33. Managing Difficult Students Without Losing Your Cool

Every yoga teacher encounters students whose behavior challenges their calm—talking during class, arriving late, doing their own thing, or just radiating resistance. In this episode, I share real-life stories from my two decades of teaching and offer compassionate, effective strategies to address common classroom disruptions without compromising your boundaries or your students’ dignity.

We’ll reframe “difficult students” into “challenging behaviors,” align our responses with yogic principles, and walk through specific examples—from strong odors to handstands in gentle yoga—and how to handle each with grace. You’ll learn when to intervene, how to do it kindly, and when to let things go for the greater good of the group.

Whether you’re a new teacher or a seasoned pro, this episode gives you tools to stay steady, model equanimity, and protect the container of your class. Plus, get details about my upcoming free live call on “Handling the Unexpected” inside The Zone.

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Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction: Facing Challenging Student Behaviors
• 1:29 Understanding Challenging Behaviors
• 3:29 Managing Your Reactions
• 6:00 Practical Strategies for Common Issues
• 9:38 Setting Boundaries with Compassion

Transcript

0:15

Can I tell you something? Every yoga teacher, no matter how experienced faces challenging student behaviors, whether it's someone going totally off book in the middle of your sequence, carrying on a running commentary with their neighbor, or simply looking utterly miserable through your entire class, these situations test our equanimity as teachers. I've seen a lot in my two decades in the yoga classroom: the folks who warm up with showy poses while everyone else sits quietly before class. The very sweet guy who came directly from his permaculture garden and who smelled like it. The student correcting her friend throughout class. The child whose mother dragged her to class and who to rebel, just sat there and refused to follow the practice. Okay, confession. I was that mother. Each of these challenges presents a unique opportunity for you to put your practice into action and demonstrate equanimity while holding the greater good front and center. This is Yoga Teacher Confidential. I'm Sage Rountree, and today we are diving into how to manage difficult students without losing your calm. First, let's clarify what we're talking about when we say difficult students actually dislike this label because it implies the problem is the person rather than the behavior. When we reframe this as challenging behaviors, we can separate the action from the human, A fundamental yogic principle of seeing the divine, the Shri in everyone. Some of the most common challenging behaviors you might encounter include students who talk during class, either to their neighbor or sometimes more disruptively to you as the teacher. Questions are welcome, but a running commentary can pull both you and other students out of the experience. You'll find students who modify extensively or who go completely off book, potentially distracting others, or even creating safety issues. I once had a student who would randomly start kicking up into handstand in the middle of the room during gentle poses. Students who arrive chronically late or who leave during Shavasana final relaxation disrupting the container that you've carefully created. You'll find students who appear bored, angry, or disengaged. Those blank expressions we talked about in episode eight, that can make you question everything you're doing as a teacher, and that don't necessarily mean your students are having a bad time. You'll find students who correct other students or even try to teach sections of your class for you. And of course, you'll find students who carry a strong odor, whether it's body odor, perfume, or the smell of smoke, and that can affect others in the room. What's important to understand here is that in most cases, these behaviors aren't personal attacks on you as a teacher. They're often expressions of the student's own discomfort or anxiety or simple habits, and sometimes the student is simply unaware of how their behavior is affecting others. So before we talk about how to handle these situations, it's crucial to recognize that managing difficult behaviors starts with managing our own reactions. Our ability to handle challenging student behaviors directly impacts three things, our teaching effectiveness, our personal wellbeing, and most importantly, the experience of all our students. When we react with frustration or embarrassment or anxiety to a challenging behavior, we risk several things. First, we might inadvertently escalate the situation. If a student senses your frustration, they may become defensive or even more disruptive. Second, we damage our connection with not just that student, but potentially with the entire class. Other students will notice how you handle difficult moments, and this will affect their trust in you as a teacher. Third, we compromise the sound container. We've worked so hard to create in class. The yoga classroom should be a place where all students feel they can explore and grow without judgment. When we visibly lose our cool with one student, we signal to everyone that the space may not be as safe as they thought, but the implications go beyond the immediate classroom experience. As teachers, we're modeling the very principles that yoga offers us equanimity, compassion, and non-reactivity. When we respond to difficulty with grace, we are not just managing a situation, we are embodying the practice. This doesn't mean we should tolerate all behaviors or never set boundaries. In fact, setting clear kind boundaries is one of the most compassionate things we can do. It protects both the individual student and the group experience. And here's where the host mentality we discussed in the last episode comes in handy. As the host, you have not only the right but the responsibility to ensure everyone has a positive experience. Just as you wouldn't let one dinner guest monopolize the conversation or make others uncomfortable, you have the authority to address behaviors that disrupt the class. The real art is learning how to do this with skill and compassion in a way that preserves everyone's dignity, including your own. Let's get practical. Here's how to handle some of the most common challenging behaviors you might encounter in your yoga class. First, prevention is always better than intervention. I. Many issues can be avoided by setting clear expectations at the beginning of class. This starts before your student is even physically present at the studio. You can make clear on your