Voting With Your Feet Avoiding Abusive Teachers

by Baxter

Another View of Clear Water by Nina Zolotow

After Nina posted yesterday about abusive yoga teachers (see When to Fire Your Yoga Teacher), we received a follow-up message from another reader who had a similar experience of being humiliated when she attended the workshop of a visiting teacher to her community. In her case, she voted with her feet and did not attend a follow-up visit by the same teacher this year, but instead chose to study with a local teacher, and loved her experience. 

In discussing the humiliating teacher’s behavior with her regular teacher, the student was told, “That’s how they do it in India.” Well, this may indeed be true, but does it make this kind of behavior acceptable? In my own experience of studying with many teachers over the past 19 years at workshops and conferences and retreats, I have come across my fair share of angry, condescending, overtly or subtly demeaning behavior by teachers from at least two different traditions. In fact, I  studied with a well-regarded teacher a few times before a more subtle way of demeaning students on a fairly regular basis made me decide to give up the class despite some "good" asana instructions I was learning.  I could not justify continuing to support that kind of treatment of me or my fellow students.

 I also heard stories about a teacher I came to respect about how he had been a bear to study with when he was younger and how he had mellowed out as he aged. I felt blessed to have missed his “abusive” period since I learned so much and witnessed compassionate behavior from him regularly. I did carry a background concern about whether the other side might re-surface at some point; fortunately, I never had to encounter that situation from this particular teacher.

I do feel that teachers who study in a “lineage” that permits or even subtly approves of this bullying, degrading treatment of students tend to be more likely to participate in such behavior and maybe are even drawn to it. I don’t want to get into some deep exploration of trauma and its long-term effects, as it is a complex topic and I am not an expert in it. But, as Nina pointed out yesterday, you can vote with your feet, and I myself have done so more than once over the years. And that old observation that a happy customer tells one person about their experience, but a dissatisfied one will tell ten certainly has played out for me. I am asked all the time for referrals to other teachers or recommendations for teachers to study with at conferences. If a student happens to ask about a teacher I have had a bad experience with, I will recommend someone else instead.  I do not always go into the why of it, but do on occasion share my specific experience if I know that my personal experience was also confirmed by other yoga friends of mine. The good news is that we have more and more choices all around the country—and even internationally—when it comes to yoga instructors. So, don’t settle for anything less than a good instructor who is also respectful and kind.  

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Learn How A Findlay Podiatrist Can Help Your Feet With Orthotics To Provide Arch Support

By Jeferson Tuyor

Painful feet can be a real nightmare, especially if you have to stand or walk around for any length of time. A possible answer to the problem is to visit a Findlay foot surgery professional for help. You might then discover that all that is required is a good orthotic, designed to provide sufficient support to the arch of your feet.

A foot is very intricate with numerous small bones, muscles and tendons that need to work together. It is actually amazing that people do not experience problems with their feet more often, considered their complicated functioning. You need a podiatrist with a lot of experience to identify the cause and suggest a solution.

Surgery always entails certain risks, and this is especially so with such a complex structure. If orthoses can provide relief from the discomfort, there is no reason to take any risks unnecessarily. A simple, safe, natural, solution should be preferred to a more risky, complex, invasive, one.

You should accordingly prefer a podiatrist with considerable experience of making custom orthotics for a variety of different problems. While this will not be a permanent solution, your feet should in any event be checked regularly and the orthotic design adapted to any changes. This alternative to surgery is also surprisingly affordable.

It is amazing how good support in the right areas relieves painful feet. While there are off-the-shelf orthotics available, they are seldom as effective as those customized for your particular requirements. Do not settle for an inferior solution: you can easily feel the difference for yourself.

An experienced Findlay foot surgery professional will be able to design and make orthotics which will provide substantial relief from any pain. You should soon be able to stand for extensive periods without serious discomfort. An initial consultation will allow your chosen healthcare professional to determine the best route in your situation.

About the Author:

Find a summary of the advantages you get when you undergo Findlay foot surgery and more information about an experienced podiatrist at http://www.vailfoot.com now.