5 signs you are playing an adult version of Simon says instead of practicing yoga.
Are You Playing Simon Says Instead of Practicing Yoga?
Let’s face it: most group yoga classes in typical studios resemble group fitness sessions. We roll in, water bottle in hand, check off our “handstand challenge” sticker, and lay out our mats. Then the teacher cues:
“Inhale, lift your arms to the sky.”
We comply.
“Exhale, shift your weight forward, extend your left leg.”
We comply again, trusting the beloved instructor to know precisely what we all need.
But is that really yoga, or are we just playing an adult version of Simon Says?
How Did Yoga Turn into Conformity?
The short answer: commodification. The practice of Asana is much easier to commodify than the deeper elements of the practice, so creating codependency and authority are the standard business model.
Real yoga, however, is an internal practice rooted in individual experience. Understanding the energetic and anatomical foundations allows us to modify, adapt, and explore. That’s where the real magic happens.
Below are five signs you might be stuck in a Simon Says loop—and how you can break free.
1. You Show Up Eager for Whatever the Teacher Has Planned
Symptom: You attend class mainly to see what sequence your favorite teacher has created, ready to follow their every instruction.
The Real Issue: You’re experiencing your instructor’s vision, which might not suit your unique energetic or physical needs. One student may be a homemaker running after toddlers, while the next mat belongs to a corporate executive who’s been at a desk all day. These vastly different lifestyles require different approaches, even if the poses look similar from the outside.
The Opportunity: Learn the fundamentals of energetics. This knowledge empowers you to make your practice your own, even when you’re in a group class. Instead of simply going along with “what’s cooked up today,” you become an active participant in your own yoga.
2. You Judge Progress by How “Perfect” the Pose Looks
Symptom: You’re fixated on matching that Instagram-worthy pose—arms perfectly aligned, backbend deepened—while overlooking the subtler inner experience.
The Real Issue: Physical achievement does not equate to true yogic progress. You can nail a deep Wheel Pose yet miss the energetic engagement that makes it transformative.
The Opportunity: Shift your focus from “Does this look right?” to “Is my breath steady, and am I connected to my internal cues?” The real measure of progress is enhanced body awareness, improved breath quality, and deeper introspection.
3. You Feel Confused or Intimidated by Sanskrit and Chanting
Symptom: The teacher names a pose in Sanskrit, and you look around the room to see what everyone else is doing. The idea of chanting mantras may feel intimidating—or even like “witchcraft.”
The Real Issue: You lack the context and understanding behind these traditions. Sanskrit terms have powerful roots that can deepen your connection to each pose. Mantras carry potent energy, best approached with clear intention.
The Opportunity: Learning the foundational poses and mantras opens up a whole new layer of practice. When you know the deeper energetic or mythological roots, chanting becomes a more meaningful (and less intimidating) experience.
4. You Assume You’re “Doing It Wrong” When Something Feels Off
Symptom: You settle into a pose that feels uncomfortable, and your immediate thought is, “I must be bad at this.”
The Real Issue: We’ve been conditioned to think there’s one correct shape for every pose. If your body disagrees, you blame yourself.
The Opportunity: Trust your body’s intelligence. A pose that feels wrong might be a red flag for alignment or indicate that you need a modification. Deep knowledge of alignment and energetics gives you the confidence to listen to your body and adjust safely instead of pushing through discomfort.
5. You Practice Pranayama Without Understanding Why
Symptom: You blindly follow the teacher’s breath cues—inhale through the nose, exhale through the mouth—without any idea of the intended effect.
The Real Issue: Pranayama isn’t just breathing; it’s moving life force energy. Different techniques heat or cool the body, energize or ground the mind, and have specific contraindications.
The Opportunity: Understand why you’re doing each technique. Learning the rationale behind Kapalabhati or Nadi Shodhana means you can choose (or skip) a practice based on your current energetic needs.
My Own Wake-Up Call
When I first started teaching at a boutique studio in Keene, NH, the owner would drop into my class and do her own thing—completely ignoring my cues. As a new teacher, I felt intimidated. I’d worked hard to craft sequences tailored to the season and time of day, yet there she was, rolling around on her mat doing her own practice.
Eventually, I realized this wasn’t rebellion—it was mastery. She knew exactly how to adapt each pose to her needs. Inspired, I invited students to “play” on their mats, too:
“Find extension through the front line of your body.”
“Add a transition or modification that resonates for you.”
The catch? Not everyone had the foundational body literacy to do this safely—they’d just watch the owner or other seasoned teachers and try to mimic them. That’s when I saw how critical it is to know the basics before you can skillfully break the rules.
Breaking Free of Simon Says Yoga
Modern yoga sometimes ends up as yet another form of conformity—but it doesn’t have to be.
The paradox of yoga is that true freedom requires deep knowledge first. Like a jazz musician who masters scales before improvising or a chef who perfects classic recipes before inventing new dishes, you need strong fundamentals to practice (and teach) yoga with both wisdom and creativity.
Ready to Stop Playing Simon Says?
This is exactly why our 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training exists. Whether you aim to teach or want to deepen your personal practice, our training empowers you with:
A clear understanding of each pose’s energetic purpose
The tools to modify your practice for your unique body and needs
Insight into the deeper meaning of Sanskrit terms and mantras
A roadmap to choose pranayama practices that suit your current state
A path toward authentic self-expression, rather than mere mimicry
Our Summer Sprint YTT (beginning June 22nd) isn’t about producing “perfect” yogis who follow instructions flawlessly. It’s about giving you the knowledge and confidence to explore on your own terms.
When you know the rules, you gain the freedom to mindfully break them.
Are You Ready to Practice Yoga, Not Play Simon Says?
Your mat is waiting. Join us for our Summer Sprint 200-Hour Teacher Training and step into the next chapter of your yoga journey—one guided by true understanding, creative exploration, and personal freedom.
Contact Us Today to learn more and reserve your spot!
Because when you truly understand yoga’s foundations, you unlock the power to create a practice that’s as unique and dynamic as you are!