As a yoga teacher, there are many ways I receive feedback. Sometimes students thank my directly, face to face, and tell me the impact the class had on them. Some students write reviews online. On my bad days, when I feel down, I love reading the reviews. It reminds me of my impact and boosts my spirits.
But there are two other forms of feedback that are really the highest compliments that a student can offer me about a class, although they don’t involve any statements from my students.
Unlike the reviews, I can’t hold onto these forever. They are ephemeral, but no less impactful.
The two highest forms of compliments a student can give me about my class are:
- falling asleep during class
- crying during class
On the surface, this might seem odd.
If you’re a public speaker or a teacher in another realm, someone falling asleep during your presentation is usually an insult. And tears are often a sign of distress.
Here’s why they’re the highest compliment for me as a yoga teacher:
They are signs that I have created a safe space.
Falling Asleep
Our nervous system won’t let us fall asleep just anywhere. When someone falls asleep during a yin or restorative class, it’s a sign that their nervous system reached a parasympathetic state. In that state, they feel the safety to let their guard down to rest.
Crying
Similar to falling asleep, crying is something we only do when we feel we’re in a supportive and safe environment. Yoga can often bring up big emotions for people. When a student cries during class, it tells me that I’ve created a safe space for them to be with their emotions.
When I have a student start crying during class, or who doesn’t move because she’s fallen asleep, I’ll often be excited about it. Not because I want my students to be in pain, but because it means I’ve succeeded at the core function of my role as a teacher: to create a place of safety where everyone can thrive.
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