unhealthy looking instructors

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Leatherstocking
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January 25, 2013 at 3:15 am

Post count: 4

#2477

I came to hot yoga for a number of reasons, including wanting to vary up my vinyasa routine and to see what bikram was all about. After nearly 20 classes now, I have had only one instructor who was both fit and seemed to be able to accurately demonstrate the poses, offer modifications, and adequately address my concerns. The rest of the instructors are rather unhealthy looking and don’t seem to really understand the mechanics of the body.

In my vinyasa classes, my teachers were so precise, so knowledgeable, and none of them was startlingly overweight and what seems by the looks of the bikram teachers, out of shape, rather than yoga-toned.

This is the only experience with hot yoga that I have, so maybe this is unusual, but it really doesn’t inspire confidence.

Is this more common than I realize?

Thanks.

Nina

Jbigler
Participant

January 26, 2013 at 5:17 am

Post count: 60

#10268

Hi Nina —

I understand your concern. I’ve practiced many schools of yoga (in dozens of yoga studios) in addition to hot yoga, and, to me, the instructor is a primary focus. I don’t expect to find a guru, in the traditional Indian sense, but I do expect to find someone who has followed the practice, appreciated the benefits of the practice, and will inspire me to follow the same practice to achieve those benefits.

If I see an unhealthy, overweight, sloppy instructor — someone who apparently doesn’t respect and take care of his/her own body — I am immediately in a negative state… those instructors will need to prove to me that they are truly dedicated and that there is a legitimate and justifiable reason that they are not what I expected. And, given that burden, a couple of instructors have surprised me and proven themselves.

I don’t believe that you should ignore your concern. You can give the instructor a chance to prove him/her self, but it is not too much for you to ask an instructor to lead by example.

The Bikram style of teaching, from my experience, does not offer much demonstration of proper form or offer (or tolerate) many modifications — it’s more about reciting a script from a raised stage, with oral instruction/criticism… not always ideal. Regardless of that, I believe that the instructor should show qualities that you would like to achieve through your own practice.

Sincerely, I hope you find inspiring instructors!
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