I've taken yoga classes at over a dozen studios / with private teachers, and every time I have been met with acceptance and a genuine love for yoga that transcends concern for "appearances". So when I read "5 Things I Wish People Would Stop Doing In Bikram Yoga" by MindBodyGreen, I was shocked at the arrogance, judgment, and disdain that permeated every word.
"Turning up for a hot Bikram yoga class is one thing. Keeping your cool and observing proper etiquette in one is another. Try not to do any of the following unless you are convinced that being a total nuisance is going to help everyone else improve their focus as they practice in the same hot room with you. In which case ... kudos!The author, Low Lai Chow, who apparently is not even a registered yoga teacher, goes on to condemn those who take a break to sit down during the class, or those who leave to get some air. She writes,
"Check the schedule again. Did you sign up for a yoga class, or a mat-sitting class? We'd advise you to confirm what you signed up for, just so you can see where exactly you need to be at, and proceed to do what you showed up to do."Whoa.
Firstly, for all of you reading this, don't listen to the advice in this article. While Bikram Yoga has many benefits, practicing yoga in a heated room can cause dizziness, dehydration, and even heat exhaustion. If you're not used to hot yoga, you may need to sit down or leave the room to gather yourself. And that's totally okay. Yoga (and I can't say this enough times) is about honoring your body. If that means taking a break, then take a break! If you don't listen to your body, there is no point in even practicing yoga at all.
Secondly, never take the advice of someone who constantly looks at what other people are doing during yoga, while condemning the exact same thing in their article.
"In a hot yoga class, you work on steadying your breath. You work on steadying your mind. You work on your body, not your face. Seriously, why would you inadvertently shoot dirty looks at your peers who are working through the same process as you are, or at your teacher, who's really rooting for you to work through all your mat demons?"A question for you, Low Lai Chow - if you are so busy "steadying your breath" and "steadying your mind" during your Bikram practice, then how would you even know if people are sitting, or leaving the room?
Yeah.
For everyone reading this - please don't take this article seriously. There are bad eggs in every community, including the yoga community. There are those who will always judge you, or think there is an absolute "right" way to do something. But each individual yoga practice is as unique as the practitioner. You have to do you! Honor yourself.
ॐ Namasté
