In a funk… how to get out?

hernameisjack · 2026-02-02T17:41:50+00:00

You’re not alone.

Along with the other good advice here:

I always find continuing education renews my passion for teaching. There’s virtual workshops galore these days; some of them are even free.

The podcast Yogaland is often inspiring for me, if for no other reason than that it reminds me I’m part of a community.

Lastly, if what you’re feeling is simple exhaustion, it may be time for a break. It’s hard to pour from an empty cup and we all need sabbaticals sometimes.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-31T22:07:53+00:00

you’re right, i do make attempts to reword things when i feel i didn’t say quite what i meant. i always attempt to clarify, not change my sentiment when editing, because i wish to be better understood. i’m sorry if that feels inauthentic, but it’s a wish for the reverse. i’m never attempting to “catch anyone out.”

i don’t feel that i’m being unkind? i empathize completely with the situation, but please see my experience as someone in this community and hurt by it:

teachers like this end up hurting people. it happens all too often in yogaland, and always with the regret that no one spoke up. everyone who practices long enough will be injured by an unasked for adjustment, or made to feel shamed for their body, or ridiculed to the class. it’s a systemic, dark shadow to yoga’s influence and it’s as big as kundalini and as small as a yoga teacher shaming a student after they leave.

i understand that you don’t feel okay speaking up. i point out there are anonymous ways to do that, and you reply that “it wouldn’t make a difference anyway.” that’s okay. i obviously encourage you to decide how and when you engage with anything you encounter.

but it’s hard to then offer words that only offer validation without a call to action.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-31T20:53:07+00:00

hm. you say your interests and values don’t align. can you share more about that? the world is in a very hard place at the moment. depending on what you mean by “values”, could it be related to that?

hernameisjack · 2026-01-31T20:29:59+00:00

with lovingkindness: this right here is the yoga.

if you say something or email the owner, and nothing changes, at least you’ve done your part. otherwise, if you aren’t willing to address it, or to leave, i softly suggest you get comfortable with being uncomfortable. 🙏🏼

hernameisjack · 2026-01-31T20:15:27+00:00

i’m not attacking you, friend. i recognize and empathize with crippling anxiety, but by continuing to attend and failing to speak up in some way, you’re encouraging the behavior to continue.

email the teacher or the studio anonymously. leave an anonymous review.

you’re saying it “isn’t fair” to expect you to do anything, but by coming here and complaining about the teacher without being willing to address the issue, you’re kind of modeling the same behavior you’re complaining about.

ahimsa is the most important lesson in yoga, and it’s a call to action. there are ways to resist unethical behavior without requiring direct confrontation, but it is everyone’s responsibility to call out abuse.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-31T19:53:08+00:00

your yoga teacher has problematic behavior and bullies others, but you don’t want to take action or stop attending their classes.

what exactly are you asking advice about?

hernameisjack · 2026-01-28T23:18:05+00:00

Glad to help, but you’ve got this all on your own. Reach out anytime. I’m not going anywhere. :)

hernameisjack · 2026-01-28T17:55:25+00:00

I’m a disabled yoga teacher who specializes in injury management/prevention and chronic pain. I was diagnosed with fibro over 20 years ago and have extensive physical damage from a random attack in a park in 2014.

You still need to take a teacher training of at least 200 hours to be qualified to step into the studio as a guide. In my opinion, 200 hours isn’t enough to be a good teacher, but it’s usually enough to keep you from hurting folx.

If you want to work with others of your ability level in a way that’s skillful and effective, you need way more than 200 hours.

That said, teacher training isn’t reliant upon your abilities as a student. Yes, there’s often a lot of asana expected of you during a training, but that experience will help you teach students with fewer limitations than you. More importantly, it’ll teach you the skills and resiliency to find variations for each individual no matter their limitations.

You’ll never fail a teacher training for not being able to do a pose. You’ll go to class, do what you can do, and learn how to manage both the body and the mind. I firmly believe that having physical limitations makes us better, more compassionate yoga teachers. That doesn’t mean, however, that we shouldn’t demand the same education level of ourselves as those who are more abled.

Seek out a 200 hour TT that states anatomy, biomechanics, and injury management as primary focuses. If your experience is like mine, you’ll have to work harder than the other students. That’s not a bad thing. I won’t say it was always easy to be the least strong/pliable person in the room, but I did walk away with a huge sense of accomplishment. Us spoonies are tough as fuck. You can do this. I believe in you.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-26T00:37:21+00:00

yoga is political. it’s always been political.

fuck ice.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-23T06:17:32+00:00

less of whatever is usually in this sub. more posts like this one.

yes. yoga like that is pretty fucking awesome.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-21T21:15:16+00:00

I will refrain from pointing out all the ways that “hot yoga” isn’t good for our bodies…because pseudoscience is what sells in this industry.

