Eating at Me... Dear ****:

January 31, 2008

Dear Ms. ****:

I have feedback concerning the instructor of the intermediate yoga class I attended on January 30, 2008.

**** has a good overall teaching presence for standing postures and even gave some tips that will improve my poses. However, I got the feeling that she was inexperienced in regards to the etiquette of handling a class and giving proper instruction and set-up concerning safety in advanced postures.

That being said, I have some constructive criticism:

• Keep stories told in class on an uplifting note. Talk of depressing subject matter is inappropriate and produces and radiates negative class emotion. Bringing the subject up repeatedly does not make light, in fact worsens, the matter. Talking for the sake of filling time is unnecessary… if it’s essential, find a yoga related story to recount.
• Choosing one person to jokingly insult throughout class is inappropriate and attacks their dignity. The person has no choice but to brush it off while the students get a laugh at their expense. This is not beneficial to the mood, spirit or flow of the class.
• Stating, “I hate this pose, but you do it anyway,” put a negative spin on a posture that was new to me before I had even attempted it. If an experienced practitioner such as **** hates the pose, it will be nearly impossible for a student to find a liking for it. Even saying, “This pose is challenging or difficult for me” could cause concern but not in the same manner. There’s no benefit in knowing that she hates the pose or negating it’s benefits.
• Her teaching cues for head and shoulder stand to brand new students, who had admittedly never done these poses, could have resulted terribly. An experienced student could be safe in the pose, but only because they know better and need not rely solely on her instruction. I was shocked when a lady fell out of shoulder stand into the mirrored wall.
• Asking the students if they got drunk prior to class and if that’s the reason why our head and shoulder stand poses are bad is not appropriate. It could be that the teaching cues and class control isn’t strong or thorough enough.

I understand the need for a substitute instructor and leaving us in the hands of an inexperienced teacher is not the answer. In the future, a team teaching environment would better serve the safety of the class.

Thank you for your time and attention.