I have been teaching yoga steadily for just over two years now. I've taught primarily Vinyasa based yoga in various environments. I've taught all the way from frigid gyms where my students are still figuring out the mechanics to Downward Facing Dog to all out sweat-fests where my students' Ujjayi breath is in perfect harmony. I don't love one experience more than the other. I fully appreciate every class I have taught and every student I have come into contact with. I am truly blessed to be doing what I am doing.
However, I am starting to notice a trend in my classes. I sense that my students' intention is shifting from 60 minutes of inner peace and awareness to 60 minutes of scattered focus and not-so-subtle glances at their iPhones. Yes. you read me right. I have students who check their phones and actually send messages during class. Trust me. Instructors see all. Your clever placement of your phone under your towel next to your mat is not so discrete.
photo courtesy of yoganonymous.com
Initially my gut reaction was to get angry. How dare you check out of my class to check in with your phone? But then I realize that maybe I'm the one who needs to regain my focus. My student checking his/her phone does not affect me in any way. (Now if they're disrupting another students' practice then we've got another issue completely.) Since this is now becoming a common occurrence in classes I've become accustomed to just ignoring them. If this is what you want your practice to be today then go with it. Fully commit to the intention you set for your practice today. You're going to send a text message to your best friend Sally? then make that the greatest and most insightful text message of all time!
Now you may be picturing this phone checking yogi. Probably a young woman. Maybe between the ages of 17 and 25 with her matching lululemon outfit and Yogitoe that is not the same color but a complimentary color to her Manduka mat, right? Well that is right, however, they aren't the only ones. I see a lot of middle aged men and women committing this crime as well. It seems to be an epidemic that is taking over a yoga studio near you! (And don't get me wrong here. I adore my lululemon outfits and Yogitoes that compliment my Manduka Pro-Lite!)
This is a much deeper problem than someone wasting their 60 minutes of mind-body awareness on their cell phone and potentially pissing off their instructors and/or fellow yogis. Why do people feel like they can't unplug for 60 solitary minutes? Is that phone call or text really necessary at this moment? I believe as a society most Americans are aware of our technology overload. I'm the first to admit that there is not a day that goes by where I don't check my email and Facebook, and I feel lost if my cell phone is not within 100 feet of me. I'm even guilty of checking my email within moments of stepping out of a mind bending asana practice. I too am guilty of this technology overload, but I won't let the technology interfere with my peaceful moments. As a society, I would say we're in desperate need of more uninterrupted, peaceful moments.
To my fellow yogis: Indulge in and soak up those peaceful moments you get on your yoga mats. We live in such a crazy world. We deserve those moments to clear our minds, open our hearts, and focus fully on the present moment. Even if you have no interest in practicing yoga, I'd encourage you to find moments where you can be peaceful with yourself. And no I don't mean in the time when you're sleeping. If you take your dog for a walk one morning leave your cell phone at home and take a look at what is around you. Tt's incredible what you might be missing. I understand that not everyone has 60 minutes in their lives to give to focus and clarity, but if it's only 5 or 10 minutes then fully commit to those precious moments without the chatter of our plugged in world.
"I find it refreshing to unplug from it for a while. You kind of forget how deeply you get embedded in it."
-Scientist, Will Wright
UPDATE: 7/12/12
Recent blog post about an instructor being fired for giving a judgmental look to her yoga student for checking their phone in class
http://www.elephantjournal.com/2012/07/i-was-fired-from-the-facebook-gym-for-asking-a-student-not-to-use-her-phone-during-class-alice-van-ness/