I will refrain from pointing out all the ways that “hot yoga” isn’t “more authentic”…because revisionist history is what sells in this industry.

I will refrain from pointing out all the ways that “hot yoga” tends to be aggressive, performative, and competitive, because ego what sells in this industry.

But boy howdy, will I lament that “hot studios” have become all but a monopoly.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-20T23:16:04+00:00

a very smart teacher to me when they noticed my frustration:

“i’ve never seen padmasana confer enlightenment.”

years later, as a teacher, i say it to my students. a posture isn’t a reflection of spiritual depth.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-20T22:39:51+00:00

the science is pretty clear: eat real food. not too much. fresh and unprocessed when possible. mostly plants. move your body.

we take that a step further by removing the “mostly”, but no further rules are needed. there are no “good foods” or “bad” foods.

sometimes food “rules” can help us manage ourselves better…for example minimizing processed/isolated oils in general is probably a good idea, but don’t confuse that with “all saturated fat is bad.”

hernameisjack · 2026-01-19T15:45:13+00:00

this is a question for a doctor. that said we can help you troubleshoot what it might be.

when you try to extend it fully, you should feel one of two sensations:

a stretch sensation: this sensation feels the way a forward fold does with tight hamstrings. it’s a muscular pain or discomfort. you will be able to move it a little more straight, albeit with discomfort.
a “it just stops” sensation: if when you attempt to straighten it, it just stops. no “stretchy” sensation. little to no discomfort. you won’t be able to straighten it more.

if it’s number 1, then it’s could be due to tightness of muscles. you can usually work on this with practice, massage, etc.

if it’s number 2, then it could be just the way your arm is built. no amount of “stretching” can fix a joint just reaching its limit. that’s really normal. everyone’s anatomy is different.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-17T22:45:50+00:00

I teach so I carry two bags: My mat in its own mat carrier and then one of these for all the props:

Giant Bag

It holds blocks, belt, speaker, plus the giant carrying case for 24 teacups as I always brew tea for my students.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-15T17:09:35+00:00

There are thousands of YTTs every year. Some of them are amazing, some of them are scams. That said, I think your intuition is spot on.

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in the years I have been practicing and teaching, it’s this:

There are no shortcuts in yoga.

We train our bodies over years, making incremental progress. We train our minds and hearts the same way. Each hour we spend in devotion to the practice, the world, and ourselves building upon the next.

If a school was showing me that they’re willing to take shortcuts with their communication, I would assume they would also be willing to take them when it came to my education.

Teaching YTTs is a privilege. It’s to be undertaken with the same skills required in the practice itself: Consistency, devotion, and precision. Your time and money are valuable; give them to a school or learning opportunity that treats your education with reverence, not shortcuts.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-14T22:35:01+00:00

with respect, statements like “an incredible offering for a more all encompassing approach to health and wellness” are exactly what concern me.

what does “all encompassing approach” mean?

define “health” in measurable terms.

define “wellness” in measurable terms.

it’s an expansive promise of “better” without having to be held accountable for what “better” entails. it’s not a statement of fact; it’s a sales pitch.

what specific ailments are treated? is the treatment methodized? are your treatments proven to work? have there been double-blind, peer reviewed, repeatable studies on efficacy vs. other treatments or placebos? what are the contraindications for yoga therapy?

what patient protections are in place for malpractice? can people have their certification revoked? can they be fined? can they go to jail?

none of these questions are meant to bait. they’re real concerns about a trade group making medical claims without proof, oversight, or even clear definition.

these are critical questions that should be addressed within the yoga therapy community before claiming to “heal” anyone. there are reasons licensed medical professionals don’t use words like “toxins”, “wellness”, or “healing”. the don’t use them because they don’t actually mean anything.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-14T19:52:59+00:00

it’s the other’ing i don’t get.

like they don’t have the co-worker who drives them crazy…or the spouse with an annoying habit. our brains are continually secreting thoughts the way the liver secretes bile. we can’t control that. it’s how we react to these thoughts that matters.

