Hot Yoga Topics > Teacher Wisdom
Speaking from experiences while teaching other fitness classes - not hot yoga - it is a very stressful situation, however, as a teacher you tune into the students in the class and look for signs of a possible problem and hopefully catch it before it turns into a 911 call. It is as much the responsibility of the teacher to make sure the critical student is taken care of as well as bringing the class back to "normal" so the class continues on. In the cases I have been involved in - follow up with the student is the key. I have also been a student in a class where the class could not continue and the teacher had to make an on the spot judgment decision.
JuneS
This happens less often than you think in hot yoga, but first responsibility is to the student in distress. Calling 911 is appropriate. The first and only time we had a student faint in class momentarily, we called 911, took him into the reception room (he was conscious) where he told us he had low blood pressure. I stayed talking with him while the class continued and long after the paramedics left (he was embarrassed more than anything else - he was there on a first date!). The teacher knew he was fine so class went on. I followed up on email and he expressed gratitude for not only taking care of him, but keeping the class going so he could feel "normal" immediately.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
Thanks June & Rhonda. Follow up- I have been following my feeling and have not been able to go back to the studio with the emergency situation. It is incredible the impact it still has on me. Packed my bag to head there after work Tuesday night, even have classes already paid for, but instead drove to the further after work 8PM in Maple Shade. Conclusion- how the teacher handles the situation definitely has a strong affect on the entire class!
AmyA
Along these same lines, I was in a class today where a brand new student--first day--started crying and begging to leave the room--something was going on with her hip, like it had popped out or something when she came out of a pose.
What should we do if a student hurts herself/himself in class? And what should we do if a new student is crying and begging to leave?
Mary-Rush
Crying is often a welcome release for students; particularly poignant because your yoga class has given them the place for this much needed release. Anyone begging to leave should be allowed to leave, with great compassion; send a teacher in class or trusted longtime student along with the student. Send them into the changing room first; if you can convince them to relax in there til class is done, thats best. Offer them the Migun Table for a warm massage. Do all you can avoid having people drive away distraught.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
The paradoxes of the hot yoga teacher:
Teaching Hot yoga means thoroughly understanding the nuances of the poses.
Teaching Hot yoga means seeing beyond the appearance of a student's poses.
Teaching is correcting and adjusting the physical of Hot yoga
Teaching means guiding your students to a place where they surpass their bodies and enter a meditative state
As a hot yoga teacher, You are the Master Guide. But you must also remember that you are still always a beginner, always s Student, open to new experiences.
Rhonda Uretzky, E-RYT
Teachers learning experiences and wisdom?
During a hot 26 class in West Deptford this week a girl next to me collapsed, appearing to have a seizure- 911 called… We then continued class. I was shaken and could not stop my focus on what had happened despite efforts. I was concerned- for the girl & that we should NOT be continuing class. I started thinking about how this could be a good learning experience for what I would do if I had been the teacher. What is appropriate procedure?
What other unexpected encounters that have occurred in your classes?