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The guy next to me smells really bad! What can I do?

The guy next to me smells really really bad. I think it’s his mat or his clothes or maybe his body. I’ve practiced next to him several times and it drives me crazy. I know the teacher is aware of the stench because she never gets near him. What can we do?

This can be an incredibly delicate situation and one that we yogin have probably found ourselves in at one time or another and will most likely find ourselves in again.  As much as we may endeavor to withdraw our senses and to place our awareness on our breath and our movement throughout the asana practice, a strong smell, whether it’s body odor, cologne, perfume or whatever, can be a pretty powerful interruption to that focus. I know that when I have practiced next to someone that doesn’t smell all that sweet, I tend to get very distracted and find it very challenging to stay connected to my breath, let alone breathe through my nose!

So…what to do???

There seem to be a few ways to graciously and gracefully address this scenario.

First, I suggest that you talk to the teacher and express your concerns about your neighbor’s lack of cleanliness, maybe encouraging him or her to say something to the entire class about the importance of cleanliness of our bodies, our clothes, our mats and our minds.  After all, saucha, which translates to purity of the body, mind and spirit, is the first Niyama, or code of individual disciplines, in the Eight Limbs of Yoga.  It would be very appropriate for the teacher to speak to this before and even during class, perhaps even advocating for pre-class bathing.  However, because many people go to yoga after a long day of work, a shower before class might be an impossibility.  Although, there are other options to doing a pre-class cleanse that might help (i.e. a little under-arm wash in sink or using disinfecting wipes).  Either way, the teacher could refer to Patanjali and even quote Iyengar from Light on Yoga in saying that “One does not enter a temple with a dirty body or mind.  Before entering the temple of his own body, the yogi observes the rules of cleanliness.”  It might take a while, but hopefully if this message is repeated with enough consistency, you’re neighbor will eventually receive the message.

If that doesn’t work, you have the option of speaking to the individual directly by simply expressing your concerns in a non-accusatory way.  It doesn’t sound like a very fun conversation to have, but if you do so with great respect and consideration for your fellow yogi, it might prove to be effective.  Just remember to act and speak with compassion, kindness and sensitivity, and, without a doubt, have this conversation in private and outside of the yoga studio, so as to not further escalate any discomfort or embarrassment.

Another option is to simply enter the studio just before class starts and to find a spot on the other side of the room.

Much Love,

Jennifer

March 31st, 2010 | Tags: , , | Category: What's up Dog? An ‘advice’ column of sorts

115 comments to The guy next to me smells really bad! What can I do?

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