Students Doing Annoying Things in Yoga Class
- A reflection on the subtle but significant impact of presence - or lack thereof - in the yoga classroom, and a call for greater intentionality from both students...
- The practice of yoga is frequently enough framed as what happens *on* the mat - the asanas, the pranayama, the meditation.
- It seems a sour note to play in a space dedicated to inhabiting our own bodies more mindfully and moving with intention and compassion.
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The Quiet Disruption: Mindful Entry into Yoga Space
Table of Contents
A reflection on the subtle but significant impact of presence – or lack thereof – in the yoga classroom, and a call for greater intentionality from both students and teachers.
Published: November 17, 2025
The Unspoken Practise begins Before the First Pose
The practice of yoga is frequently enough framed as what happens *on* the mat – the asanas, the pranayama, the meditation. But a quiet frustration, shared by many yoga teachers, stems from what happens *before* class even begins. It’s the seemingly small act of entering the studio space, and the often-unconscious way students occupy it. Specifically,the habit of casually dropping bags,shoes,and jackets wherever there’s space,without consideration for others or the energy of the room.
It seems a sour note to play in a space dedicated to inhabiting our own bodies more mindfully and moving with intention and compassion. In fact, it’s an outward example of doing the exact opposite. Given that *vinyasa*, in Sanskrit, means “to place with consideration,” it truly seems appropriate that we should follow that guidance as we place our feet – and our belongings. How different would it feel if every one of us moved into class, and not just throughout class, with this level of presence?
The teacher’s Dilemma: To Speak Up or Stay Silent?
Each time I witness this seemingly minor transgression, I have to remind myself that it’s probably not worth discussing with the “guilty” party or mentioning in class as the teacher. In the context of whatever else my students are managing to make it to and through class – work stress, family obligations, personal challenges – this is not a seismic enough deal to mention. It’s just a signal of the lack of awareness that will, I’m sure, continue to annoy me on the regular.
The challenge for teachers lies in balancing the desire to cultivate a mindful surroundings with the understanding that students are coming from diverse backgrounds and with varying levels of self-awareness. Directly addressing the issue risks shaming students or creating an unwelcome atmosphere. Indirect cues, like modeling mindful behavior ourselves, can be more effective, but also less immediately impactful.
However, consistently ignoring the issue can also send a message that such behavior is acceptable, subtly eroding the intention behind the practice. It’s a delicate balance, and one that requires ongoing self-reflection for the teacher.
The Power of Collective Intention
But maybe, just maybe, after reading this you will walk into your next class, take a moment to notice the space around you, and be more conscious of where you choose to place your feet – and your belongings. Perhaps you’ll consciously choose a spot that doesn’t obstruct pathways or intrude on another student’s space. Or maybe you won’t, and I’ll continue to benefit from the chance to notice, and manage, my reaction to something beyond my control.
Either way, the practice of yoga prevails. The act of noticing – whether it’s our own behavior or the behavior of others – is itself a form of mindfulness. And even if the external circumstances remain unchanged, our internal response can shift. Cultivating that internal shift is, ultimately, the heart of the practice.