We love Paula, one of our social media experts, for her ability to capture and share our culture in 140 characters or less (seriously, how do you do it!?). With a job that requires you to be "on" 24/7 and blurs the line between work and play, we asked her to weigh in on where she draws the line between 'tweeting in the moment' and just simply being present.
Working in the social media space, I am constantly fighting the battle between my phone and my mind. Correct me if I'm wrong but I don’t think I’m alone here. After returning home from an incredible long weekend at Wanderlust Festival Colorado this week, I was confronted by the recent buzz surrounding a certain yoga instructor being fired due to her vigilance around cell phone use in class. This conversation within the community highlighted a personal guilt I have been facing recently. Over the last six months, my phone has crept its way into my must-have accessories: yoga mat, water bottle, strap, block, iPhone. It sits face down amongst my pile of props at the top right hand corner of my mat, ready and waiting for me to slide it open. Though I know some teachers are okay with bringing phones into class (some even encourage it), it does have me questioning: Does bringing my phone into class compromise my yoga practice?
Here’s a quick rundown of my inner dialogue:
"I need to take a photo so that everyone on instagram will know that I went to yoga today."
"I get stressed out when I can’t record everything profound that my teacher is saying."
"I may get an emergency phone call I need to take."
"I like to know how much more time is left in class."
- some of the mid-class pics I've snapped
meditate now, tweet later
After writing these ‘concerns’ on paper, they seem irrelevant and less justified. Though I’m not sure I’m ready to give up my phone cold-turkey, here are some helpful hints to ensure you’re always respecting the studio space, your teacher and those you are practicing with:
- Find out the cell phone etiquette at your local studio - if it’s not publically posted then ask your instructor. In most cases there will be a no-phone policy but sometimes certain teachers may encourage you to bring your phone into class.
- Double Triple check that your phone is on silent before you begin class. This way you can stay present and not have to worry that it may go off. Trust me, having your 'Like a G6' ringtone blaring mid-class is not a fun experience.
- Take photos before and after class but put your phone in your bag during your actual practice.
- Bring a notepad into class to jot down any juicy nuggets that your teacher shares.
- Make sure that anyone you are currently texting, emailing or tweeting knows you’re walking into an 90 min class and that you’ll reply once you’re done. This avoids any guilt associated with not replying right away.
Do you bring your phone into class? If so, would you be offended if your teacher asked you to turn it off?
