Was this a bad yoga teacher?

[foxofthefells]

Very new to it and can't really tell, so would like some advice.

I have practiced at home for 3 months and it's been great, pretty much changed my relationship to my body, and to some extent altered my mindset for the better. I decided to take a few in person classes for corrections and guidance, so signed up to the closest one to my home.

I asked the teacher over the phone whether the class was suitable for beginners who struggle with inversions and arm strength, etc. She said absolutely, do come along!
Once in there, we were all told to choose a spot and sit on our mats. She filled in a register of who was attending and when she got to me asked if I had any medical issues, I answered no.
The class began at a rapid pace, a ton of vigorous sun salutations in succession. A few times I almost fell over or began shaking so much I felt close to puking. For tis reason I had to sit back again in lotus and just relax. I was left like this, without any assistance or able to ask questions, until 20 mins had gone by.
I tried to join in again after getting my bearings but most of the poses at this point were unfamiliar to me (I hadn't held a full side plank before and my arm isn't up to it yet!), so just continued to wait in a few restorative poses.

I know this is ok, and I should not push my body, but I was surprised she never came over to me at all, or suggested a modification as I was so clearly struggling throughout. It was the pace more than anything, I simply couldn't do that.
At the very end I asked her to come over and she just looked at me, nonplussed and shrugged when I asked her if the class was a bit too advanced for me. I then asked her to correct my downward dog and she did, very quickly and then busied herself packing up. I feel the class was rushed and there was no engagement whatsoever from the teacher. Is this usual?
I figured it was a class for more advanced practitioners who just wanted to get out and move for an hour. I had been advised online to go to a class to get feedback and assistance, but I guess this one didn't work.

My only complaint is she should not have invited me along. I am presuming I need to look around for another? Still, I am cautious of this happening again so I am asking MN is this a typical class vibe (no one spoke to each other, and that's ok, but I couldn't envisage any actual teaching at all)?
Will this happen wherever I go? I don't see the point in paying for what was less instructive than Adrienne.

My experience of having tried a lot of different classes and styles is that it can vary WILDLY - and it can be really hard to tell in advance as it is all about the teachers individual style. Sometimes it’s also studio dependent - there’s one studio near me that is just very clearly for skinny twenty somethings who are already pretty fit. I avoid that one! My favourite teacher was someone who had come to yoga as a result of chronic back pain - she was really aware of the massive differences in peoples bodies and fitness levels, always offered adaptations and emphasised listening to your own body. My tips would be either look for a beginners class or course (most yoga studios run these regularly) or read teacher bios very carefully - look for ones that emphasise learning at individual pace, building skills, inclusive practice etc. Good luck finding the right class for you!

Possibly she had a bad teacher. Possibly the class was just not the right fit for op, but would fit for people who wanted a high energy/fast paced class. But if the issue is that you physically can’t keep up with the speed of the class then sitting there for the majority of the time won’t alert the teacher to help you because they really couldn’t do much to help. Unless the rest of the class also spent the majority of the time visibly struggling/sitting on mats for most of the time then it obviously does suit them. Sometimes I think it’s just the wrong fit.

However the teacher should obviously have explained that this was a fast paced class for more advanced students rather than a class for beginners who need a lot of guidance and want personal help/attention.

I agree that Iyengar would suit you the most, OP. It is very focused on form and getting familiar with the poses before you attempt any ‘flow’ sequences.

Check here for practitioners near you.
iyengaryoga.org.uk/iyengar-yoga/frequently-asked-questions/

I get your point, but I am not sure what i could have done. I can only take away the knowledge that it was too advanced for me. I have no idea how the other students felt. The only other option I had apart from sitting in a restorative pose was to pack up and leave. That would have seemed a bit disruptive, but I certainly felt uncomfortable enough to wish I could teleport home, lol!

AngieB123 Thanks, this is wonderful advice:)

It sounds a bit like it has an ashtanga base or perhaps the teacher has done and loved ashtanga. That is a form which canters through a set series of sun salutations a & b (b has a couple of warrior poses mixed in). You do five or so of each then progress through a set series of poses. It’s a very vigorous discipline ideal for many men (because on average they are physically stronger) and also can be really good for strong, fit, flexible women looking for a real workout. I loved it in my 20s when it gave me room to work out stress and also a teeny-tiny toned figure.

Vinyasa also has flow - ie a series of poses and maybe everyone in your class has been going for a while and knows the series and that’s why they all seemed clued in.

Iyengar is much slower and precise and I think better for beginners and also those more prone to injury.

Don’t ever make the mistake of thinking all teachers are equal! There are many forms of qualification, from a six week online certification to a life long practice like my friend where she is devoted to learning and teaching as a vocation.

Try a few classes to see which suits you the best! Inquire as to when and where the teacher trained, and look for how long the teacher has been practicing yoga (min 10 years i think).

same goes for Pilates! An American friend just announced she is training as a pilates TEACHER - she’s lovely but she definitely didn’t know what pilates was when I was on holiday with her 3 years ago. She’s just done a year or so of occasional classes and has found someone to certify her. Most/many good pilates teachers are also proper physiotherapists!