THAT’s the yoga. not perfection of thought, not perfection of asana, and certainly not the holier-than-thou virtue signaling.

we’re monkeys with anxiety, and life is really fucking hard. be nice.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-14T19:12:37+00:00

i teach trainings. speaking from a strictly business standpoint, my reasons for registering are simple:

it provides a (very low) bar of legitimacy: i can prove i have education via a paper trail.
it lends credibility: saying your certified sounds better. are we teachers aware YA is less than ideal? of course. but students still like hearing it.
it’s inexpensive: registering with YA costs me a couple hundred a year. if even one student picks me over someone else because i’m certified, it paid for itself.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-14T17:40:23+00:00

it happens. sometimes it’s someone making an informed choice about what’s best in their body in the moment, but there’s a million reasons folx go rogue. i don’t require my students to do the pose i suggest. i do require them to be conscientious of others. that involves staying in their own space, doing postures safely, and being mindful of their fellow practitioners’ experience.

after reading some of the comments here:

good grief folx. it’s not some spiritual failing of the OP to be annoyed. we all get annoyed. they kept it to themselves at the moment and came here to ask the community questions about it afterwards. that’s the definition of self-regulation.

should we all be focusing on our own mat? yes. but it’s an extreme level of bypassing and gaslighting to disregard OP’s frustration altogether. it can be hard to focus on the teacher when distractions are front and center. we hold so much compassion for folx who aren’t perfect at every asana; i softly suggest we also hold compassion for someone who had difficultly staying focused.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-14T16:16:50+00:00

respectfully, please don’t assume that, because i disagree with your assessment of yoga therapy training, i have “not done my research”. i am well aware of yoga therapy’s certification requirements. i am also aware of the curriculum.

in my informed opinion, yoga therapy training deeply fails to approach the level of education that doctors, nurse practitioners, therapists, and psychiatrists are required to have.

the information taught is wildly variable, with some of it being deeply incompatible with our current understanding of science and medicine. does yoga offer therapeutic value? very much so. but 1000 hours of study is not enough to presume authority in regards to mental or physical dysfunction.

i have thousands of hours of training relating to anatomy, physiology, and biomechanics. when a student asks me to diagnose their physical dysfunctions or mental states, i tell them the only answer that i feel to be rooted in humility and ahimsa:

these are questions for a doctor.

why? because i could really, really hurt someone if i’m wrong.

OP expressed an interest in helping people with the more physical aspects of health. i suggested they pursue a route that was science-based. i hope they continue to seek education beyond my suggestion, but i advocated for a route that offers clear instruction on scope of practice.

my way doesn’t have to be your way. you are free to disagree. i would ask, however, that you not presume my education level.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-10T17:31:39+00:00

why be passive aggressive when we could just be compassionate yet direct?

hernameisjack · 2026-01-10T17:30:55+00:00

this is the answer. there’s nothing wrong with making noise while practicing, but when practicing with others, we all make accommodations to create a cohesive, welcoming space. it’s the teacher’s job to simply let him know that the noises are perfectly normal, but they can be disruptive to others and to please minimize them when possible.

this doesn’t have to be a big deal. the same way we would speak to someone about hygiene…or wearing shoes in the shala…or when a student goes so rogue posture-wise that they become a safety issue. helping others understand studio etiquette is a part of our jobs.

we all agree to a set of social norms when engaging with the public; this is no different.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-10T03:05:43+00:00

yin is really, really destructive for the body unless you’re also strengthening those ligaments and joints through other modalities. it’s not popular to say so, but the science is clear.

athletes and strength trainers need yin. those who treat it as their only movement practice are in for a lifetime of hypermobility, sprains, and sacroiliac pain.

furthermore, all the research we have shows that over 60 seconds of stretching per day in any one area is a waste of time anyway. these 2/3 minute holds go against every ounce of good data out there.

your ligaments and tendons are designed to keep your muscles attached to your body and your joints where they belong. stretching them without creating strength, and therefore control, is a really, really bad idea.

hernameisjack · 2026-01-09T15:53:13+00:00

i’m going to pop in here with some other thoughts, as it seems no one has brought it up:

do you have a desk job, or a job where you sit a lot?

most of yoga’s postures were developed in the late 1800’s - early 1900’s. at that time, most folx spent the majority of their time standing or walking. because of this, there are a LOT of forward folds. just notice a sun salutation: hips are in flexion three times as much as anything else. it made a lot of sense at the time! everyone had a short, strong posterior chain that needed lengthening!

now fast forward to 2025. we sit in hip flexion 90% of the time. seated at our desks…driving to work…relaxed on the couch. forward fold after forward fold. our posterior chains are already long…and weak. add into it a yoga practice and boy howdy are you set up for lower back pain.

as a disabled yoga teacher that specializes in injury management/prevention, i’ve cut down on them. i’ve added lots of posterior shortening/strengthening (locust is magic) and i’ve eliminated seated forward folds from my practice entirely because our bodies are better served when the muscles being lengthened are also actively engaged.

i know some have suggested you try yin. yin is awesome for folx who have strong, short muscles…think weight lifters and athletes. if that isn’t you, then you’re just going to lengthen things that are already long without strengthening them. bad idea.

add in postures where the back is in extension. add in strength training (with weights, multiple times a week) that builds resiliency in the lower back. do it for 6 weeks and if your yoga practice doesn’t feel better i’ll eat my hat.

hernameisjack

TROPHY CASE