One of the most pivotal moments for me was when I was taking an advanced yoga teaching module at Kripalu. One morning I was in class and it became clear that the teacher’s intention was to energize. She chose standing sequences then back bends. She was working to a pinnacle pose of Camel.
This dreaded realization began like a lead weight in the pit of my stomach. This would be everything I knew I had difficulty with because of misplaced vertebrae.
I got really upset with her for “putting me through this torture”, and then myself for not being able to do it. I couldn’t do what she was asking of me because I knew I would hurt myself.
It was a real struggle for me. To calm myself, I began a BRWFA practice and went into child’s pose for the rest of the class.
On reflection, what was missing was that the teacher did not take into account that someone would not be able to do the postures.
She didn’t give me permission to modify and adapt. Or find my own practice. I felt left out, not good enough, and a failure.
At that point I was ready to give up on teaching yoga. However, with support from a wonderful yogi, I realized that what was an obstacle, was my way forward.
I vowed to do all I could, so that my students would never feel this way.
We take so much for granted based on our own experience. As yoga teachers we must reach beyond our own experience and connect to our students with empathy and understanding.
We must hold that safe and nurturing space for each and everyone of them.
In the next Yoga Teachers Mentoring group we will be diving into this.
Namaste
Find Your Middle Ground 
I had a similar experience, Val. After two back surgeries, my back couldn’t do what the instructor wanted. I remember feeling embarrassed in front of the class.
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There’s a lot that comes up when we feel inadequate and torn between our thinking and our body! Thank you for sharing Jill. I hope you comes back to yoga one day when you find the right teacher. 💛
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Thank you, Val.
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I was fortunate enough to attend yoga classes in the Boston area for 10 years taught by all Kripalu-instructors. Each one was inclusive and understanding that we all had different challenges; yoga taught well helps us work around those challenges and feel embraced by them, not left out. I can imagine how difficult that training class was for you; however, because of it, you’re going to be an even better teacher!
Best of luck to you – I’m so impressed with those who train to help us all enjoy life through yoga. Namaste.
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Thank you for sharing here and your kind words 💕
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this is a wonderful post and can be applied to so many things –
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So true Beth! Thank you 💛
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This is so true of life. I was at an oldies dance last night. Most were well over 60. I’m sure there were artificial hips and knees but most got out on the dance floor and did what worked for them and their limitations. No one laughed. We all rejoiced in the music and the ability to be mobile. It was a beautiful sight!
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Yeah!! Way to go 🎉
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It’s a constant complaint, I hear it from my daughter all the time. She teaches in a famous NYC studio, where ramped up versions of yoga, including high temps, are becoming the norm. There are many dangerous moves being “taught” to folks who should not be physically stressed that way.
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Thanks for your common sense and groundedness Van 💛
I started yoga in my 40’s and know I am a world apart from those who began as youngsters!
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I think seeing obstacles as an open gateway to change is profound. Reminds me of that relationship between immovable objects and irresistible forces. We must really embrace the irresistible force of life; our own life. As we see, almost without exception, in our beloved dogs.
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I love your wisdom this morning Paul … And always. How is Hazel doing? I haven’t visited your site yet. 💛
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Hazel is struggling to eat but Jeannie is managing to get just sufficient food inside her so she can take the meds. Still a long way from knowing if she will make it but, fingers crossed, there will be a slow but steady return to full health. I will post regular updates from time to time. Thank you so much for your caring.
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Sending love across the miles ❤️
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“On reflection, what was missing was that the teacher did not take into account that someone would not be able to do the postures. She didn’t give me permission to modify and adapt. Or find my own practice.”
Maybe she respected the class enough to feel that she didn’t have to state the obvious? Since none of you were beginners (since it was an advanced module), she could reasonably have assumed you all knew not to view yoga as a competitive sport and not to compare yourself with others in the class.
As I read this post, she wasn’t doing anything to you. It was all in your head. 😀
That said, as a yoga instructor teaching all levels, classes should be inclusive with reminders to beginners that yoga is a journey that each travels at their own speed.
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So true Nancy 💛 Of course it was all in my head, and my ego getting hurt! What a great lesson to bring me to my Middle Ground and connect with my inner being.
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Like you, whenever a stretch is “too much” . . . I assume child’s pose. Namaste.
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Finding the right teacher, for anything, is so important, Val. Thank you for trying to be the kind of teacher that understands her students.
