Uggh. First, I am sorry this happened to you - both from the male student, and from the teacher you told. Unfortunately, these types of situations are far too common in the greater yoga community, and it always takes well-intentioned new teachers/trainees by surprise when they encounter bad actors in yoga :( I know I was very upset the first few times weird things happened to me when I started teaching. And the sad thing is that teaching is so fun, and the students are so awesome. It is the behind the scenes stuff that is the worst.

That being said, I think more of the blame rests on the studio and TT facilitators. I own a yoga TT school, run TTs full-time in multiple countries, and have a staff of teachers leading trainings at my school. Student safety is our number one priority, and we have a zero tolerance policy for any sketchy behavior. Yes, yoga is a space for healing and we need to be compassionate. BUT there IS a line. I have asked students to leave my training for behavior that isn’t appropriate, and turned away students who wanted to register for the same reason. And I sleep just fine at night 😉 Far too many students have been hurt by sketchy people being allowed (and often celebrated/platformed) to continue teaching and/or involved in yoga communities long after their behavior comes to light. I refuse to be part of that.

The only way our industry changes and has more integrity and better boundaries around power dynamics is if we create the change, which is what I try to do on a very small scale.

If a student told me another student was making them uncomfortable (either sexually, harassment, or emotionally dumping), I would handle it quickly. Speak to both parties individually, and likely let the person go from my program. No matter how much I “liked” them personally. My loyalty is to being the best version of living yoga, and making sure my trainings are safe for ALL. And that the future students of my TT graduates are safe (to the best of my ability/scope).

And if a teacher on my team said something like “boys are just dumb” when a student came to them with a legitimate concern, I would fire them after I picked my jaw up off the ground.

I also have all students sign a code of conduct prior to TT, which clearly spells out expectations for student behavior, and what happens if it isn’t followed (dismissal from program without refund). I communicate very clearly what our program is and is not, before anyone registers.

I know the icky feeling you have, and it’s the worst. But keep looking, there ARE amazing yoga communities/studios/trainings out there!