Comments on: Ask The Yogacist: Too Much Teacher Chit Chat in Class!

By: Josie

Josie — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 20:00:54 +0000

I have left many classes for reasons not dissimilar to this. If you don’t like the teacher’s style, then you should probably look elsewhere for a class. Obviously the veterans are enjoying the class, so someone is enjoys her style of teaching. Remember they were newbies at one time too.

So find a different class where you mesh better with the teacher.

By: Yoga Spy

Yoga Spy — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 02:42:31 +0000

Changing the dynamics of a group is tricky. In a one-on-one relationship, your opinion matters (otherwise there is no relationship). But, in a group, you might be the oddball (the only sane one, but the oddball nevertheless).

Regarding unnecessary chitchat: The key word is “unnecessary.” Once, a massage therapist chatted the whole time, even asking me about my career (for her benefit!). I wouldn’t have minded if she’d asked lots of relevant questions (eg, regarding my body, habits, and activities). Likewise, I’d welcome yoga-related teachings or discussions in class but not random talk.

My advice: If you’re overall positive about this teacher, I would broach the matter with her. If you’re so-so, I would look for another class (they’re not a scarce commodity, after all!)

Yoga Spy

By: Aggie

Aggie — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 01:13:50 +0000

I, too, teach at a community yoga center. First of all, I will point out that since it is funded by the city I am paid $25 (before taxes) for the one hour classes – Far less than I make teaching studio classes. I also had to purchase blocks and straps to ensure students can have the best possible experience. I teach these classes so that people who can’t afford a studio experience can be touched by Yoga.

I get many students who are totally new to Yoga, many who know one another (since they do actually live in the same community and refer one another) and who eventually get to know me. My class is fairly large and is packed with veterans.

We generally do most of the chatting in the first moments of class while we are setting up mats and props, etc. and occasionally will get off topic if there is a segway during asana practice.

I have new enrollees every 12 weeks and every 12 weeks more than half of the newbies come back and the class just keeps growing and growing. I always encourage my new Yoga students to not give up on Yoga if my class isn’t for them – to try different teachers at the center and beyond, because I want everyone to be as touched by Yoga as I am.

So , I agree with the sentiment of moving on if you don’t like the class.
Surely there are other offerings at your center and perhaps you will find the experience that works for you, while not taking away from an experience that is touching the hearts of others.

By: Jackie

Jackie — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 18:59:31 +0000

Another way to approach this is to talk to the management of the center. Someone likely is in charge of the instructor(s) they hire. You could let them know this is going on, register your concern about how it disrupts the flow of class and ask them if there is anything they could do about it.

By: kia

kia — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:42:33 +0000

I am not there but hope that the teacher is doing it for a reason such as the ones that Donna mentions. I think it is important for the teacher to examine her motives of why she is doing her actions, sometimes they aren’t always noble. I have been in a situation where the teacher is chatty, off-point, and selfish. In that kind of case IMHO the teacher needs to meditate or do whatever else can be done to get their head on straight so that they are there and fully-committed for their students again. I have no advice on how to talk to a teacher in this situation, I personally would walk if I was really annoyed.

By: Donna

Donna — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 13:06:03 +0000

As a teacher offering a class in a community hall for free with talk breaks there is reasons I do this (the breaks). 1) A lot of my students are older and physically challenged, they need a break – true I try to coordinte breaks with relaxation poses so if more advanced students want to tune out that’s fine 2) In response to student questions – my class is very open with lots of questions on technique/how to modify poses, I feel it is important to address these questions as they come up, not wait until the end, as everyone can benefit from the answers espcially is they are new to the class and too shy to ask, 3) my chat periods are short and on topic, if I had a story to share that would happen at the beginning of class to set the mood (still on topic) or help focus student’s attention during their practice.
I would hope that my students would approach me kindly one day after class and ask for fewer talk breaks if they had a problem with them. It may easily be something the teacher does intentially (“take your downdog for a walk” if you don’t like it) or unintentially (and you’ve helped her/him become a better instructor).

By: Bob Weisenberg

Bob Weisenberg — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:41:14 +0000

Sounds like good advice to me.

My question is where did you come up with “scoot your boot” and “take your down dog for a walk”?

Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com