I have been teaching yoga for 15+ years and have noticed an unpleasant phenomenon. During the past few months, I've had a few new students enter my class and loudly complain. "This is too hard." "So-and-so at the studio down the street doesn't do the pose that way." "I don't like that weird music. They play Bon Jovi at LA Fitness."

Yoga has become more mainstream and widely available. MacYoga chains are springing up everywhere. Help! I may forget about ahimsa and bop these wackos. Are any other instructors experiencing this?

Post edited by: xyoga, at: 2011/07/09 06:06

I often tell my students that yoga is supposed to be hard. If it isn't, what's the point? Students who do not want to do the work don't last long in my classes!

Maybe explain more about why you are doing what. I often do not teach the same pose the same way from class to class as my focus and intention changes from class to class.

Perhaps directly addressing how our minds like to complain when we are doing something uncomfortable and how to use yoga to overcome our complaining nature and focus on the present experience.

Most importantly be true to yourself and your teaching style.