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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be annoyed with these yoga people

191 replies

ApocalypseNowt · 19/02/2017 09:21

Ok, so the other day I went to a beginner's yoga class.

It was at this lovely yoga centre in a converted church....beautiful place and I'd heard lots of good things about it.

Anyway the yoga man teaching the class is up on the stage bit doing his thing and we all start copying him. Well, at a conservative estimate I'd say that more than three quarters of the class were sodding yoga gurus! They were flawless, bendy, did all the 'hard' versions of the poses without breaking a sweat!

These people could have folded themselves into an overhead locker had they a mind to.

The class had a couple of helpers that kept coming over to people me to help adjust poses, etc. Majority of people needed no help whatsoever. They could have run the class to be honest.

AIBU to expect there to be mainly beginners at a BEGINNERS yoga class?

I appreciate there will be some variance between people who have never done it before and people who are progressing but really, most of the ones here could and should feck off to intermediate or advanced hero superstar level.

It just doesn't seem very yoga-minded to keep to a beginners class when you're clearly way past that level.

Rant over...!

OP posts:
AnnieAnoniMouse · 19/02/2017 11:16

It's not about being competitive FFS, it's about not feeling like a totally incompetant, chubby, sweaty, twat, whilst surrounded by graceful, svelte, accomplished people.

MontePulciana · 19/02/2017 11:26

I've done yoga for about 5 years and am pretty bendy. Currently 21 weeks pregnant and when I return after birth (pregnancy yoga is not for me) I'll head straight to beginners. Why are you so focussed on others during a class? You should be focussing on your breathing and posture. It's ok for bendy people to head to beginners class. You don't have to be a total novice to want to get back to basics and perfect your poses. You sound too angry for yoga, try boxing instead?

Purplepotatoe · 19/02/2017 11:32

You are being a bit U. Yoga is about the journey not how good you are/everyone else is. Just enjoy the experience it doesn't matter that they're 'better' for now Smile

Kaybush · 19/02/2017 11:33

"All of the 'own journey', 'concentrate on yourself' stuff... requires a degree of comfort which is almost impossible to achieve if you feel embarrassed & uncomfortable."

I really disagree actually. The best thing about yoga is that everyone is sort of doing their own thing at their own level, while following the teacher.

I've been doing the same routine with the same teacher for 4 years now & I'm still learning how to improve each position. It's amazing when a tiny adjustment you make to a posture can make you feel incredible afterwards - emotionally & physically.

I also fall over regularly while doing tree pose, but just laugh it off! It helps that the studio is dark and spot lit!

fledglingFTB · 19/02/2017 11:33

Although, I did once go to a pish-posh studio and happened to go to a class with the cities rugby team, that did make me feel -hot and flustered- like the greatest yogi ever. They were all so muscly they couldn't lift their arms up 😂

SummerHouse · 19/02/2017 11:34

Fast swimmers in the slow lane. Get out you fishy show off dolphins!

Yoga experts in beginners. I love you one and all. We are all on a journey. Namaste.Wink

Fighterofthenightman · 19/02/2017 11:37

If someone posted complaining that there were people in their intermediate class who looked like they didn't know what they were doing they would quite rightly told to just focus on themselves and don't think they get to judge who should be in what class.

KatieScarlett · 19/02/2017 11:39

In my case short arms and long legs does not a graceful dancer make.
Unless by graceful you mean face-planting the mat (Wednesday).
Everyone has positions the like and find easy. And ones they don't. All the practice in the world isn't going to lengthen my arms. So I'm a tied and lassoed, wobbly dancer instead.

PoorYorick · 19/02/2017 11:40

It's not about being competitive FFS, it's about not feeling like a totally incompetant, chubby, sweaty, twat, whilst surrounded by graceful, svelte, accomplished people.

