But one thing I have noticed since teaching is this: The older the student is, the more determined they are to do the class.
Nothing against younger people at all. But a Bikram yoga class knocks everyone off of their ass the first time they do it. And the second time. And the third. And the 100th.
It is amazing how the same 26 postures and two breathing exercises never gets old and is always a challenge. That is because there is so much more going on in the room than just you moving your body and doing the poses.
Bikram yoga is a mind game, people. Your mind messes with you. You have mirrors all around you. You have no choice but to stare at yourself. It is hot. Sweat, toxins and memories pour out of your body and brain. You have to accept that it is going to be a real challenge even before you walk through the doors to lay down your mat.
And from what I have seen, the older the person is, the easier it is for them to accept this.
I have had two students walk out of class since starting teaching. That is it. They were newbies. They were, quite frankly, not in touch with what to expect. I explained to each of them, "It will be hot. You will need water. You will need to tie your hair back. Just sit down if you get overwhelmed."
Only one brought in water. Both had their hair down. (One didn't bother pulling any of it back!) Both left the room a few times. Both were young. Early 20s.
I encouraged them to stay the first time. Implored them the second time. The third time, I just ignored them. My focus was to keep with the rest of the class... And not waste time with people who didn't want to work on themselves.
But after that class, I started to pay attention to the other students who struggle in class. Who gives up easily and just sits down? Who lies down early on? Who drinks water repeatedly? Who gets back into poses when they fall out? Who comes up afterwards and thanks me for encouraging them?
The younger ones struggle more. The ego in some of them hasn't been told to back the hell off yet. The older students (and by this, I don't actually mean "old." I mean my age - early 30s - and above) can take the challenge that is being presented to them. They know they will have to work hard to change their bodies. Their minds have accepted this.
And once you accept this, it makes things easier to process in the class.
Everyone is different. Nothing is easy. If it is easy, why do it? That's not why you come to class.
Some students have mastered that lesson before they get through the door. Their class challenge lies elsewhere in their body. Other students - yes, usually the young ones - have to learn this first before they change their body.