicated or famous around the world, should be a great student. Any teacher should also know what they need that day, and choose accordingly how and where to get it. If none of this can be done, then maybe home/self practice is the answer. Yoga teachers should, of all people in the class, be the highest example of studentship.
So let’s have a dialogue:
What kind of student is your favorite teacher?
Teachers, how do you respond to students or teachers who do their own thing in your class?
Teachers, can you take a class and fully take the seat of the student?
Very interesting post Julie. I agree with you that teachers should take the seat of the student when they take a class. Anything else is disrespectful to the teacher and the other students. Why go to a class if not to participate in the class instead of doing your own practice? I don’t get it. And I don’t get texting during class. I do understand that at times a person may have to take a call, it’s happened to me too. But you tell the teacher, and step out to take that call if it comes.
As someone being newly minted as a yoga teacher it scares me to even think about a teacher, especially a really well-known one, take my class. I’ve taught my own teacher with some amount of anxiety even when I’ve asked if I could teach her for practice. I hope that I’d have the confidence and courage to be able to ask a student in a class to stick with the class but really…how do you do that?
Hi Martha,
thanks for commenting. Asking a student to stick with the class is delicate, and one that I usually use humor and lightness with! Saying “You look strong! But back up a little, stay with us, there’s something to learn first”, or some such matter. I try to acknowledge them, then offer a reason why they will benefit from following along. Hope this helps –
xjulie
I don’t have many instructors attend my classes, but the few who have attended have been respectful, thankfully. I could not believe that one would TEXT during your class; unbelievable!
My issue has usually been the intermediate student in a basic class, stepping things up a bit. I’d love to hear a quote of you reining them in. I do verbally acknowledge the step-up, in hopes that acknowledging it will let them know I’ve noticed; that I’m not just shouting poses.
When I attend a class, I do exactly what is asked of me. That is, unless I can’t do a particular pose; then I modify, try to get close to the shape. I pride myself on listening and doing what is asked — and, I thank my teachers for that education.
Thank you for sharing these experiences and your thoughts on them.
Hi Leslie,
Thank you for reading and commenting.
I see a lot of intermediate students stepping it up – a lot! Again, so many variables in why, and I don’t judge. But always, I try to acknowledge them (like you do), and invite them back into the class. See the response I gave Martha, but something like “Hey, looks great, but back up a bit and do these actions first. You’ll be in the pose stronger/freer/more expanded”. Its a tricky situation also because so many students are seeking freedom, and if they can do the advanced form, then why not? I’ve spoken to many about this and this is what they think. swaha. I still aim to teach, not just to guide.
Listening is the key to being a great teacher AND student. Bravo!
thank you again,
Julie
Julie,
I love this and how you so beautifully articulated the yoga culture at present. Taking a class is an art just like teaching a class. To let go and be invested while allowing another teacher to guide you is, as you said, “sacred”. I really love that you brought up this conversation and are shedding light on this topic. Getting to take class is such a gift- being told what to do can be very freeing for those of us who teach a lot. I second what you write and hope you opened up an awareness around this.
Thank you Tara. It seems to be a very hot topic right now. I hope for a good conversation…
And I LOVE taking your classes.
xj
Thanks for these wonderful observations, Julie. As a private Alexander teacher and group yoga teacher, I always consider it a luxury to come to your class. I enjoy your care in developing a theme, checking in with each student’s challenges and leading us through a satisfying, challenging flow. Then when I teach, some elements and variants I’ve learned from you appear in my own classes. The crucial thing as we continue to study is that, as teachers and professionals, we avoid being in our own echo chamber. We can revel in the ideas and approaches of others, and therefore offer our students a richer experience. The pebble — of full presence, of a fresh idea — drops into the water, and the concentric circles radiate outward. Deep thanks for your expertise and commitment to this process.
What a deep and thoughtful comment Joan, thank you. I especially love the image of an ‘echo chamber’ of knowing. The deepest part of living this life is to feel, to know, and then to share, so I adore this idea of staying open to learn. It’s a serious part of my practice.
I thank you for your continued work and presence in class!
Thank you for this Julie. I am compelled by your feelings and experience, and as a “beginners mind” thinker myself I can appreciate wholeheartedly the sacred practice as the student in the classes I take. Furthermore as a teacher I notice when eyes are wandering, phones are going off and whatever external influences are hindering a student from being fully present in their practice and will apply your tips on how to friendly and playfully remind students to guide their attention inward, remain focused eyc, however what I find usefull is reminding students thriughout the class to always stay focused on Ujjaii breath and drishti throughout their practice, and mostly during transitioning between asanas. I think it helps keep them flowing more gracefully and in turn reducing their tendancy to look and copy the person next to them. As for the ones just not participating fully by texting…. Well, I can honestly express how grateful I am for them setting up shop in the back if the room, rather than in front or in the middle where the distractions could be far worse. Thank you for posting this conversation.
Brian, thank you for your really well thought out reply. Your students are lucky to have you.
I’d take your class in a heart beat if you were East coast!
xj
Thank you for writing this, Julie.
My teacher always used to say “if you can’t go deep in a basic pose, you’re not advanced enough to do the advanced variation.” The more I practice the more I realize how true it is. 🙂
Just downloaded & practiced your podcast today and LOVED it. xo
Yea Sarah, daily basic practice wins every time. 🙂
So glad you enjoyed the podcast — thank you!
miss you… xj
Wow, I feel so lucky.
When my two primary teachers show up to my classes, as they do now and again, they always seem fully engaged in the being part of the class—which is perhaps even more surprising as it’s a very social group, and many of the students study with them as well as me, so it would be hard to blame them if they lured into the teacher role.
Perhaps it is simply that it requires some effort for them to get there, so if they’re there, it’s a result of a very conscious choice.
On the other hand, I guess it’s unusual that 6 years into teaching, I still attend a couple of classes a week with those same teachers—mostly, but not exclusively, because of the community element.
As a teacher, I am very aware that it’s important for me to not muddy the waters for others, so while I concede that I occasionally goof off and modify a pose now and again in an intermediate class—virasana leg in surya yantrasana, or playing with shayanasana in pincha mayurasana—I follow pretty faithfully if I find myself in a basic class.
The harder thing, having been known as a teacher in a community for so long, is when students ask me for help during someone else’s class. Finding the balance between putting what I know in service of others without usurping the seat of the teacher isn’t always easy, and I’ve probably screwed it up once or twice.
But mostly, I just love the opportunity to hear someone else’s take on something, to see the differences in how I approach a pose and how they approach it, and use that new way to look at my practice to help me refine it. Why would I ignore what they’re saying—it might be the thing that finally opens up something that I’ve been struggling with for years?
Which apparently still means I’ll get picked out of a class full of students as an Anusara refugee inside of 5 minutes. 🙂
Modesty, honesty, sweet-heartedness, enthusiasm, commitment, mindfulness.
Virtues of a steady and deep student.
Same virtues of a great teacher, in my book.
It was actually your incredible expansive nature that shouted recognition for me. And, your incredibly spread fingers and toes.
Be well, and thank you for reading and commenting.
Hi Julie,
nice post.
once i heard this sayings from Patthabi Jois…if you want to be a good yogi(teacher/student), be teachable first. Namaste
Nice. Deep truth.
thank you!
As a student, not a teacher, I love practicing near teachers and other advanced Yogis when they do what we’re all doing. Their focus and energy are inspiring, and I admit to peeking over sometimes and witnessing an adjustment or alignment that informs my practice and I go and try to do likewise. And I’m sure other students have that experience. So teachers teach just by the example of doing superbly what we are all doing shleppily.