So nobody who's good at something should be allowed at a class where there are less skilled people? That's your solution? As opposed to focusing on your own progress and owning it, which is how those people became accomplished in the first place?

lyricaldancer · 19/02/2017 11:42

I was going to say, but I think you did first, OP, that it would take years to get to that level, and that level of bendy (daily stretching etc)

isupposeitsverynice · 19/02/2017 11:43

I'm afraid I also disagree that turning your attention inwards is advanced yoga stuff - is the same as when children have been endlessly whining all day and you've entirely lost interest so you tune them out and spend a bit of time getting to know that good looking one off last nights telly Wink

MorrisZapp · 19/02/2017 11:45

That video is the best thing I've seen in years. Of course yoga is competitive, because people do it, not robots.

If yoga is only about breathing and looking inwards then explain the existence of Lululemon? Maybe all their customers aren't doing yoga 'properly' because they don't just wear their old comfies?

Luckily I'm a body combat girl myself, all the better to deliver a swift upper cut to the 'maybe yoga isn't for you' brigade.

lyricaldancer · 19/02/2017 11:46

I don't think you sound angry. Keep going, but find another class if you still don't feel it's quite a fit.

minimonkey11 · 19/02/2017 11:47

I agree. I went to a beginners pilates and they were all experts- stick thin and all knew each other. I wobbled off after and never went back. I am trying a few others til i find one i like. I wouldnt mind some expert level people and some beginners- seems like a better mix!

BrownEyedLady · 19/02/2017 11:48

Morris it really isn't competitive. I'm not competitive and am a squishy human.

carabos · 19/02/2017 11:48

Slightly off the point - I would like to add a yoga class into my exercise regime but am Shock at how expensive it is. Classes near me are £12 each. In contrast I pay £45 per month for unlimited fitness classes and £30 per one hour session for personal training. Why is yoga so expensive?

KatieScarlett · 19/02/2017 11:49

Mine works out at £5 a go. Shock

isupposeitsverynice · 19/02/2017 11:50

haha! Lululemon stuff is shockingly expensive it's true. But that's capitalism not yoga!

Come at me with your upper cuts, I'll just waft gently out of the way Grin

isupposeitsverynice · 19/02/2017 11:52

I think my yoga class is expensive because it costs so much to heat the studio! But round here all fitness/exercise classes seem to be £10-15 a go so I thought that was pretty normal.

MontePulciana · 19/02/2017 11:52

£12 each sounds very excessive. Mine are in with my gym membership unless I go to bikram which is about £10 a class but it's in city centre location and heated so can understand the price hike.

Eastpoint · 19/02/2017 11:53

I do Yoga with Adriene online (as mentioned by a PP). Her classes vary in length and are really positive.

Thin people who know each other are allowed to do classes too - they might lack the strength to perform some balances or have health issues which prevent them maintaining their weight.

SloanyAnne · 19/02/2017 11:59

Honestly you could be crotcheting covers for dog bollocks for all I'd notice. I do as much of the class as I can with my eyes shut anyway.

Comparison is the thief of joy and all that.

mumsiedarlingrevolta · 19/02/2017 12:00

ApocalypseNowt
I completely understand how you feel.
My first "beginner" yoga class was full of other instructors sampling the class-it took all of my strength not to flee and the stick insects were blocking the exit
I felt like a giant, menopausal, lycra clad apple.
I am still that^ and am completely useless at it but marginally less useless and I do like it.
Think the instructor has a lot to do with the classes vibe-maybe try a different class? Shame you can't come to mine Wink

SloanyAnne · 19/02/2017 12:03

I love being the short 12 stone 50+ year old and then just getting on the mat and doing all the stuff all unexpectedlyGrin

Kaybush · 19/02/2017 12:11

I would also add that any yoga class that advertises as beginners and has a teacher on a stage is probably not the real thing. More likely an ex-aerobics instructor who's taken a 6 week course.

I would look for a smaller and more authentic class and you'll probably start to feel more comfortable really soon.