You're My Yoga Teacher. That Doesn't Mean You Actually Know Me
Briefly

Yoga practice can bring up emotions, but practitioners may face unsolicited judgments from instructors. Over 10 years, personal labels such as "stoic" and "likes to be in control" were assigned by teachers. These comments can feel intrusive and provoke a question of why yoga teachers feel the need to share their perceptions without invitation. Reflection on these experiences may reveal the challenge of balancing the desire for connection with feelings of being misunderstood in a communal class setting.
Over the course of my 10-plus years of practicing, I've been called "stoic," "quiet," and that I'm someone who "likes to be in control" by different teachers.
The one question I still have trouble answering in relation to these events is why? Sure, we all have an inner monologue about the people and situations around us.
I've considered these rationalizations, not wanting to completely victimize myself if, in fact, they meant nothing by it.
Perhaps, most importantly, why do you think you know me so intimately? Is it because you occasionally stand in a room with me - along with 27 other people - for an hour?
Read at Yoga Journal
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