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Finding the right teacher … Yes indeed Dan! Thank you for your kind words. xo
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It’s wonderful that you saw the shortcoming of the teacher and let it move you forward instead of stopping you. I do a very simple yoga practice but it keeps me walking.
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Brava, Val! And the journey continued, along a more constructive path. I’ve experienced this too, which is why I stepped away from yoga after 2+ years. The personal trainer I now work with is much more attuned to my body and physical limitations. Me happy. 😀
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We all need to find the right teacher … Or they show up when we are ready ☺️
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By the way, the watercolor is exquisite.
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It’s an app called waterlogue that changes photos into watercolors. Pretty cool!
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My first thought was that maybe the teacher should find another line of work. Too harsh?
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Carol, Thank you for your kind support. She is actually a really good teacher … I think she was just having a bad day! 💛
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… just like I was … 💛
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I’m sure you’re right, Val. We’ve all been there.
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I do really like your way to think and take care of each ones issues Val. This is one of the often mistakes by many teachers, no matter what we are teaching in.
You just go on your way – a great way 😀
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Wow, thank you Irene for your kind words. I really feel I am on the right way 😊
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This is new to me as thankfully my teachers have always begun the class by asking if anyone has anything troubling them this week and ask new students about any long term injuries etc. They follow this by assuring us please make any adaption you feel you need. This may be due to all the strict health and safety laws here in the UK or perhaps I’ve just been blessed with considerate teachers.
I’ve always heard it stressed that there is “no perfect pose” in yoga and it doesn’t matter how well you do a particular stretch, that it’s all about learning to work with your body. I agree with Carol maybe your instructor is in the wrong proffession
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Claire, I actually think this teacher was having a bad day. Thank you for sharing your experience in the UK. I’m so glad you have had considerate and caring teachers 💛
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I think your experience will make you a kinder more compassionate teacher Val. I have placed pressure on myself in classes before and when I finally let go of what I believed I should be doing, it really allowed my classes to flow more freely. I love that you went into child’s pose. You did surrender to that moment and that is all we need to do.
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Thank you Karen for your loving support. My body surrendered to child’s pose but my mind was in turmoil… Resisting every moment! It was a real who struggle, and one I am so grateful to have faced.
As you have said, we have to face our own pain in order to feel the pain of others 💕
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What a great lesson! Thank you for sharing it, Val!
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“We take so much for granted based on our own experience”
And is this not something we all go through. I try to be more compassionate with people I meet or family members suffering. Secondly, I try to listen to their health story as being unique and totally personal to them (even though it may be similar to mine).
In fact, many people ‘assume’. I have done a small amount of yoga (3 different classes) over the last 40 years, but after the last experience, I don’t think I’ll try again. It has too many poses (well, the simple yoga style I was taught did) which were impossible or painful (after a complex lot of injuries and back surgeries. Any kind of twisting puts too much pressure on the nerve roots and having Fibromyalgia meets repetitious exercises cause additional pain). I’m still keen to try the flowing style of Tai Chi though – if I can find both an inexpensive class and one in the afternoon when I am able to focus. Not sure how much twisting from the waist, if any, in involved.
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I think that is why it has taken me so long to be able to do yoga, was finding a teacher that understood! The one I follow now offers lots of modifications, and it’s been fun to one day be able to do a pose I’ve been trying for months! The modifications allow me to do my yoga and not judge myself or compare myself, and that is so freeing! Still a lot that I can’t do, that doesn’t have a modification, but I make my own and feel good about it! 🙂
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Yeah to you! Yeah to your teacher for making you feel safe and motivating you through your practice. That is so good for me to hear! 💕
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This is a wonderful post on realizing your limitations and your strengths.
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Thank you Elizabeth 💛
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My youngest daughter taught piloxing, a combination of Pilates and boxing. She had elderly women mixed in with younger ones. She would tell them a variety of choices while playing music of many styles. She would quietly say, “switch to. . .” or “try this move,” which I feel the instructor who didn’t think of this may have not been intentional but she wasn’t very aware of her students or fellow yoga members. ❤ thanks, Val.
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Thank you Robyn for your kind words and sharing your daughter’s wisdom 💛
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Val I have a wonderful teacher who reminds us every week we only do whats right for us and it does not matter if we can’t do all the poses. He has a great sense of humour about it and makes everyone feel wonderful, no matter what stage we are at. Im am sure you would do the same.
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He sounds great!! So glad you have such a teacher Kath 💛
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I love this story, Val, for your ability to shift the shame and pain into opportunity, and your resolve to be an understanding and compassionate teacher.
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