So disgusted

Hi Slipjig

I always worry about any studio who shows no interest in ailments or conditions, because it usually means that they think the yoga will fix EVERYTHING and that (and this may not be the case here) the Bikram dialog is just perfect and you can rely on the scripted class for any and everything… and all you have to do is just refer to the words.

What happened at the studio is wrong on a good few levels. There has definitely been some reactivity on both sides of the equation. You were certainly brave enough to share your proclamation when you were asked by the teacher what was wrong. It is natural to feel strongly that there was a connection between the push on the ankle (gentle or ungentle) and then the cramping in your biceps.

However, I don’t know whether anyone could blame the push of the ankle with the cramping of your arm muscles. So rather than ascribe blame there, I would like to draw your attention to what happened after that.

By your account, there appears to be no enquiry into the real problem and there appears to be a lack of compassion. If someone’s arm were cramping I would be perhaps getting them some electrolytes, (at my studio there would be salt at the desk for that purpose) asking them to drink, finding out if they minded if I helped by massaging the area or any number of things.

How does anybody talk about ‘fault’ when it comes to a muscle cramp?

Anyway, the rest of the account appears to be a childish ‘he said she said’ exchange which shows little customer service ethic.

My questions to you are these: Are you considering going back to this studio? Do you really need an apology? Do you think you’ll get it? Do you think you can ask them if they can simply say “may I push on your ankle?” or other simple question before they help you or anyone else?

If they rarely help anybody and rely on the script, then it is good manners to ask every single time. If the culture is one of helping students often, then there tend to be unspoken transactions of permission that occur between student and teacher and in such studios, it may be a look or a nod or something similar that seals the deal. I often just approach someone and before I put my hand on them I say: “may I?” I don’t even have to say anything else. They’ll nod, say yes. Or on the odd occasion, they’ll say no.

As far as I know, teachers who train with Bikram are told not to touch anybody, they are taught the script will suffice for everything. Your last question is obviously rhetorical! 😉 Typically, if a person is injured in class, a yoga teacher may say (and this is not what I believe) “oh, that happened because you have an old injury and the yoga is causing it to become obvious/come to the surface.” Or similar words are used. In my experience, if you do the yoga with precision techniques properly applied, then you can avoid damage, heal what’s there and not have to re-experience old injuries!

But, if someone experiences pain or injury in class, the first thing to do is show caring. If it’s serious, then help the person. If it’s not, they can rest and rejoin when they want. It would be rare to turf someone out of a studio for saying they hurt themselves.

If the tables were turned, can you tell me if everything were the same as you detail it, would you have had that student leave immediately?

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