Handling a Bad Yoga Teacher

We've all had one in our lives. It seems impossible to get through the world of education without having to deal with a bad teacher. Whether its a lack of knowledge on the subject or a lack of passion and personality, it can make the experience of learning a challenge.

I recently spoke with a friend who is going through a yoga teacher training. When she first started she was so excited about this new chapter in her life. However, due to her teacher, the experience has taken a turn for the worst. Her teacher has a different opinion about a certain topic and instead of talking openly and being neutral, the teacher embarrassed her in front of the other students. Doesn't sound very yogic to me.

Yoga is famous for some of its bad teachers. Power can go to your head easily when you are adored by hundreds. Narcissistic behavior is alive and well in yoga. My tradition is the only way and it must be done like this, no tweaking. How wrong is that? I believe in tradition and I think it's great. But I also believe in change and the amazing possibilities that it can produce. Many of the popular types of yoga out there were created by people who thought outside of the box. They took the knowledge they learned from their teachers and made it their own.

I get that tradition is important to some people, but to press that on your students and squash their creativity and exploration as a student is wrong. It's yoga people, not the army. You can't order your students to do things, nor should you embarrass them because of their free thoughts. One of the beautiful things about yoga, is breaking out of the shell that you've put yourself into and find your true self. If we all do the same practice, how are we being true to ourselves.

So how to deal with that yoga teacher? First off, take the time to ponder if it's even worth dealing with. You could choose to let the situation go and move on. When we confront people it saps our energy, an energy that could be better spent looking for another class. If you're stuck with your current teacher, create a mantra. A positive phrase that you can repeat when you're feeling the pressure. Know that when your schooling is done that you are free and you won't have to deal with this person ever again. Take what valuable lessons you can from the situation. Make sure that you never make a student or other person feel like your teacher made you feel.

If you do choose to confront the teacher, know what you're going to say. Have an example of a situation that upset you. Don't blame them or tell them how they could fix it, but find neutral words to talk to them and explain how their actions made you feel. Perhaps the teacher is unaware of what they've done or maybe you talking to them will shed some light for them on how their teaching style is perceived by other people.

Don't go into this situation expecting things to change. Keep an open mind that it could go either way. Stay present. A hostile situation is never easy so you'll need to pull yourself away from the negative. Focus on the good parts of the class or training. Draw your senses inward and focus on what you're feeling and thinking. If you feel tension rising in the body, do some breath work to try and calm down. Don't let the situation consume you, it defeats the purpose of you going to yoga in the first place. Take all the positive and leave the negative.

Every situation in our life is a teaching moment. Dealing with a difficult person who is helping to shape your life is challenging. Remember that people are the way they are because something made them that way. Your teachers issues are theirs, not yours. Don't let them fall on your shoulders. Once you leave that class, leave the problems with it at the door and go out into the world and make your unique mark.