I never realized how much I love punishment until today's class.
Over the past two years I've gone sporadically to this studio when I really want the joys of sweating through my clothing, having a red face and getting a nice stretch with predictable poses.
And, over the past two years I've walked out each class thinking, 'I'll never go back there again.'
Today, seriously, was the final one. Which is nice as I've been meaning to try the hot yoga studio (not Bikram studios) that popped up in the last year or so here.
Anyway, of the reasons I won't return (and I gave it an uncharacteristically low rating for my style):
1. I once bowed out of 1 pose because of a torn ACL from my past. I was pointed out, urged to continue and then embarrassed when the teacher made me feel still that I was being weak. ACL injuries aren't so great in some of the poses. So sue me.
2. I was scolded for taking a drink of water once. I'm a grown woman, if I need water, I need water. It's not a crime. Ah, unless you're at Bikram.
3. On a separate class, I made a small adjustment to a pose to cater to aforementioned knee and I was called out by name and demanded to alter to the Bikram style. I said I can't do it because I have a knee injury and again, silence, awkwardness and me feeling singled out and embarrassed.
4. Today's final straw: I brought my own mat, a small hand towel for sweat and my own water. 20 minutes into the class the teacher called me by name and said I need to put a towel on my mat. I told her, "No thanks! I prefer without" Which began about 2 minutes of discussion. Me: I slip on towels, I prefer my mat. Her: we require a towel. Me: I didn't bring one because I do not like them. Her: We require a towel. And then her voice trailed off and she began the new pose. I didn't know if I was being kicked out for having my own preference or if I should stay so I awkwardly stayed.
After class, I thought, let me just tell her something to ease the strangeness. I apprached her alone and said "Sorry, I truly don't like the towel in heated classes. I slip, it has a heated feeling against my feet and it's uncomfortable. But I buy really nice mats and they're anti-slip so it's great for me." - Smiley face.
Her (Non smiley face. More like ate-a-really-bad-apple face) "Well, if you ever want to return, you must bring a towel. If you don't stand on a towel then suddenly other people won't want a towel and then everyone has a preference."
And I thought to myself "Gosh, what a horrible world it would be if during a 15 euro yoga class ("Yoga" being used loosely here) people were allowed to make their own adult decisions about what is best for their practice.
I kindly left. Never to return again.
Also, TOWEL REVOLUTION 2014. Free the towels! read more