Home » Discussion Forum » Archive » Iyengar Yoga » Yoga Injury
 

You are reading a post in the archive of the Iyengar Yoga Resources Discussion Forum.

For the current forum, please visit

http://www.iyengar-yoga.com/forum/

Yoga Injury

 
 

Anonymous
Novice

Apr 2, 2001, 4:22 AM

Post #1 of 4 (115 views)
Yoga Injury Can't Post
I was injured at a yoga class by an "advanced" teacher who denied injuring me and when we talked about it, he shouted at me and never even asked how I was. I am not one to take legal action, but I think it is important in the Iyengar community that "advanced" teachers not be able to delude their students and speak the truth and own if they have caused an injury and made a mistake. Since this happened to me, I have found out that others were also injured by the same teacher, but are and were afraid to speak out. I have doctor bills, could not go to work for one week, x-rays,and still am trying to heal from this ordeal. I would appreciate feedback, or a forum where others in the Iyengar movement can truthfully speak out without fear. I am new to yoga (Since May, 2000) and this incident has really gotten in the way of continuing with IYENGAR yoga. It was my experience, in this class, that there was aggressiveness and abusiveness, and I have since learned that many people have stopped Iyengar yoga because of this. I have recognized that the Iyengar method of yoga is very important for a beginner in the alignment,props,etc. I feel very saddened that my experience was so inhumane and harsh. I thought yoga was integrative and I feel disintegrated. Thank you.

Angus
User

Apr 16, 2001, 10:26 AM

Post #2 of 4 (114 views)
Re: Yoga Injury [In reply to] Can't Post
It does seem a shame that you have had such a negative experience. If, as I suspect,you are in the US, you might want to take your complaint to the US teachers association. All members of the association should be insured (at least they are in the UK) for injuries that occur in the class.

I had a bad injury once in a class (tore one of my hamstrings). I'm not sure whose fault it was - mine for not listening to my body, or the teacher for not seeing that I was going beyond what was safe for me at that time. Who knows?

Looking back on it now, I think 'fault' was the wrong way to look at it. I think I learnt quite a bit from the injury - mainly about myself and a lot about the limits of my body.
Hope you get better soon and find a new teacher with whom you can establish a trusting relationship.

erin
Enthusiast

Apr 22, 2001, 4:57 PM

Post #3 of 4 (113 views)
Re: Yoga Injury [In reply to] Can't Post
When you say that the teacher "injured you" do you mean that they physically put their hands on you and caused you bodily harm? This is a very serious charge that you are making. It is hard for me to advise you without knowing more about the circumstances under which you arrived at this injury. I will say this: It has been my experience that Iyengar teachers are generally very dynamic, passionate, strict and demanding. Personally, I appreciate instructors that have a harder edge and are less approachable because they require more of me. This manner forces me to find strength within myself and to depend on or strive to increase my own knowledge about my body instead of relying on them. It is sort of like a "tough love" thing. I believe that many Iyengar teachers, perhaps Mr. Iyengar himself, are misunderstood to be uncaring or egotistical, and I just don't think they would have chosen to dedicate their lives to teaching yoga if that were truly the case. I see them as caring so much about their students that they will not tolerate them doing anything but their very best effort. Your best effort does not include not listening to your own body or to them. Beginning students find this out the hard way when they study with an "advanced" teacher and humiliation or injury quickly teaches them that they MUST comply with what is expected of them. Just like in life, if you are not fully paying attention you will risk your own well being.

It is very unfortunate that you had this injury so early on in your investment in yoga. It takes a while to learn to listen to your body and become aware of your limits. I hope that you may find the good that has come from your unpleasant experience and I hope that it will make you stronger. Every yoga injury or obstacle that I have experienced has taught me so much about myself that I no longer look at them in a negative light.

Snow Leopard
User

Jun 30, 2001, 8:15 PM

Post #4 of 4 (112 views)
Re: Yoga Injury [In reply to] Can't Post
I truly hope you have not allowed this one incident to keep you from yoga. That would be the greatest injury to you. Injuries happen. Sometimes they happen in classes and sometimes they happen at home in personal practice. They do teach us to have greater awareness and to honor what our Innermost Being is saying to us. I was once pushed hard and tore a hamstring. I hurt my back misinterpreting an instruction given by Mr. Iyengar. Both these injuries took a very, very long time to completely heal, but what wonderful opportunity to learn how not to let it happen to my students. Everything has a purpose on the planet and hopefully we all learn from those things that appear to "set us back". Healing often takes longer when one is unable to "let go"(mentally and emotionally)what has happened. Try using castor oil in the injured area; it often accelerates the physical healing. Best to you. If your ego will let you,return to class and allow that teacher to assist your healing process.

 
 
 


Copyright © 2002 by Iyengar Yoga Resources