We hear things that make our hearts ache. But maybe that wasn't the intention? Let's get to the bottom of what can affect a yoga teacher.
"What you are teaching is not Yoga", "This is more Yoga than that".
Let's assume that a yoga teacher has practised and trained, and that their sole intention is to share Yoga. They will be grateful if their experience, life path and skills are recognized and honored.
There are a variety of methods and approaches; it is the intention to reconnect with oneself, to awaken, that makes Yoga what it is, not the shape of the practice. Yoga encompasses the whole of life. It certainly offers tools for self-exploration, but it's up to each individual to find the ones that suit them best.
Moreover, teachers are often already under a pressure to refine their sessions so that they always remain firmly anchored in this intention. It's not easy to share a universal knowledge that dates back centuries. And very few of them have realised its essence.
In the same way that we show kindness to ourselves during a session, let's not forget to show kindness to our teacher, even if we never see them again.
Reproaching the teacher for something that is beyond their control
As a general rule, reproaching is not a pleasant form of energy for those who hear the reproach or for those who are directly targeted. It's very different to communicate feedback with kindness, i.e. making sure you don't hurt the other person's feelings, without being complacent either, as this is easily visible, than with aggression/anger.
You can assume that everyone is doing the best they can and has the best intentions in the world (please note that we are not referring here to cases of harassment or anything else of this order).
"And, are there any other classes offered at this studio than yourself?" "Do you teach them all?"
If a session doesn't resonate with you. It's better either to say nothing, or to say that you're looking for another form of practice. A teacher knows that hiers sessions won't be a match for everyone, but they can be open to discussion. For my part, I really enjoy redirecting a student who is on the fence and asks me for advice. For example, my approach is gentle and meditative, very simple, although rigorous, and I know that if someone is looking for a dynamic practice like Vinyasa, where everything goes quickly and there's a variety of poses, I'll redirect them towards classes in that style. Although, in our current lifestyle that's already very hyperactive and distracting, it's more than beneficial to allow yourself to look for a gentle, conscious approach.
Marie Mazeau, Lifexploratrice, certified full-time Yoga teacher in Paris, specialising in gentle, joyful, educational and meditative sessions online, for individuals, associations, companies and studios.