distractions of first timers

Hello blue

We both know you have to take responsibility for you, and if I can be so bold, this is NOT entirely your ‘fault’ if I can use such a term.

Setting the scene and giving newcomers some basic ground rules about the how tos and the what to dos is the job of their teacher.

Things that are for most part ‘controllable’ are the preferences to do with:
* movement
* leaving the room
* drinking water
* the direction of their visual attention

Notice that I said preferences. You can tell anybody anything you want, but in the end if it is a demand or unreasonable or not explained with enough logic or detail to invite them into your model of the world, then they will feel controlled and probably look to buck the system or resist your will.

So, I agree, it is very annoying when new students leave the room. The fact that they do one after the other is testimony that they have not been asked in the right way or given the reason why they should not leave the room. As an example our new students have a 5-10 min orientation before their first class so all the logistical and behavioral stuff including a couple of key elements to the class are covered. Once we started to do this, compliance to the ‘rules’ in class and new student comfort and return rate drastically improved.

If there is enough call for it from teachers who want to know our formula, then please respond in this forum, or write to me and I can put something together.

Blue, remember when you were a newbie? Probably feels like a distant memory! I remember when I first started. I was one that made occasional noises (not loud grunts though 😉 ). I don’t do that anymore. I wonder what it was that you did? Perhaps your focus was not as good as it is now. Maybe you looked around or reached for your water bottle too often. Often newcomers make noises which show how much mental noise is going on for them. And as yet they are unable to manage their emotional state through a quiet body. Their growing levels self-acceptance are reflected in the way they castigate themselves (often audibly) or they make all sorts of movements or stances that really result in distracting themselves from what they will eventually find: focus in the mirror, on themselves and their practice.

Stuff like that I am sure every regular student recognizes and has some patience for. It is when the acceptable stuff is in addition to the really annoying stuff where it even has the potential to upset your own class. As you have probably heard: ‘don’t let anybody steal your peace’.

Tips you ask?
When you are experiencing this you can bring your attention right back to your breath (classic direction! :cheese:) and if you can’t do that, then try for some empathy recognizing your own previous path reflected in the first-timer. Self-empathy works too: try to recognize what it is you yourself are feeling, acknowledge it (for example:
I acknowledge that I am feeling upset that my needs for flow and focus are not being met) and observe it and then let it go!

Namaste
Gabrielle 🙂

Bikram says this practice makes you “Bullet proof, sex proof, sweat proof, life proof”.
Sometimes the practice we need to work on most is turning inward instead of looking outward.
Meet your own eyes in the mirror and other peoples movement might not bother you. Always listen to your breath, and you might never hear other peoples noises. The guy sweating buckets next to you, nothing he can do about that, be empathetic. The stinky person, know that we have all smelled bad.
Become bulletproof!
I know it’s easier said than done, and somedays it’s all I can do to keep it together.

Smile, then let it go, it’s 90 minutes the you get to leave.

Hi Blue

I understand where you are coming from, with reference to “Newbies” leaving the room, as I have felt myself being frustrated by them, or the person standing next to you who is late in or out of every posture etc. :cheese:

I decided recently (after finding that the frustration wasn’t working for me!) that I needed to look at this as another challenge of my practice. I now look at it as a chance to improve my focus and stillness, and endeavour to not let anyone steal my peace.

Namaste

Yes, oh yes! Newcomers are indeed not the only distraction … if I let my gaze wander at all away from the mirror and myself, SPROING! My mind is off and running! “That girl’s towel matches her mat. Ew, that guy sure is hairy! Hey, I should get a shirt like that woman is wearing–it looks more comfortable than mine … ” Etc. Etc. Etc. Sometimes I wish we COULD close our eyes!

FUnny I try to remind people that it’s just yoga, and it should be fun,
but that said, I should remind myself of that more often.