Shit Yoga Instructors Say

Some two decades ago, after struggling with recurrent lower back pain, I reluctantly returned to a yoga studio. Within a few weeks of regular practice, I noticed significant relief from the pain. This experience marked the start of my journey as a frequent yoga practitioner.

Over time, I’ve become a “true believer” in yoga’s ability to alleviate muscle pain and enhance flexibility.

My Yoga Journey

Motivated by convenience, curiosity, and a desire to keep things interesting, I began exploring yoga classes with different instructors, studios, and styles. Each studio offered a distinct atmosphere, every teacher provided a unique perspective, and each style brought its own approach to the practice.

When the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted in-person classes, my wife and I turned to YouTube, and started experimenting with various online yoga videos. Eventually, we found an online instructor whose approach resonated with us, and their virtual sessions became a mainstay of our practice.

Travel has also played a significant role in shaping my yoga journey. Whether for work or pleasure, I’ve had the chance to practice in studios in different cities and countries.

These experiences have deepened my understanding and appreciation for the variety of different types of yoga, instructors, and how it is practiced and taught elsewhere.

What I’ve discovered about yoga

Although it took me a while to properly do the numerous poses, and to get a sense which joints and muscles they were helping, I’ve never felt completely comfortable with some of things yoga instructors do and say.

In short, I pretty much like a no nonsense yoga class.

For me it’s hold off on the frills and let’s get to the exercise as quick as possible.

Driven to Distraction

Although I respect yoga’s spiritual roots and understand that certain elements resonate deeply with many students and instructors, I often find aspects of modern yoga classes more distracting than grounding.

Maybe it’s my (self-diagnosed) attention deficit disorder, but some practices and words of guidance from instructors intended to enhance the experience instead pull my focus away from the work itself.

For example, I struggle with instructors who dedicate excessive time to chanting or meditation. Likewise, the use of bells, drums, singing bowls, or overly loud Indian music often feels more disruptive than calming.

However, what truly drives me to distraction are some of the clichéd or illogical statements that some yoga instructors make. It’s not just that their phrasing can be unclear—it’s that these comments sometimes lack logical consistency or even contradict the findings from established empirical research.

The Challenge of Yoga-Speak

Some examples of questionable statements I’ve heard from yoga instructors include:

• Claims about the effects of specific exercises, such as “This exercise is good for your limbic system” or “This stretch will really help with your digestion.”
• Anatomically impossible instructions, like “Breathe into your left hip.”
• Overused or cliché phrases, such as “Find your inner warrior” or “Connect with your inner child.”
• Counterproductive advice aimed at improving poses, like “Don’t compare yourself to others.”
• Appeals to nature, such as “Imagine roots growing from your feet into the earth.”
• Pseudo-therapeutic comments, like “Let go of what no longer serves you” or “Be careful, this pose can be emotionally triggering.”
• Spiritual reminders, such as “Your body is your temple.”
• Simplistic advice, like “Relax your brain,” which can feel more distracting than helpful, especially when my mind is preoccupied with a growing e-mail backlog.

Why Might Yoga Instructors Say These Things?

The use of questionable statements and clichés that many yoga instructors use might be due to the way yoga is taught and commodified, with training programs emphasizing formulaic language designed to appeal to a wide audience.

A significant factor behind this trend may be the training process itself. Prospective instructors often complete 200, 300, or even 500 hours of training, with curricula typically covering poses, anatomy, and philosophy, among other aspects. Accrediting bodies like the Yoga Alliance set standards for these programs, but the reliance on stock phrases likely originates in the training environment.

Cultural adaptation—or even appropriation—may also play a role. Traditional concepts (rooted in the philosophical traditions of Hinduism and Buddhism) are often simplified or stripped of their original context to suit modern audiences. While instructors may genuinely believe in what they say, they might also feel pressured to meet student expectations, offering statements that sound profound but lack depth or authenticity.

Finally, these comments may simply be attempts to fill up (auditory) space rather than providing thoughtful guidance.

Ultimately, the previously mentioned statements may undermine the integrity of yoga as a healing art, especially for people seeking relief from pain or wanting improved flexibility.

Finding a Practice that Works for Me

A few years ago, while waiting in line to enter a restaurant, I met a man about my age who was experiencing significant back pain, that looked similar to what I had  in the past.

I shared with him how yoga had helped me relieve my discomfort. He mentioned that he had tried yoga too but was turned off by the spiritual elements and cliche statements often made by instructors.

I explained that, while I too find that aspect challenging, I’ve learned to block it out in order to fully benefit from the practice. It made me wonder—how many others feel the same way?

Finding a practice free from the kinds of distractions I mentioned is difficult, if not nearly impossible. Tuning out the “noise” isn’t always easy. Still, in nearly every yoga session where I encounter this kind of talk, I find myself in a mental tug-of-war to ignore it. Some days it’s easier than others, but it’s a necessary effort if I’m to experience the full health benefits of yoga.

Photo Credit:

International Day of Yoga in New Delhi, 2016

Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (GODL-India)