website or in your class descriptions what the studio etiquette is around odor, around not following the routine to the letter and so on. When class starts in your welcome, mention any studio policies about cell phones or talking or coming and going during class. For example, you might say, if you need to leave early, please set up near the door and let me know. Before we begin, I'll be happy to put your props away so you can simply walk out. For students who arrive late, designate a spot near the door where they can set up with minimal disruption. Acknowledge them with a subtle nod or a smile, but keep your attention on your class to avoid breaking the flow or embarrassing your student who arrives late. For students who talk during class, try a gentle general reminder First, let's keep our focus internal. For now, there'll be time to connect after class. Sometimes when I work with teams of young adults like the football team, I use this yogic way of saying, zip it. It close your mouth and breathe through your nose. Sometimes I have to repeat it a few times. Close your mouth and breathe through your nose. Close your mouth and breathe through your nose, Greg. Little if that doesn't work. And if talking is disrupting your students' experience, you might need to address it more directly after class. I noticed there was a lot of conversation during practice today. I'd love for everyone to have the experience of going inward during our time together. For students who go off piece with their practice, it depends on the situation. If they're simply doing a different pose and not disrupting others, let it be. They may have physical needs or mental needs or emotional needs you're unaware of, but if their modifications create safety issues or disrupt the class, you might say something like, I noticed you're exploring some variations. For safety and space reasons I'd like to suggest insert alternative here during this part of class. For students with strong odors, this requires sensitivity. It's usually best to have this conversation privately after class. You might say, I wanted to check in about something delicate. I've noticed a strong scent during class that might be affecting others. Could we brainstorm some solutions together? Involving the student in finding a solution can make it feel like a collaborative problem solving adventure and not cruel judgment. For the chronically disengaged student who never seems to enjoy class, try connecting with them before or after class. Ask open-ended questions like, how is the practice for you today? Or is there anything you'd like to see more of in class? As we explored in episode eight of this podcast, though, sometimes what looks like disengagement is actually deep concentration, but other times the student might need something different than what you're offering. They may even need to be directed toward a different class. In all these situations, timing matters. Minor issues can often wait until after class. Major disruptions may need immediate attention, but try to handle them discreetly to avoid embarrassing the student or disturbing the class. Your tone is equally important. Stay neutral, stay calm, and stay kind. Frame your comments as observations and requests rather than as criticisms and directions. I notice that. Or would you be willing to, tends to be received better than you need to, or you shouldn't. And remember, sometimes the wisest response is no response at all. Not every behavior needs correction. Ask yourself, is this behavior actually harmful or just different from what I expected? Is it affecting others or is it just bothering me? The goal isn't to control your students, but to create a space where everyone can practice safely and with minimal distraction. For truly difficult situations like a student who becomes confrontational or refuses to respect boundaries, don't hesitate to involve your studio manager or studio owner. That's what they're, therefore, and some situations require support beyond what you can provide in the moment. You do not need to feel alone in handling any challenging students. Finally, reflection is key After a challenging interaction, take the time to process what happened, what triggered the behavior? How did you respond? What worked and what didn't? Each difficult situation is an opportunity to refine your teaching and to deepen your own practice. Here's your three-part affirmation for those moments when you're faced with challenging behaviors. I respond rather than react. I set boundaries with compassion. I serve all my students through my equanimity. I respond rather than react. I set boundaries with compassion. I serve all my students through my equanimity. The truth is difficult. Moments in teaching are inevitable. They're also invaluable opportunities for growth. Both yours and your students by approaching challenging behaviors with awareness, with compassion and with clear boundaries, you transform potential conflicts into connections. Remember, the most masterful teachers aren't those who never face difficulties. They're those who handled difficulties with grace. Your students will forget exactly what pose you taught or precisely what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel and how you responded when things got tough. Next time you encounter a challenging behavior in your class. Take a breath before responding. Remember that what looks like resistance or disruption might be a call for connection or an expression of discomfort. Approach with curiosity rather than judgment. And know that your capacity to maintain your center amidst difficulty is one of the most powerful teachings you can offer. Far more impactful than any perfectly sequenced class. If you'd like to hear more about handling the unexpected, join me for a live call called Handling the Unexpected When students struggle, resist, or challenge you where we can discuss how to handle classroom management and these delicate issues. It's scheduled for Thursday, May 15th, 2025, in the Zone, my free community for yoga teachers. You can RSVP at the link in the show notes or visit comfort zone yoga.com to sign up. When you do, you'll also get access to a private podcast that includes replays from all my free community calls. So if you can't make it live, you can catch up. Meanwhile, thank you for listening to this podcast, yoga Teacher Confidential. I'd love to hear your experiences with challenging student behaviors and how you've handled them. You can hit me up in the Zone. Reach me at sagerountree.com or on social media at @sagerountree with no letter D. Remember, I respond rather than react. I set boundaries with compassion. I serve all my students through my equanimity. Thanks for being here. I'm Sage Rountree, and I'll see you next time.