I need to tell this yoga teacher I just don't want to be touched in class. The first time she went to adjust me, I was in a one legged handstand and she knocked me over. Since then, the issue has been butt touching. She told us last night if we weren't standing correctly she would be tapping out booties. It pissed me off. Why our butts? Why not our shoulders? I felt uncomfortable watching her put her hand on the butt of the girl in front of me. I felt the need to cover my butt when she walked behind me. In one class, she had everyone sit on her knee to get into chair position. Why? We aren't the same height. I chose to go to the bathroom and she was still doing it when I came back so I just layed down until it was over. At one point, the yoga studio was giving cards to people that you could face up or down to let people signify if they wanted to be touched or not. Someone else had complained and this same instructor acted like it was her right to touch people and like the person who spoke up was the one with the problem. They stopped doing the card thing. Someone just bought me a month membership as a gift, so I don't want to just throw that down the drain.
5
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6 comments
Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.Where I live, what she is doing would be considered sexual assault (defined as unwanted touching or kissing) and you and others would be in the right to report her actions to her superior(s). Better that she get a warning from a boss than the company get a lawsuit for sexual assault. Think of it that way and do others as well as yourself a favour. 
demifeministgal
Level 8
Aug 26, 2019
0
Is there some reason you have not simply talked to the instructor directly ?
If you're intimidated for some reason - just imagine her sitting on the toilet ! A trick I've used in the past that equalizes the playing field - no matter WHO it is !
Nothing wrong with speaking up. You can be kind and respectful, and still get a clear message across !
evergreen
Level 8
Aug 21, 2019
2
I appreciate your words. That instructor expressed lack of empathy for people who said they don't want to be touched in the past. At that time it wasnt my issue because I didnt have the experience. I did say then, some people have trauma and people just have boundaries. She just said I don't know what to tell people that don't want to be touched, I touch people. Im not super eager to go to her classes right now. I did tell another instructor at the same place tonight that I appreciate her classes for a lot of reasons. Not only is she talented, but she respects peoples space, and doesnt touch peoples butts. Its not the space I wanted to have to stand up for myself. It does feel awkward to have to say outloud in a quiet class, please don't touch me. I probably just won't go to her classes anymore..
@thinkwithme Too bad - until people stand up to her, she's ruling. I'm not generally a violent person - but were I in your place, I would wait till she touched me again, and calmly say - with a smile of course - "if you touch me again - I'll break your fingers"
I have taken yoga classes over the years and have had instructor assist to position but no one has ever touched in there or any other part. If the studio has other classes with other instructors ask to be switched. If not, tell your friend what happened so that they don't give that gift again for that studio. I gave that gift I would want to know that. Just use soft language in explaining it to them.....
scout123456
Level 5
Aug 21, 2019
1
Yoga is not licensed for sexual predators....touch her butt pinch under her arm close to her tit....teach this perpetrator a lesson for free
GreenAtheist
Level 8
Aug 21, 2019
0
Be a bit aggressive. Look her in the eye and simply say something like; "Do NOT touch me again".
bigpawbullets
Level 9
Aug 21, 2019
2
I do need to be straight forward . Thank you. I think eye contact is a good suggestion.
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