Yogis: The People of Yoga

Last week, I encouraged friends and other interested readers of this blog to try out yoga. Who knows if anyone actually took my advice, but I know I stepped up my trips to the gym since then. This week, after going to four classes, I decided I would spend a little more time focusing on the people of yoga. Because there are definitely different types of yogis and they are worth mentioning.

The stereotypical person who goes to yoga is probably a female in her twenties or thirties and is probably either doing it to get in better shape or because they appreciate the mental relaxation that often comes with yoga. But the thing is, while this person exists in large numbers, there are so many other different types of people who go to yoga.

One of the first things I noticed when I went to my first yoga class is that there were people from all walks of life. I expected to be an aged lump of goo compared to those who were in the class. And while I was an aged lump of goo compared to everyone else, it turned out that there were people bigger than me and older than me and, on rare occasions, people less agile than me.

I occasionally go to a class on Friday mornings that is mostly made up of women in their fifties and sixties. However, there is at least one woman I would swear is either in her eighties or pushing it. But she is somewhat able to keep up and the other ladies in that class are able to do things I couldn’t imagine doing. I mean, I may be a lot of things but I am not what someone would describe as “bendy.”

What I have noticed is that there are some unique types who go to these yoga classes. One that stood out to me is the guy who wore his tennis shoes throughout the class. That squeaking noise we heard for an hour? Yeah, that was him. Just some advice for those just getting started with yoga – you can get by going barefoot, or wearing socks or even those weird-looking foot-forming socks that some people are wearing sometimes. But shoes are distracting and annoying. Don’t do it.

Another person who stood out is the guy who showed up 15 minutes late to a full yoga class and still inserted himself into the middle of the class. Then, to add to the annoyance, he spent the remaining 45 minutes doing everything he could to draw the attention to himself. Excessive groaning, delaying his movements in a way that was distracting and interrupted the flow, talking to himself out loud, and looking around to see who was paying attention to him. Don’t be that guy. If you need attention, get a job that puts the focus on you. The rest of us go to yoga classes to avoid people like this guy.

I don’t just want to pick on the guys. There seems to be a large number of females who go to these yoga classes in need of some attention as well. I typically try to show up early so I can pick my spot, which means I sometimes get stuck in meaningless conversations with relative strangers who apparently need the social aspect of the class to feel the benefits of the yoga class. As someone who enjoys social conversations, I am open to talking to anyone who wants to talk. But it isn’t necessary and there are a large number of people in these classes who seem to feel this need. You’ve been warned.

Couples are another group I’ve started to notice coming in more and more, which I actually think is cool. At one time in my life, I actually went as the male portion of a couples’ trip to the yoga class. My guess is it is usually the female who initiates the conversation of the two going together, but it is still a great way to grow that relationship. Maybe. But it is still cool.

Another type that has stood out to me is the overly emotional person, who becomes so overwhelmed with the mental “benefits” of the class that he or she actually cries during the class. This person is rare –  kind of like a double rainbow, I guess – but when it happens, it can freak you out. It seems so out of place. On a positive note, at least you’ll know this is a person you should avoid talking to in the future.

Previously, I mentioned the guy who came 15 minutes late, which is a big “no no” when it comes to yoga. We don’t like distractions. So, those people who are only able to fit in 30-40 minutes of the class into their uniquely busy schedules? Do it at home. Or somewhere other than an actual class. These yoga classes are 50-60 minutes long and the last thing I want to hear while I am trying to relax my mind is the stampeding of your feet as you gather your belongings so you can head to your next destination. It is rude and you shouldn’t do it.

 
As I said before, there are all types who go to the yoga classes. Hippies, yuppies, conservatives, liberals, young, old, fat, skinny. But yoga is built around relaxation and most of us who go want it to stay that way. Just so you know!