I have found that when I come away from Adrienne to join a real life class, the ‘teacher’ does very little teaching. I can’t look at what the teacher is doing and do it myself at the same time without the risk of injury.
I want her to talk specifically and often about the poses, where various body bits are placed or pointing, you know , like , teach. What I find is that they mostly do the class with you, hardly leave their own mat to see how people are doing and then leave.
I mostly stick with YouTube now. Occasionally I’m tempted out by a class, but I rarely go more than once. If you really want a class, then keep trying them out, a bit like shoes: if they don’t fit you won’t walk far.

Flow class....always fast even if labelled as a beginner class....i hate them....i go to a mixed class....all types go....teacher offers 3 different choices for each pose...she is excellent teacher....totally mad and dresses and looks like Norma desmond from Sunset Blvd....!!!

Definitely sounds like a poor teacher. She should have warned you it was a fast paced class! I do Pilates and the teacher runs different classes for different levels, I go to her basic level class. She is very knowledgeable about anatomy, injuries and how to heal them etc. She is also very hands in and goes around the room correcting.

Iheartgeraniums Great advice, thanks! Your descriptions make a lot of sense to me. I have done Vinyasa flows online and never that intense or fast. It definitely felt more geared towards fitness and didn't even feel like yoga until the few mins shavasana at the end.
I suppose on the positive side it has taught me what to avoid in future, so that's a good thing. You live and learn.

Flowersintheattic57 I have learned a heck of a lot online, and am very happy to keep it to home practice, but I've had a lot of advice to check out a real life teacher to get corrections and tips. This seems sensible, so I will keep searching but would prefer a few private lessons to get me going!

earsup Haha, sounds good:) For me, if I want fast I will do cardio. I like my yoga nice and slow, mindful and stretchy.

MissyB1 The odd thing is, I was advised to go to a class to be sure of my health and safety in progressing with yoga. But this class put me more in danger of injury than anything I've done online. I have been studying yoga anatomy at home, it's so fascinating!

Oh and thank you, everyone.
I do think the perception of what a beginner is should be taken a bit more seriously. I have a relative who injured herself doing forward folds - her teacher was insistent that it must be done with straight legs so she jumped straight in, forcing herself downwards. She now does them with bent knees and feels lucky to still have the option!

Maybe try yin yoga which is more about holding poses for a longer time, much slower paced I find. Hope you find a good one!

I’ve found this with so many hobbies, especially as an adult. Remember going along to an adult beginner ballet class with a friend (my dd and hers both do ballet and it was basically just to be a bit more involved/for fun and fitness) and right from the get go they were using technical terms/expecting people to be able to do the steps. Like, I’m a beginner. Start at the beginning!

Also with languages, sports etc. I think a beginner teacher should go into a class with the presumption that nobody in the class had ever heard of or seen what they’re teaching. But unfortunately many don’t. I think that’s basically what’s happened here!

I agree with previous posters it sounds like a ashtanga or vinyasa class where everyone is familiar with the routine they've been doing for a while, and are probably all intermediate rather than beginners. It was unfair of the teacher to tell you that the class was suitable for beginners, to listen to what you said about arm strength and inversions, and then to invite you along and give you no support or modifications. She doesn't sound like a good yoga teacher.

Don't be put off, just look round for a different class with a better teacher. Look out for classes that mention beginners, slow flow/hatha, gentle flow/hatha etc. A one-to-one lesson may also be a good idea if you can afford it because the teacher will have lots of time to focus on you (and I've been finding that yoga teachers in class settings have generally become more hands off since the pandemic), but don't go to the teacher you've just visited. Ask around or stick a message on your facebook feed asking for local recommendations.

I suppose if more instruction or philosophy was included in a class it would take up time, the class would have to be longer, perhaps?
If you think about it a true beginner class in anything would involve a lot of verbal instruction.
If i was to teach a beginner class in my own profession, I would presume they didn't even know how to load up the software. I think maybe a lot of beginner teachers (yoga or other pursuits) presume some prior knowledge.

I have actually looked at beginner ballet lessons online and they are clearly NOT for beginners! One yoga vid I saw recently involved many advanced poses. Not sure what they're thinking.

I know pp have already mentioned this but if your purpose in attending a class is to correct alignment and form then you 100% need an Iyengar teacher. They will correct and adjust you where necessary and help you to unlearn any bad habits.

Thanks, this does sound right for me.

@foxofthefells

Are you comfortable sharing where you're based?

I know a few amazing teachers who do just the type of class you seem to be looking for - friendly, instructive, and working on the basis that yoga looks different for every different body!

Finding the right class and instructor was a game changer for me after several bad experiences!!

I am in Lancaster but relocating the Shrewsbury later in the year.

A yin type class might also suit you - not as focused on alignment as iyengar but you hold the poses for a long time. It sounds like the main issue was the lack of support from the teacher though, over and above the style. I go to an advanced ashtanga class and the teacher always talks through a range of modifications for everyone even for non-beginners (and always gives a few more advanced options that none of us can attempt!). So it's not the case that all teachers assume everyone knows everything already, even in advanced classes!

I'd look for an iyengar class they are absolutely the best for ensuring correct positioning and offer adaptations with aids a lot of the time. They also are more static less flowy so pace shouldn't be a problem