Interesting. Comments, like "wow"? Or comments like "you're doing it wrong"? Or just catty stuff? Is it just attention from other students or the teacher in general that you find distracting? I'm always interested to hear these experiences.

I've been instructing for awhile and there are certainly some interesting dynamics that come up. The united energy can be wonderful if everyone can bring their attention into being present with their practice. However, an inflamed ego (student or teacher) can be highly disruptive. I try to direct things as smoothly as possible, but I've had my buttons pushed a few times as student and as teacher.

It's certainly a fine thing to find a teacher and community that you flow well with. Like most such "things", these are moments in time... fleeting. I've seen the community shift, grow, diminish... it's a living thing. Happy hunting! ... or not! There are many great teachers that suggest practice is best conducted alone. I enjoy both, given good company.

@Anemynous Cattiness. So much Cattiness.

Instructors are always very nice. They can see I know what I'm doing and am serious about it. I'm always receptive to and appreciative of feedback on form, suggestions, etc. I pay attention and make earnest effort without self-conscious inhibition, so they like me.

Other students (who make comments) fall into two camps: the "wow", "wish I could do that", "you're so flexible" camp; and the catty camp. The later is definitely worse for my peace of mind than the former, but it's sometimes hard to tell them apart--and any kind of attention at all is difficult for me to handle.

People act like they think I'm "showing off", and get nasty about it. And I'm totally bereft: is this not a yoga class? Are we not meant to practice these moves? Are we not supposed to get better at this after we've been working on it for years?? Am I supposed to fake being bad at this to save your feelings? It makes no sense to me. Even if people aren't nasty, just self-consciously measuring themselves against me, I feel bad about that. The only fix I can come up with is to practice alone. And it's really not that much of a difference to me, so I'm fine with it.

Hard and soft at the same time... but that’s not what you meant ?.

It depends on the style and the sincerity of the practitioner. If it gets your heart rate up, keeps it up and gets you to sweat... you will lose weight, as long as you don’t “reward” yourself with high calorie treats for doing yoga... lol! The formula for losing weight is pretty simple, but not easy... exercise more, eat less. I have seen people drop a lot of weight and radically change their bodies... but it is the mentality that drives the change not the practice itself. Consistency is more important than dramatic, strenuous efforts.

Lols.