One controversy in my part of the Bikram world is instructors touching/adjusting yoginis during postures. I know of one person who says she very much exacerbated a back injury when an instructor adjusted her during class. She now has to deal with all kinds of sucky things: making doctors appts, missing work for chiropractor and PT, and losing money because health care sucks.  Most sad of all, she doesn’t practice Bikram yoga anymore, because she doesn’t trust that when she tells an instructor her limits that those limits will be respected. Blegh.

I like to be adjusted in class, especially during floor bow when the instructor will pick me up off the floor by my hands and feet!  Feels divine, and shows me that I have the flexibility but need to work on the strength.

So, how do instructors know when it’s ok to get all up in someone’s posture and adjust? Is there talk of this at Teacher Training?

What does your instructor know about you? Probably not much, so it’s crucial to remember that you are your best advocate in and out of the hot room. Talk to your instructor before class and remind them every class. Instructors must hear about so many injuries, fears, etc that it’s just smart to remind them about your particular situation.

If all else fails and you can’t get through to the instructor, make a scene. It’s so rare that we hear other yoginis in practice, imagine, if all of sudden, “don’t fucking touch me!” penetrated your meditation. Silent applause, someone just kept their boundaries! HoTt.