Yoga teacher mistakes are common – no one is perfect. Where there is cause for concern is when teachers start to overstep boundaries or take their classes outside of their scope of practice. I welcome you to join me for yoga teacher mistakes that prevent a restful experience.
What regulations do teachers follow?
Many (but not all) teachers register with Yoga Alliance, a nonprofit that ensures high quality education and ethical teachings. The Ethical Commitment outlines what teachers should and should not do in the classroom and in yoga teacher trainings.
Teachers must meet certain criteria to remain in Yoga Alliance. Ongoing continuing education, teaching hours and an annual fee are some requirements necessary.
How do I know if my teacher registered with Yoga Alliance?
You can either search your teacher’s name in the Yoga Alliance Directory, or see if they have RYT in their bio. It’s best to check Yoga Alliance directly to get the most updated information.
If my teacher isn’t registered, are they practicing illegally?
Not at all. And technically, teachers don’t need to attend a Registered Yoga Teacher Training to teach yoga (although most studios require this).
It’s important to note that if a teacher is not registered with Yoga Alliance, it doesn’t mean they’re doing anything illegal. Many teachers still have wildly successful careers and are amazing teachers despite not being registered.
How does this relate to Yoga Teacher Mistakes?
Teaching yoga isn’t as strictly regulated as other careers like medical professionals. We don’t need to meet certain criteria or experience levels to teach. While this is great for yoga students to graduate and immediately start teaching in studios, it can leave students in a vulnerable place.
It’s important to note that while many teachers show respect, offer helpful cues, and are well-intentioned, not all teachers have received training in trauma-informed yoga and may use language that is triggering.
These mistakes are for both trauma and non-trauma informed teachers. No teacher should ever create hostility in the classroom.
6 Yoga Teacher Mistakes
1. The teacher gives physical assists without asking
For some students (even those who’ve experienced trauma), physical touch can be healing. Clear boundaries of consent are still vital. No teacher should touch you without asking unless you have come to an agreement that hands-on adjustments are always okay. Trauma-informed yoga teachers will always ask (other certifications believe physical assists are never appropriate).
Assisting without asking can make a class immediately uncomfortable and depending on the pose, triggering or even traumatizing.
Asserting your boundaries with your teacher is encouraged if they touch you without permission. If they’re uncooperative, I encourage you to mention the occurrence to studio management.
If you are new to a studio, you can also converse with the teacher beforehand to let them know if you are/are not okay with physical touch.
2. The teacher insists you do a pose, or you must do the pose a certain way
I’d like to clarify there is a difference between a teacher correcting your form so you are safe during the practice, and the teacher wanting the pose done “their way.”
An example would be if you are in a low lunge, with your right leg in front and left leg extending back. To protect your knee, it’s important to not align your knee past your front ankle. That would be okay (as long as it’s done respectfully) for a teacher to mention this. You still have the final say in your practice.
What’s not okay is if a teacher continues to tell you to reach your arm up to the sky for a twist if you don’t want to. That isn’t a form issue, it’s simply a preference. We can feel in our bodies when there is pressure on us, and yoga has never been, nor will ever be, about being pressured.
You are absolutely welcome to assert yourself, leave class at any time, and complete poses how it feels best to you.
“Yoga has never been, nor will ever be, about being pressured.”
3. The teacher picks favorite students in class and ignores you
It can be difficult for shy teachers (like myself) to reach out to new students and converse with them. I know how uncomfortable it is when you walk into a class and the teacher says nothing to you, makes no eye contact, and only offers dialogue to other students.
This becomes a problem in the studio because yoga is a place of centeredness and inclusion. Picking favorites can transform this into an odd resemblance of high school cliques. Every student in the classroom matters.
If you have tried to converse with the teacher and you’re brushed off for students who have been attending longer, it may benefit you to find a new teacher. You deserve a yoga teacher that cares about your journey as much as another student.
4. There are zero adaptations or additional options for poses
It saddens me when I ask people why they don’t do yoga even though they want to try. The number one reason? I’m not flexible enough. This is frustrating because yoga is meant for everyone.
I understand that every teacher is different and has a unique style, but even a few additional options can transform a class. It allows inclusion, especially when it’s mentioned as “another option is…” Instead of “The easier option is…” Language is so important in class because it’s rare a student will take a pose if the teacher says it’s easier.
Our bodies and anatomies are also widely different. Sometimes, it’s not about your flexibility or muscle strength at all, but about the length, size and shape of your bones. I have short arms, so head stands are not an option for me because it causes too much compression on my spine. If I was new to yoga, I wouldn’t feel great about myself if a teacher told me to do the easy version, or offered no other options.
Teachers can create an inclusive environment by offering multiple options, or even saying: You may choose to take any other pose you prefer here. By allowing you to be the ultimate decision maker in your practice, you’re also able to embody your practice more. I welcome you to read this blog post to learn how to create more embodiment in your yoga practice.
5. The teacher makes outlandish claims not supported by science
Unless a yoga teacher has specific training or outside education, I welcome you to take claims made by teachers lightly. You may wish to complete your own research or ask for a source if your teacher made certain claims for your yoga practice. Below are common terminology you may find in a classroom.
Example of misleading terminology:
“This pose is detoxifying.”
The only “detoxing” that happens in our bodies is because of our kidneys, liver, and other bodily functions. We can promote digestion through twists and gentle movements that massage our internal organs, but “detox” is a fad word that may be misleading.
An example of harmful terminology:
This class/ pose/ series will 100% cure or 100% heal x, y, z.
Any teacher who says yoga alone cured a sickness, illness, or mental health condition is walking a fine line, and a dangerous one. Why? This may lead you to believe that if you follow a program perfectly and still face symptoms, then you must have done something wrong. Healing is complex and unique to each individual, so I welcome you to explore as many options as you choose.
Many classes I teach cater to specific symptoms for sexual trauma (digestive upset, fatigue, flashbacks, etc.). These help promote symptom relief, but I still recommend exploring additional supportive services for the best care plan possible.
6. The Biggest Mistake: You bring Your previous concerns (or any) to your teacher and they won’t make a change
If you think back to your favorite teachers throughout your lifetime (fitness, school, etc.), what made them so fantastic? Was it a natural given talent they were born with? Or did they listen to their students and tweaked their methods over time?
Teachers are human, and we’re not perfect. The most important trait a teacher can have is to welcome, accept, and value feedback. A desire to improve transforms mediocre teachers into phenomenal ones.
If your teacher does not honor your concerns about general safety, inclusion, and respect, I recommend you explore other studios or teachers. There are many other teachers ready to be told the harsh truth, so that one day they can appreciate the wonderful feedback.
Trauma-informed Yoga’s Promise
Trauma-informed yoga was created to prevent the mistakes above. Teachers are taught about safety, trust, choice, empowerment, cultural relevance, and collaboration with students. A certification in trauma-informed yoga ensures that teachers will have a practice that prioritizes each and every student. If you love your current yoga teacher, but they’re not trauma-informed, that’s okay. Maybe they haven’t heard of this style of yoga and might be interested if you told them about it. Or, maybe they don’t choose to become certified. Either way, it’s all good if you enjoy their teaching.
Overview
You are welcome to find the teacher that resonates with you, respects your boundaries, and at the end of the day: brings you joy. No teacher is 100% perfect, but the ones that are willing to learn and admit their mistakes is a sign you may have found your perfect match. It may take time to find them, but it’s worth it in the end.
