This is so interesting, Courtenay, and something I'm yet to come across in my classes. For me, it would be a hard no (although, as a recovering people-pleaser, I'd find it hard to say no to them!). I teach in a studio with mirrors, and deliberately teach the class facing away from the mirrors. I'm there to guide and cue my students, it's my role to ensure they're being safe in their practice. So with that in mind, I don't see the need for them. In my personal opinion, it encourages the ego to creep in, and I set my classes up to encourage my students to leave their ego at the door. To not worry what they look like, to not be concerned with the person next to them. To embrace the wobbles and the lack of 'perfection'. To encourage them to get out of their heads and into their body. In my eyes, there's no such thing as a perfect pose, and yoga for me is the embodiment of a pose, so filming feels a bit pointless. Like you say, it would really bring everyone out of the present, and for me, that is one of the reasons people come to an in-person class, to be grounded in the present. x
I see a big rise across society in ‘hyperindividualisation’ where people are less and less willing to compromise on what they see as their right- we are becoming less respectful of other people’s boundaries and rights if they clash with what we want to do. I think this is part of that- no malice, but the request itself puts the other person on the spot and potentially into an uncomfortable position, whereas thinking it through in advance would tell you that in the first place. I don’t think I would want anyone filming in my classes- apart from those who don’t want to be on camera, what about unexpected events like a fall or illness, could you rely on the filming person not to share that? Too many ifs and buts for me, I think.
As a student of 2 years or so, I have been filmed by one teacher who works solo( this is mentioned in T+C's when booking ). The videos are posted of a few seconds of a class on FB / IG and their purpose seems to be to share a little of the class with others. They are discreet and it would be difficult to identify any individual. I am never aware of being filmed.
I am fine with this level of exposure and it is interesting to see yourself in a pose from distance.
I think trust in the teacher's discretion makes this ok. But only at this low exposure level.
As for students filming close up for a whole hour. I have not seen this. I do 4 classes per week, three in the same studio.
I hope that this issue wont arise, as for all the reasons you explore, it must distract from the focus and intention of the practise that I gain so much from, mentally, spiritually and physically.
The studio is a beautiful sanctuary of peace and calm positively. I feel quite distressed to think of a disturbance to any of the class from filming by a fellow student.
For this reason and the others above, I think studios can take control be choosing to allow or not allow student filming as part of their marketing .
My feeling is that protecting the safe space that we benefit from as students is worth more than any potential benefit student filming may bring.
Thanks again for your posts. I learnt a lot from them.
Appreciate the exploration on the topic and getting the chance to think it through before it happens in my class. Valuing the internal over the external and community over individual, also recognizing as the instructor—I’m in the position to guide—I think I’ll hold that line. It’s a no for me. Thanks again for the food for thought.
I’ve taught/attended yoga in NYC for the last 7 years and have definitely seen this—I would wager to guess people do it less to look at personal technique and make adjustments and more to share on socials. It doesn’t personally bother me—I hold the viewpoint that even if someone is initially there to film and showcase they went to a yoga class on Insta, maybe it will be their “gateway” into becoming a yogi later on😅🙏❤️We never know the paths people navigate!
This is so interesting, Courtenay, and something I'm yet to come across in my classes. For me, it would be a hard no (although, as a recovering people-pleaser, I'd find it hard to say no to them!). I teach in a studio with mirrors, and deliberately teach the class facing away from the mirrors. I'm there to guide and cue my students, it's my role to ensure they're being safe in their practice. So with that in mind, I don't see the need for them. In my personal opinion, it encourages the ego to creep in, and I set my classes up to encourage my students to leave their ego at the door. To not worry what they look like, to not be concerned with the person next to them. To embrace the wobbles and the lack of 'perfection'. To encourage them to get out of their heads and into their body. In my eyes, there's no such thing as a perfect pose, and yoga for me is the embodiment of a pose, so filming feels a bit pointless. Like you say, it would really bring everyone out of the present, and for me, that is one of the reasons people come to an in-person class, to be grounded in the present. x
I see a big rise across society in ‘hyperindividualisation’ where people are less and less willing to compromise on what they see as their right- we are becoming less respectful of other people’s boundaries and rights if they clash with what we want to do. I think this is part of that- no malice, but the request itself puts the other person on the spot and potentially into an uncomfortable position, whereas thinking it through in advance would tell you that in the first place. I don’t think I would want anyone filming in my classes- apart from those who don’t want to be on camera, what about unexpected events like a fall or illness, could you rely on the filming person not to share that? Too many ifs and buts for me, I think.
Thanks for the intriguing post...
As a student of 2 years or so, I have been filmed by one teacher who works solo( this is mentioned in T+C's when booking ). The videos are posted of a few seconds of a class on FB / IG and their purpose seems to be to share a little of the class with others. They are discreet and it would be difficult to identify any individual. I am never aware of being filmed.
I am fine with this level of exposure and it is interesting to see yourself in a pose from distance.
I think trust in the teacher's discretion makes this ok. But only at this low exposure level.
As for students filming close up for a whole hour. I have not seen this. I do 4 classes per week, three in the same studio.
I hope that this issue wont arise, as for all the reasons you explore, it must distract from the focus and intention of the practise that I gain so much from, mentally, spiritually and physically.
The studio is a beautiful sanctuary of peace and calm positively. I feel quite distressed to think of a disturbance to any of the class from filming by a fellow student.
For this reason and the others above, I think studios can take control be choosing to allow or not allow student filming as part of their marketing .
My feeling is that protecting the safe space that we benefit from as students is worth more than any potential benefit student filming may bring.
Thanks again for your posts. I learnt a lot from them.
🧘
Appreciate the exploration on the topic and getting the chance to think it through before it happens in my class. Valuing the internal over the external and community over individual, also recognizing as the instructor—I’m in the position to guide—I think I’ll hold that line. It’s a no for me. Thanks again for the food for thought.
I’ve taught/attended yoga in NYC for the last 7 years and have definitely seen this—I would wager to guess people do it less to look at personal technique and make adjustments and more to share on socials. It doesn’t personally bother me—I hold the viewpoint that even if someone is initially there to film and showcase they went to a yoga class on Insta, maybe it will be their “gateway” into becoming a yogi later on😅🙏❤️We never know the paths people navigate!