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I don't know what's happened at my studio, but recently they seem to be attracting or letting in more people than ever before. So when we've started, people are still allowed in, its really disrupting. You can't stretch your arms out to the side without hitting a sweaty person next to you, people stand on your mat. I mean surely there is a limit point where the teacher says enough!

Sorry to be a bit anal, but is it not a fire safety hasard? The last 2 classes I attended had over 35+ people and that's far too many for the room. Is it wrong of me to want the door to be closed and stay closed once the class has started, or am I being too precious about this?

Classes aren't cheap and I sort of think that there should be some standards here...am I alone in this??

no Sally, for my money (and yes, it is a lot of money), i am with you all the way. the teachers often lightheartedly acknowledge this cattle-market crowding (about 80 people here) as some sort of plus; it proves we belong to one of the fastest-growing cults, it helps us (in uk) get over our Britishness by touching other people, etc. the venues here are extremely pokey little places. getting showered and out is more hectic than my schooldays. where are all the mega-profits going?

i like to get to a class early and get centred and grounded. at a recent class, we spent the first 7+ minutes of class time being reluctantly shoved along in inches to pack the place to maximum. then we started. at 23 minutes past, we were being asked to shove up some more to squeeze in a few late-comers. I mentioned my disatisfaction afterwards at the busy reception area and the bemused, shrugging reaction seemed to suggest i was not being at all yogic and flexible-like. as i turned away, a few other patrons who had clearly been listening in, quickly darted their eyes to the floor to avoid eye-contact. i guess i have a lot to learn about being a true yogi.

Thank you!!! It's nice to have some support here, I guess I'm not a true yogi then either.

It's not just in Bikram, it can happen where I go too (doing hatha). The thing about my school is that there isn't a lock on the door so people who come in late can just walk in and the teacher doesn't discourage them. When someone asked her she said that if people make the effort to come, then they obviously need it and she wouldn't turn them away.

Personally I think it's really rude. If I was running 10 mins late I wouldn't dream of turning up anyway. It's a lack of respect and very self centered.

I know the crowded conditions suck

but think about the people who are there... they all want and need to be there.... who would you want to exclude?

it doesn't happen that often probably... only during a time when lots of people need their yoga...

when it happens, just try to overcome the challanging conditions, you'll be stronger for mastering it, and be glad that so many people are doing yoga.

and be glad that no one who wanted to be there got left out

on the contrary JS, here latecoming seems to be the increasingly accepted norm. people do not appear reticent or at all apologetic for the disruption. but then, with no consequence, there's no incentive for them to make the extra effort to get in on time. i think it reasonable to have a cut-off point. (i feel the same way when i go to the cinema...i require total absorption in my carefully researched selections...film-snob, c'est moi.)

yes, i too would love to teach the whole world to yoga in perfect harmony. when that day comes, yoga will be state-funded, free-of-charge, people of all creeds side-by-side in great purpose-built halls within walking distance of every city home.

in Britain the traditional stereotype is to meekly buckle down, grit ones teeth and not complain. here, i genrally feel stronger and more self-masterful in speaking up. in the long run, i find the universe also responds favourably.

at the very least late-comers should have to go to the back of the room as to not bother anyone else, that's for sure.

and repeated late-comers should be asked to be on time.

but I love your idea about a cool yoga center within walking distance of everyone!

Yeh I agree with this totally, and if the studio doesn't set the ground rules, then this happens more and more. Isn't there a yama or niyama about this?

This really gets to me too but I don't know how they would get around it apart from locking the door. But is that very friendly when everyone is clearly needing to go to the class which is why they made the effort to get there.

There is a safety issue here too, if the teacher doesn't have an assistant how can they keep a real eye on 30++ people and make sure they are safe?