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Original poster

Yoga - touching teacher

36 replies

TheGoodBanana · 26/08/2023 13:43

I did my first yoga class today which was fine but the yoga teacher kept touching people (including me) it was corrections of form from what I could make out and not aimed at specific people.

Is this normal for yoga?

OP posts:
MrHopsPortal · 26/08/2023 14:33

As others have said, physical adjustments are perfectly normal. The better teachers will either ask at the start of the class if everyone is happy to be adjusted, or will ask for consent each time (eg ' do you mind if I adjust you?' sort of thing).

There have been a couple of big scandals in the last 10 years about some more strenous adjustments being either too strong and therefore risking injuring someone, or actually being sexual assault so yoga teachers are much better at this now than they were 15 years ago.

Gnomegnomegnome · 26/08/2023 14:31

Mine asks (whispers) if she can touch before doing it.

FabFitFifties · 26/08/2023 14:20

It's definitely normal in pilates - though my instructor always days 'I'm just going to' and its minimal.

countdowntonap · 26/08/2023 13:59

Lots of touching (physical adjustment) stopped over Covid and hasn’t returned. I really miss it! I’m quite good, and can do many advanced poses, and found that quality instructors who would adjust me made me think more about my alignment or the depth of my stretch.

bryceQ · 26/08/2023 13:56

I run a studio and we don't physically adjust as we want our students to have agency. The many teachers I've visited over the years would always ask consent. You always have the agency to decline and if you don't feel comfortable to do this you're not in the right class.

EmpressaurusOfCats · 26/08/2023 13:53

This is one reason I usually go for female yoga teachers. The adjustments can be really helpful but I’m that much more comfortable getting them from women.

Some classes have cards you can put at the top of your mat if you don’t want to be touched, but teachers should always check you’re ok with it.

rwalker · 26/08/2023 13:52

been to a few classes with different instructors and every class has had physical adjustments it’s normal

Original poster
TheGoodBanana · 26/08/2023 13:51

Oh good, I have done lots of classes but usually HIIT or Circuits type classes.

OP posts:
PJdesperado · 26/08/2023 13:51

Yes tactile cueing is normal in classes like yoga and pilates. It is ok to say you prefer not to be touched though and the instructor will guide you verbally and through demonstration

IsItThough · 26/08/2023 13:49

"Adjustments" are quite usual. Yes they are subtle ways of correcting form. They can be very helpful.
Any decent teacher will ask the class at the start for anyone not comfortable with this to let them know, or you can tell them, they won't mind.

vincettenoir · 26/08/2023 13:47

Yes, it’s happened at most the classes I’ve been to.