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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:
vincettenoir · 26/08/2023 13:47

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

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.

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

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:
rwalker · 26/08/2023 13:52

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Gnomegnomegnome · 26/08/2023 14:31

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

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.

EmpressaurusOfCats · 26/08/2023 14:38

I have been known to mutter ‘OW’ when adjustments get a bit strenuous at which point they normally stop…

AnotherCountryMummy · 26/08/2023 14:40

Yes quite normal. Although teachers should really ask first. I've even been to a class where the teacher massaged our temples during the relaxation bit. He asked first and it was lovely!

Coffeetree · 26/08/2023 14:42

Adjustments are so normal in yoga that there's usually implied consent. So the teacher will give a gentle pull or push to correct form.

Most male yoga teachers have stopped touching people altogether, I've noticed. Or they will ask about consent up front, or have a system like a card you put by your mat to indicate whether you consent to corrections.

The key point is that these should be corrections. If I've consented to corrections, I haven't consented to being pushed into something painful, or to have a teacher just randomly pat my shoulder while she's making a point. I atlctually brushed a teacher's hand away while she was doing the latter in a recent class. She looked surprised but really she should've known better.

Coffeetree · 26/08/2023 14:43

AnotherCountryMummy · 26/08/2023 14:40

Yes quite normal. Although teachers should really ask first. I've even been to a class where the teacher massaged our temples during the relaxation bit. He asked first and it was lovely!

Ooo I'd love that!

LordEmsworth · 26/08/2023 14:46

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.

Ummm, no yoga teachers weren't sexually assaulting people all over the place 15 years ago but have since got better at adjustments 🙄. You really can't lump in "bad adjustment" and "sexual assault" as though they're the same thing. Proper training and CPD will help prevent the former, but don't do anything to help the latter.

I have been known to mutter ‘OW’ when adjustments get a bit strenuous at which point they normally stop…
Normally?! Fuck that. Tell them to stop. I am a yoga teacher and I do not hurt my students, they don't need to tell me because I watch their reactions and pay attention to what I am doing, and ask them for feedback. Don't be shy about telling them they are hurting you.

PosterBoy · 26/08/2023 14:47

implied consent - what nonsense

Perhaps at your yoga studios but I've only had this happen rarely and certainly wouldn't be impressed by an 'implied consent' argument.

Attending a yoga class does not equal agreeing to be touched.

Coffeetree · 26/08/2023 14:48

About 20 years ago I left an Ashtanga class because the instructor was wrestling people into twists etc. This one guy was being grappled into a twist and he was holding his breath, eyes popping, clearly not okay. I think the teacher was trying to prove herself.

Then there were pervs too.

I think that's why everyone errs on the side of caution now.

PosterBoy · 26/08/2023 14:49

LordEmsworth · 26/08/2023 14:46

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.

Ummm, no yoga teachers weren't sexually assaulting people all over the place 15 years ago but have since got better at adjustments 🙄. You really can't lump in "bad adjustment" and "sexual assault" as though they're the same thing. Proper training and CPD will help prevent the former, but don't do anything to help the latter.

I have been known to mutter ‘OW’ when adjustments get a bit strenuous at which point they normally stop…
Normally?! Fuck that. Tell them to stop. I am a yoga teacher and I do not hurt my students, they don't need to tell me because I watch their reactions and pay attention to what I am doing, and ask them for feedback. Don't be shy about telling them they are hurting you.

I think they meant they have got better at either not sexually assaulting people (yay) or better at hiding that that's what they are doing (boo).

We all know yoga - male instructors - has had an appalling rep for a very long time for sexual assaults

Coffeetree · 26/08/2023 14:52

PosterBoy · 26/08/2023 14:47

implied consent - what nonsense

Perhaps at your yoga studios but I've only had this happen rarely and certainly wouldn't be impressed by an 'implied consent' argument.

Attending a yoga class does not equal agreeing to be touched.

Every female yoga teacher I have now will approach students in class and give gentle adjustments. None of them ask for explicit consent.

You're right that they should, but the OP has asked what's normal in yoga and I've answered her. If you go to a yoga class yourself, you might want to have a quick word with the instructor beforehand and say you'd prefer verbal corrections only.

bryceQ · 26/08/2023 14:54

EmpressaurusOfCats · 26/08/2023 14:38

I have been known to mutter ‘OW’ when adjustments get a bit strenuous at which point they normally stop…

This really isn't in keeping with yoga philosophy, Ahimsa is non harm to others and yourself. The balance between effort and ease where you can maintain a steady and effortless breath.

Original poster
TheGoodBanana · 26/08/2023 16:15

Oh my word, people being wrestled and hurt had shocked me.

The teacher just gently pushed on my back to help my form, he was the same with everyone so I assumed it was a thing. Just different to what I am used to.

OP posts:
PosterBoy · 26/08/2023 16:22

Coffeetree · 26/08/2023 14:52

Every female yoga teacher I have now will approach students in class and give gentle adjustments. None of them ask for explicit consent.

You're right that they should, but the OP has asked what's normal in yoga and I've answered her. If you go to a yoga class yourself, you might want to have a quick word with the instructor beforehand and say you'd prefer verbal corrections only.

Show quote history

I've done yoga since I was 20. It's not a thing at any of the yoga classes I have been to (bar one or two). Sure, they are 'gym yoga' in the main - perhaps it's a gym rule 'no touching ' - but no, implied consent is not a thing.

I don't feel any need to 'have a quick word' thanks, lol

Coffeetree · 26/08/2023 17:14

Gyms have strict rules about touching, so never any touching in a gym yoga class.

If you ever go to yoga-studio yoga class it'll be different, see above.

pilates · 26/08/2023 17:17

Yes. I view it as a positive.