Yoga question: Do I have to touch you? (gym, arms, building)
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This doesn't happen in every class, but once in a while the instructor will tell everyone to hold hands or arms with the people on either side of you. Yesterday we were instructed to get in a circle and place our hand on the shoulder of the person next to us. We then did tree pose and some variations.
I don't like touching or being touched by people I don't know, especially if they're sweaty. Plus the guy I had my hand on kept leaning into me, throwing off my already poor balance. How egregious is it to decline to participate in this?
If it matters, these classes are at a gym, not a yoga studio.
I've been doing yoga for about 3 years but don't remember ever being asked to touch another gym member. I'm sure nobody would object to you not participating in that exercise or there should have been a variation you could have done by yourself.
If you do not like the way it is done you can always find another place where it is different.
I can not blame you however. I do not like people I do not know touching me. It is one thing if I am out with friends and a new acquaintance is very friendly and says "oh, Seija, you are so funny" and taps my arm for an instant. That is okay. Spontaneous small gestures of friendship are okay. "Placing a hand" by a stranger is not okay. Leaning is not okay. Being told I must do this and let it be done to me is DEFINITELY not okay. At least give me wine first.
I would talk to the yoga instructor before or after the class and tell how you feel. For all you know the others in the class might feel the same way. I don't want strangers touching me either, it's why I won't ever go for a massage.
I've never done this in yoga. I've had one or two teachers mention being in classes/studios that like to pair people for different balance/strength poses but they do not do it in our classes. Two of the teachers teach classes that occasionally involve doing variations on poses against a wall to make you either correct form or move into a harder balance pose than could be accomplished without the wall. But never with other students in a giant circle.
I've been doing yoga for 7 years and have never seen this. Also, I've never seen an instructor adjust one's posture without first asking if it's OK to do so.
I prefer a yoga studio to a gym because of a more meditative atmosphere there.
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