Hello fellow yogis and yoginis, I am Yana Petrov, a Russian-born yoga teacher living in the land of the free, the USA. I am here to share my unapologetic approach to teaching yoga and how I have been able to push my students beyond their limits.
I have been in the yoga industry for over a decade and have witnessed the rise of wokeness creeping into our practice. During my early years of teaching, I noticed a shift in the attitudes of my students. Suddenly, corrections and adjustments were met with resistance and accusations of violating personal space. I was shocked to see my fellow teachers backing down and avoiding physical adjustments altogether.
But not me. I refuse to conform to the modern-day notion of wokeness. I believe that as a teacher, it is my duty to physically correct and guide my students to achieve the perfect form and posture. How else can we progress if we reject the very essence of the practice?
I have also been criticized for my unconventional methods, one of which involves kicking male students in the balls to correct their form. I know it may sound extreme, but let me tell you, it works! The pain serves as a reminder to engage their core and activate their muscles, thereby achieving the desired posture faster. Plus, it’s a great way to snap them out of any distractions and excuses they may have.
I have seen a significant difference in the progress of my students who have embraced my approach. They are able to perform challenging asanas with ease and grace, and their understanding of the mind-body connection has deepened.
So to all the woke yoga students out there, let me tell you this – if you refuse physical corrections, you are stagnant and will never be able to master even a simple tripod headstand. It’s time to let go of your ego and embrace the teachings of a dedicated and experienced teacher like myself.
