Instagram Yoga, AIBU?

[Lomita277]

Just back from a half day yoga retreat at a supposedly "upmarket" Irish venue. I thought this would be an enjoyable day retreat as it advertised a variety of Vinyasa yoga activities, yin yoga, lunch and a stroll through the countryi house's garden.

To put things into context, I am over 50, fit, petite and very involved in tennis and hiking. I haven't been doing really strenuous yoga classes in a while so I have identified that I need to build up strength which I know I am lacking for some poses. I am now doing Charlie Follows yoga on YouTube which I find great.

So I am back from the retreat and I actually regret going - paid way too much and feel that I got nothing out of it. The first girl I met at the door, I said hello to, and she ignored me. The teachers are both popular instagram yoga teachers here and they run regular courses.

I participated in everything at the start (probably out of 20 there were 5 over 50). I did notice that when pair work was suggested to accomplish a shoulder stand against the wall, again I was ignored. I tried a bit on my own and recognised that my core and upper body strength were not enough to do this pose well, so I waited in child's pose till some of the others finished. And, make no mistake, most of these under 40 girls did not have the strength either, they literally threw their legs up on the wall with no control either. One lady (yes another 50 year old) hit her head on the floor.

Lunch, (this is a well known country house venue) consisted of tasteless, watery soup and two slices of bread.

At the end, I did go up to one of the teachers and I thanked her before I left. She said "oh, there's an older man coming soon who teaches yoga and you might be interested". To be honest, I found this a little insulting, like she had written me off because of my age and lack of ability to do her shoulder and headstands.

So what is the actual point of this soul-less instagram yoga where you are actually made to feel bad about yourself or written off because you are too "old". And I have been to many yoga retreats and have seen plenty of awesome over 50 yoga practitioners!!!!!

This doesn't sound very welcoming or encompassing of yoga philosophy at all. I'm sorry you didn't have a good experience. Instagram yoga is as far away from what yoga is meant to be about as possible and for you not even to get a basic greeting or feel included is really galling . Would you write and let them know or leave a review ? I'm of a similar age and very active so can really empathise. I've done a lot of yoga and Pilates so would be royally ticked off to be dismissed as you were.

That sounds awful, OP.

Have never been on a yoga retreat but have fancied doing one. Thoroughly put off now. I’m 52 but don’t feel it or look it. I’d hate to be treated like the token oldie!

Well, it was this particular retreat that was poor. I don’t want to put you off MaryFF - I went for a three day session to a place in Wexford and the teacher was amazing as were all the individuals attending the course. I think that once people are genuinely interested in yoga in itself, rather than what they look like doing it, or what they are wearing, they tend to be more genuine and accept everybody as equals!

They sound inexperienced and a bunch of wankers, I’m so sorry - there’s nothing worse than hypocrisy in these worlds - claiming to be something deep but actually as shallow as it gets

If you ever fancied another retreat, the wonderful Charlie Follows use to teach at my gym at Moddershall Oaks. She was one of the best instructors I’ve ever had, but have also had other excellent yoga experiences there.

Yes- Charlie Follows is such a lovely positive teacher and her videos are great!