From the article: Embarrassing Yoga Questions
We've all been there when gas is passed or unfortunate body odor rears its ugly head. Here's your chance to share your embarrassing tale and how you handled the situation. Readers Respond
I sweat like crazy *blush*
- I take a shower before every yoga class, literally 30 minutes before. But during a power yoga class, I just sweat like crazy. I can't help it! And no amount of deodorant seems to prevent drenching my clothes. Sometimes, I'm just totally sweaty and don't smell. but on the days I do, oh, it's SO embarrassing. I can smell myself! I hate that. I try to keep a sweater or shirt to put on right after class, to cover the scent afterwards, but there isn't much I can do during class.
- —Guest Anne
Empty stomach? Well... it is now!
- I knew you were supposed to do yoga on an empty stomach, but I didn't realize why that was until one day when a lunch meeting got pushed back and I decided to go to afternoon yoga anyway. After all, I'd only had a salad... shouldn't be a problem, right? About 15 minutes in, I began to feel uncontrollably nauseous. I ran out of class (where I was positioned at the back, as always, so I caused double the ruckus) and made it as far as a garbage can in the hall, just in time to quite literally lose my lunch. AWKWARD! Turns out there really isn't room in the old tummy for even a few leaves of lettuce when you're trying to get into deep twists and bends. EAT AFTER CLASS!
- —Guest Megan
Tearing My Shorts During Class
- My first yoga class, I happily went in a pair of cotton shorts. They were cute, but didn't have much give to them. The whole class stretched forward into the clam pose, and there was a loud R-R-R-RIP! My shorts had completely split down the seam. I shot up quickly out of shock and embarrassment. I should have stayed stretched down though, since I now was the only one in class sitting straight up and everyone could see my red face in the mirrors placed all over the room. I've always paid particular attention to my yoga attire since.
- —Guest A.P.
clumsy dolphin
- I was in the middle of the dolphin asana when my foot began sliding away. I could not stop laughing, even though it hurt like heck (slipping away when the top of your head rests on the floor; not a good plan)
- —Guest Sylvia
A Little Nipple Action
- That's it. No biggie. I was teaching and I guess my spaghetti strap top shifted in movement and out popped my right nipple while all eyes were on me. I just shoved 'er right back in and smiled with a little "woopsie, get back in there... not the right time," and we just snickered and continued on. Students dig when we're not "perfect." It humanizes us and helps us keep it real. The class became much more lighthearted from the moment the nipple popped out and beyond. :)
- —Guest Kris
months to learn pose
- It took several months for me to do a tripod and wheel and I feel silly when new people come and get it in the first class.
- —azuzu
embarassing things in class
- I've farted in class. I used to laugh but now I just keep going with the flow. I also sweat but that's what my body does. I don't have odor, so I guess that's good, but we are all different, no? I try to keep a light attitude, while attending a class, or while teaching. There are times when laughter is completely appropriate.
- —Guest Pam
fall and get right back up.
- Ok- gentle yoga class. We were doing a move where we had to get on our hands and knees and extend the right arm and left leg and then do the opposite and I fell over because I lost my balance. But only the teacher and one other student saw and we laughed it off.
- —Guest Michelle
ankle uncle
- I never stop laughing when I think about my first teaching class at yoga farm ashram in Grass Valley, C.A. I was very nervous for my broken English, instead of saying "hold onto your ankles" for the bow pose, I pronounced "now hold onto your uncles" (I even did not recognize it was wrong pronunciation) then I heard a sweet voice from my right side said "oh my uncle is far from here"... people laughed, I laughed. Oh that guy is my good friend..:)
- —Guest Theresa Nguyen
Spanish Yoga
- I went to a yoga class in Madrid, thought I would practice my Spanish and yoga. It all went really well but at one point the teacher must have said to roll onto our right sides and I rolled left, so when I opened my eyes I was facing everyone else and they all laughed - I did too, though.
- —e_hanna
Almost Cried!
- I went to a class once where the teacher was correcting me so constantly and in such a way that I felt scrutinized rather than helped. (There were no mirrors, either!) I almost cried in that class, which was really embarrassing!
- —Elizabeth369
Argh!
- I'm just embarrassed by my weight. I try to go to the back of the room and invariably we all turn around so that I feel like people are looking at me! Someone actually came up to me after class and said "You're pretty flexible for a fat chick." Ouch.
- —Guest NikkiT
Postpartum yoga class
- Postpartum yoga class. The gas could power a small town!!! At least I wasn't alone in my emissions!! ;-)
- —Guest Mary
