Yoga continues to grow in popularity. The practice is no longer for one type of person and a new modern culture has developed around yogis and yoga studios.
Understanding of simple studio etiquette is one good example. With any subculture comes stereotypes too. While exaggerated, as they always are, they're also good reminders not to take ourselves, our image, and the hobby of practicing yoga, too seriously.
A yoga teacher has shared 6 hilarious stereotypes of yoga students that yoga teachers might be all too familiar with. Yoga is all about love and understanding in the end, so do your best not to judge anyone you might come across in the yoga studio. Remember, we are all just doing the best we can.
1. The Frequent Texter
These ones are usually Type A workaholics who strut in on the iPhones, constantly texting. Such people will be frequently checking their phones (if you let them) and usually don't want to stay for the final savasana.
Fortunately as a teacher, you have the freedom to make a simple no cell phone rule in the studio, part of the culture where you practice. If it's violated, I usually ask students to put their phones away when I see such behavior.
2. The Know-it-All
Know-it-alls can be everywhere and it’s not just a yogi thing.You will have to learn to deal with them in many jobs, and being a yoga teacher is no different.
These students will call you out when you get something wrong about anatomy or when they think they know a pose better than you. They want to share all the knowledge with the class, at whatever time, and have no qualms about correcting the instructor.
Let’s admit it, as teacher, sometimes we’re wrong and there’s nothing wrong with a little correction! If they call me to the side and point out something wrong, it can actually be appreciated if done in a polite way.
3. The Exhibitionist
Being in a yoga class can be an opportunity for some to wear revealing clothes. Some people don't miss out on this opportunity and revel in this part of going to a yoga class. There's nothing wrong with being confident and comfortable in your own skin.
Once in awhile, it can cross a line, but usually it's unintentional. Yes, I've once had to go to a student and advise him to put on some underwear because he was exposing himself in all the wrong ways. Surprisingly, he took it really well and has it's never been an issue since.
4. The Acrobat
There are the hyper-flexible yogis that can get into seemingly impossible positions and often have practices that are more advanced than the teacher. You find these students casually twisting themselves into a pretzel, just to warm up before class. These students can be pretty intimidating, to both the teacher and newer students, who might feel like they’re in the wrong class. Again, it’s not usually intentional and most of them are just in the moment.
5. The Teacher’s Pet
Teachers pets exist in yoga too! This is the student that’s always at the front of the class, following everything the teacher teaches and getting ideas pretty quickly. What teacher doesn’t love teacher’s pet though? They make this job worth it because you know at least one person in your class is taking you seriously, even if the others might not be! These are often the students smiling and nodding at every thing you have to share.
6. The Zen Student
You can spot these students from afar. They’ve probably been to Thailand, or Sri Lanka, or India, and they have a bald head and some exotic tattoo. During classes they are completely present and in the moment. These students often have their eyes closed, a big grin on their face.
They’re never showing off, they're just happy to be in the zone. They love to be a channel for the right kind of energy and frequency and spread the good vibrations throughout the class, and towards the teachers.
Yoga is all about love and understanding in the end, so do your best not to judge anyone you might come across in the yoga studio. Remember, we are all just doing the best we can.
By Serena Dorf
She is passionate about marketing, psychology, and personal development. Serena Dorf is a content writer at EssayOnTime and SuperiorPapers.
Practice yoga right now and see which student you are!
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