You get stuck in traffic, you can’t find a parking spot, or you just plain lost track of time. This does not make you a bad person, nor does it make you a bad yogi. And just because you are running a few minutes late to class doesn’t mean that you should ditch the idea of practicing. After all, any teacher wants to encourage you to practice as much as is possible. For all of us, the practice is meant to be helpful, not yet another source of stress.
That being said, it can be disruptive when students arrive late to class, which is why some teachers can be put off. Therefore, here are a couple of ideas that can help ease your transition into a class when you are late and maximize the time when you are there: If the class has already started when you arrive, first ascertain if they are in a beginning meditation, or in peaceful silence in some way. If this is the case, please wait until after this meditation period is over the asana portion of the class begins before you enter.
No matter how quiet you think you may be, everyone can hear you, and they won’t be able to focus until you are settled.
If you accidentally enter during the meditation, please do not wander around looking for a spot and then unroll your mat, put down your bag, and organize your space. Walk in the door and immediately sit down and become as still and quiet as possible. Once there is an appropriate moment when everyone is getting up, then find an appropriate practice space.
Set up your mat (without loudly slamming it on the floor) and join the class wherever they are in the sequence. You don’t have to apologize, just find a space quickly and efficiently.
Try not to make a drama of being late. If you need to ask someone to move, just a brief “may I squeeze in here please?” and a “Thank you,” once they have moved will do. You don’t need to get into a conversation. If you are the one who needs to shift your mat, moving over for a late person is good karma and although you may feel cramped, someday someone will do it for you.
We don’t encourage students to leave a class or practice early; it’s like turning off a car without downshifting first. But if you do have to, then a little Yoga is better than none at all. Please dedicate the same level of courtesy to your exit as your entrance.
Unless there is an emergency, please do not leave in the middle of savasana or mediation. It doesn’t matter how quiet you are, it doesn’t matter if you roll your mat up slowly. Everyone can hear you, everyone knows what you are doing and it really does disturb the peace.
If you know that you must leave early, it is nice to inform the teacher before class, so they can be prepared; but this is not required if communicating with the teacher seems that it would be disruptive.
Please allow yourself time for at least a few minutes of savasana before you leave the class. Across styles and lineages, it is universally agreed that Savasana is important; if you want the benefits of your practice to soak in, you must take a few minutes.
Please don’t think that you are the exception to this and skip it. Neatly put away your props and exit the room before everyone begins to climb in to their relaxation so they are not waiting for you.
If you are able to catch the teacher’s eye and put your hands into anjali mudra and offer a small bow of gratitude, it is nice. Please do this without saying anything out loud to draw attention to yourself or even worse, apologize again before needing to leave. The permission comes from within, not from the teachers’ reassurance that “It’s okay.” The energy exchange is complete, teachers trust the students to know when something in life is important enough to need attention.
Abide by these guidelines to avoid the stress of wondering whether or not you are being rude. By maintaining respect for space, there is no need for shame. Thank your teacher and immerse yourself in your practice.
SARA IVANHOE has been teaching at Yoga Works in Santa Monica since 1995. She holds a Yoga Philosophy degree from Loyola Marymount University and has been Certified by the Green Yoga Association to teach Yoga and Ecology. Visit her website at: Yoganation.com
By Sara Ivanhoe
Photo by DAVID YOUNG-WOLFF, davidyoung-wolff.com
