Stan, who has kind of become our mascot because he is normally so happy and smiley, definitely went into the fight AND flight mode this morning. After 95 minutes, he just picked up his mat and started to walk out, yelling and screaming about how class should be 90 minutes. A few of the male support staff tried to stop him and get him to sit or stay in the studio, but Stan just went crazy. He was finally allowed to leave and was so worked up.
Mark, one of the most zen-like guys here said later that guys often choose anger instead of vulnerability or other "non-male" type of feelings. Perhaps that's what happened to Stan. I know that I have wept in that room when various emotions emerged, and perhaps a similar event was the catalyst for Stan's blow up.
I'm guessing that he'll be able to stay in the program, but he'll be doing more than an extra 5 minutes of yoga this weekend --- I'm guessing he'll have to do 2 full makeup classes!
Love to all.
UPDATE 7:17PM:
Stan is gone!!! He talked with Bikram this afternoon and Stan argued that classes were supposed to be 90 minutes. Bikram said that that's true in the studio, but in teacher training, it can be up to 3 hours, depending on the desire of the instructor! Stan said ok, but then somehow he ended up dissing Emmy and then it got into women in general and Stan's misogynism came out loud and clear, so Bikram said he had to go.
See, that's the weird thing about Bikram, he says a lot of stuff about women that can really piss you off, but then he basically fires a guy for speaking unwell of women.
And to the fellow who commented on this post, yes, if you are late to class or a lecture, you have to do a makeup class over the weekend. Avoid this at all costs. By Saturday afternoon only the insane want to do more yoga.
3 comments:
Make-up classes? Is that punishment for bad behavior? It's the first I've heard about anything like that.
Thanks for the clarification. I'm really enjoying your blog.
Bikram may be crude, but everything I've heard and read shows that his heart is ultimately in the right place. From your account, it sounds like Stan got what he asked for (whether he knew it or not).
I never had to do one, but I was told by those who did that Sunday was the better option for doing the make-up. Some would do the second on Saturday, which was an hour after the regular morning practice. You just had to find one that worked for you.
My choice - never to be late!
Todd (Spring TT'08)
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