My 5 Biggest Red Flags in Yoga Classes | Emily Rowell Yoga

Yoga Off the Mat Series: • Yoga Off the Mat
Most yoga classes are wonderful and welcoming... but occasionally you might come across some things which don't really line up with the teachings of yoga. Here are my 5 biggest red flags in the world of yoga...
Follow me on Instagram: / emilyrowellyoga

[@EmilyRowellYoga]

Are there any big red flags that I've missed in this video? 🤔 I'll reiterate again that this is just my personal opinion - it's OK if you disagree with me. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this topic 😊

[@hayzr9056]

I love gentle adjustments!

[@julianasalzer7726]

Wow, I love those kind of topics no one else seems to talk about but you! The last time I've been to an in person yoga class was before 2005 & I have to admit I had great teachers. I was touched once & it helped me to realise how close my toes have actually been to the ground in plow pose. I sometime think to myself that I would only want to go to yoga classes which were held by the teachers I'm following online 🌈💜🧘‍♀️

[@katiadelrieu5621]

I am getting into yoga and you're the best channel I've discovered so far. Love your work! Of course I've subscribed..

[@carolgreen7456]

I see there is a few things I must change. Wow! Thanks for the information.

[@carolgreen7456]

I am happy to be in my own home doing my poses as I do. Thank you for sharing I get this information and I agree totally with what is being said here my words exactly. When you see my channel, I am mostly just getting back into my passion for yoga. I have been to studios in the past and online classes now I am ready to teach yoga.

[@noordinaryyarn-handdyedfar5035]

I agree. Don’t touch me, but please guide me verbally about correct alignment.

[@lewis801]

I very much agree with the 5 flags. I've been in a lot of classes that don't show any reverence to the philosophy or treat it as an exercise class which , for me, misses the point otherwise it should just be pilates. Which I also really enjoy but know not to expect yogic tradition. Regarding adjustments, I am a fan of hands on methods with an explanation or a really good verbal explanation in which I can remember so that I can try with and without in my own practice. Thank you for the videos Emily and keep on snoozing Penny!

[@EmilyRowellYoga]

Thanks for your comment, Lewis :)

[@andriannacurtis3504]

Oh I agree with all of these. I really hate it if they don’t talk about the history and other limbs of yoga and there are classes I don’t go to as I know they are clicky x

[@yogisonboard]

Hi Emily! Thanks for the vid! In a teacher and I agree with all of these red flags!! I took a photo at the end of a class this week, just in Ardha Padmasana because it feels so out of sync to snap snap during class!

[@EmilyRowellYoga]

Out of sync is exactly it! It can feel as if it takes everyone out of their rhythm when a camera comes out mid-practice. Thanks for your comment :)

[@masyitahameera2896]

I live in malaysia and my yoga class is conducted in Mandarin and im not even a chinese but being in a community that yoga is not practised widely by my race ,i dont really mind if my teacher doesnt mention any sanskrit terms coz i practically understand the poses 😊...you are being very helpful and informative....namaste from a new sub 🎉❤

[@EmilyRowellYoga]

Thanks for your comment, it's wonderful to hear about yoga communities and classes all around the world 🤩🙏🏼

[@allysonperez5241]

I 100% agree no mention of sanskrit/origins is a red flag! Yoga is so much more than an exercise class and it’s important to uphold and respect that it is an ancient tradition! Just found you and love your videos! Much love from Austin TX!

[@EmilyRowellYoga]

Thanks for your comment :)

[@Victoria-the-corvid]

I'm just getting into yoga so I've not experienced any in-person classes yet, but I'm a pole dancer and aerialist and I always HATED instructors touching me without my consent. I had instructors who rather than letting me realise the limits of my own strength would just come over and lift me into positions. I'm also neurodivergent and sometimes my skin is just overly sensitive and someone touching me when I'm not expecting it can be extremely uncomfortable. The "no pain no gain" "push yourself" mentality is also how I ended up injuring my back... I was in a contortion class doing a chest stand and my instructor kept saying my feet were "so close" to the floor... I'd said at the start of class I wanted to go easy on back bends because it was feeling a little niggly (after she physically pushed me into a stretch that I didn't fully understand)... but because she kept saying how close I was to the floor, I stayed in the pose and pushed it for a lot longer and a lot further than I should have. I looked at the photo she took... my feet were about a foot away from the floor. I was SO angry, and my back's never been the same.

[@katiadelrieu5621]

I am hypermobile but I absolutely love hands-on adjustments. As long as they dont take place where I feel I could snap...

[@atis9061]

who takes photos of students without consent? I would immediately leave and I would also say why I am leaving! that's a huge no-no that demands resistance. don't be that passive. part of being a yogi is standing up for truth. I prefer adjustments and I am happy to get them but I can't imagine a teacher not asking.

[@EmilyRowellYoga]

It's not very common but unfortunately it does happen (taking photos without consent). It's a big no-no from me!

[@cindymagyar8566]

Love adjustments but yes agree teacher needs to ask for consent for adjustment

[@rebeccalittlejohn9081]

Like you, I bring depth of the lineage of yoga adding philosophy, the lime & sanskrit & more. Regarding hands on adjustment, I feel it only needs to be done if a student is at risk of injuring themselves, otherwise, why are your actually doing it when there are so many verbal cues that could help them (especially in their own practice).

[@EmilyRowellYoga]

Totally agree with you, Rebecca. If someone is doing something unsafe then a manual adjustment can sometimes be the best option, but usually I try and challenge myself to explain things as clearly as possible through verbal cues.

[@laurahodgson6531]

Ooo I'd be angry if an instructor took a photo without consent. Who is doing this?!

[@EmilyRowellYoga]

I know, right!

[@FrancescaLD]

Hands on adjustment is a powerful tool of teaching. I’m baffled that you list it as a “red flag”. It’s a fair practice to ask for consent, but it’s a wishy washy mentality that has only become prevalent in the recent years.

[@KimberlyLetsGo]

But you eliminate Namaste? Let's not reinvent the wheel.