We all know them. That one person who comes to a yoga class and does their own thing. Seemingly oblivious to the world around them, they roll out their mat and start doing their own interpretive dance-like moves, marching to the beat of their own drum. Disregarding anything the teacher is saying these “rogue yogis” tend to baffle those around them, and frustrate teachers trying to offer them guidance. They distract people close to them and confuse others who may be new to the yoga world. Beginners look over at “Joe Yogi” and wonder if they’re doing the right moves. I mean, that guy has a sweatband on, all the lulu attire, and is breathing louder than anyone else in the class, so he must be right…..right!?
*She sighed with deep resignation.
I’ve learned to work with these types of students in a few different ways. First, if they continue to come to the class, I try to get to know them. I want to understand their need to strike out on their own path, and chatting with them usually helps me get a clearer picture as to why they flow independently. Secondly, sometimes, I just ignore them. Let them do their own thing, mainly because picking your battles and preserving energy as someone who is constantly giving energy as a teacher is key – it’s a preservationist move. Thirdly, I speak to them, asking them to please try and follow along. This I save for times when their movements, and sometimes noises become so disruptive, they bother the other students. I try to tactfully point out they are making it difficult for those near them to practice.
Want to know something else?
They are almost always men.
Scratch that. For me, they have always been men.
Bare in mind, this has been my individual experience as a yoga teacher. These characteristics are not gender exclusive. People who are prone to hyper individualism cross into the ends of both realms. Just as sexuality exists on a spectrum, so does an under or overdeveloped sense of self. I’m sure there are women practitioners who like to attend public classes and pop into handstand while everyone else is chilling in bridge pose. However, for the most part, the rogue yogis in my class are men.
It immediately makes me think of gender roles. Women are encouraged to work with others, blend, be kind, don’t make a splash, try to fit in with the other kids. Men are encouraged to be themselves, be bold, adventurous, speak their minds, conquer shit. Thankfully these gender roles are starting to be challenged and blended with both male and female upbringings beginning to experience amalgamation. Thank goodness, because frankly, the old way is antiquated AF and just plain damaging. Gender and aspects of the masculine and feminine exist in all of us.
It’s helpful for women to hear it’s okay to do their own thing. It’s very beneficial for men to hear, “Hey Chad! Guess what, no one cares about your WASPY thoughts on Emily Bronte! STFU and listen to what the Prof has to say” – or something to that effect….
When a room full of bodies are all flowing in sync, it is a stunningly beautiful thing to behold, and a sacred thing to be a part of.
When there’s that one yogi doing their own thing, it throws off that synergistic, choir-like vibe. It feels like they’re singing G sharp while everyone else is on C major. No. Just No.
I understand the need for individualism, for challenging the status quo, and pushing boundaries. In the yoga class context I encourage the modifying of poses to make sure you’re safe. I also understand the simple desire to be around others and enjoy the studio space, even if you’re not following along, or just that itch you need to scratch when you wanna flow and be free. But save the scratching of that itch for your home practice.
Even so, overall – in a yoga class scenario, when someone is so caught up in their own world, it ends up disrupting the collective agreement that we are all here to listen to what a teacher has to offer, and hopefully gain something from the experience by participating in a group activity. It robs them and those around them of the opportunity to take part in the meaning of the word yoga:
UNION.
Remember, it’s not just about you, Chad. It’s also about the collective. The fact we are all connected. You can still be an individual and follow along in a yoga class. I promise you won’t lose your autonomy. Ironically you end up gaining more of it. How you ask?
By acknowledging we are a part of a greater whole, a whole that is beautiful, incredible, and energy inducing. Once you experience the scintillating yet somehow calming energy of that whole, a desire to honour and preserve it bubbles up from within you. You realize your individual actions are a part of greater system. By extension, the desire to own your actions may emerge. A deeper sense of personal agency may begin to rise from within. You become more aware of your uniqueness within the whole. By awakening you to your place in the world, your individual role on this planet, you gain a deeper sense of who you are as an individual. An individual who is participating in this massive network of nature.
It may seem small and inconsequential, but I would argue that taking part in a yoga class with respect for those around you, be it fellow students or your teacher, gives that person a gift of ‘community yoga’ – community yoga which grants us a feeling of genuine connection we all crave.
So consider this if you are a rogue yogi. You are not just depriving those around you of peace. You are also robbing yourself of peace and connection. So follow along Chad. It won’t hurt you. Pinky swear. If anything, it will make your life better.
