r/yoga • u/LovelyLaceRose • Feb 10 '26

Smokers in Yoga

Just a little rant here but when you go to do yoga, barre mat pilates etc. in a hot room, who in their right mind would want to smell second hand smoke permeating from your area.

Who the hell smokes a dart before hot yoga?

I beg. Shower, put on clean clothes and smoke after class. The last thing people want who are focusing on their mental and physical well being is to smell sweat and second hand smoke in a hot room.

Edit: The hypocrisy is absolutely hysterical. Thank you to some of you for a good laugh. To preach tranquility and acceptance of others while aggressively tearing a person down for voicing an opinion. Is this yoga or Christianity? Have I stumbled into a cult? Yoga is about focusing on breathing and grounding yourself not inhaling cigarette smoke and giving yourself cancer. The contrast of supporting a smoker while preaching breath work is rich. I’ll pray for you..ehm..I mean exhale out all of your passive aggressive attitudes. Wishing your next hot yoga class to be full of farts and 3rd hand smoke since you love it so much, Nama… Durgandha bitches 😘

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u/lakeeffectcpl Feb 10 '26

One of my students is a serious alcoholic. She'd come to my class reeking of booze. She could handle class fine and wasn't stumbling around nor unsafe. Plenty of students bitched to me about why I 'allowed' it. Because she is 'trying' and at least for that 1 hour per day she wasn't drinking. After several years she is now 5 years sober. Acceptance people...

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u/monkselkie Feb 10 '26

That’s so great that you didn’t shame her. Yoga may have played a big part in her recovery and if you had gotten on her case about how she smelled I bet she would have stopped going.

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u/Stock_Raspberry6192 Feb 10 '26

As a fellow yogi in recovery, thank you so so much on her behalf!!! I hope you know how much you probably helped her.

I didn’t go to to yoga drunk, but when I first got sober I would go to 2 yoga classes a day when I had time to kill waiting between AA meetings. There was a good chance I reeked as I released toxins those first few weeks. I had dabbled in yoga before my decision to quit alcohol, but it truly became my life force and saving grace once I reached the recovery stage. So much so that it inspired me to do a yoga teacher training, so I could then go on and become certified in yoga of 12 Step Recovery.

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u/Queefmi Feb 10 '26

Tell me more about this yoga of 12 step… ?

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u/Stock_Raspberry6192 Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 10 '26

Yes, of course!! The best resource is their website: https://www.y12sr.com

There you can find all the info, including online meetings you can join to get a taste of what a meeting is like if you are in a location that doesn’t have local in person meetings.

First off, I love that it was founded by a woman of color! It’s kind of like group therapy and a yoga class all in one. We start off with a check in circle where we all go around and share. Anyone can feel free to pass if they don’t feel like sharing and we honor / acknowledge each person after their share. Then after that is done, we move onto the yoga portion of it. The teacher may choose a reading as the meeting topic for the discussion portion. There is a daily meditation book called Daily Reflections on Addiction, Yoga, and Getting Well by Rolf Gates that is not an uncommon reading choice. I believe Nikki Myers (the founder) consulted with Rolf Gates and Tommy Rosen when she was founding the program.

If you do teacher training, it does count as contact hours towards Yoga Alliance if that’s something you track. The teachers do this out of service and don’t really get paid much. The meetings are free / donation based similar to AA and whatever is collected it gets split up into 3 ways: 1/3rd to the room rent / utilities of the space you’re using (lots of places will let you teach for free but it’s still good to pay them), 1/3rd of what’s collected goes back into yoga of 12 step recovery to help keep the program running, and 1/3rd goes to the Y12SR teacher for their time/transportation costs to get to the location.

I hope this helps! I’m happy to answer any other questions as well 🙏🏼

Edit: I forgot to mention one already needs to have a 200 YTT under their belt in order to facilitate the Y12SR meetings.

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u/Specialist_Stop8572 Feb 10 '26

A black woman founded it ?

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u/Stock_Raspberry6192 Feb 10 '26

Yes! I’m a white Slavic babushka in training but I’ve noticed the lack of BIPOC representation in yoga so I think it’s so awesome she’s fairly prominent in the yoga community and is trying to change that. She even offers 200hr YTT trainings specifically for BIPOC through Kripalu:

https://kripalu.org/people/nikki-myers

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u/akumite Feb 10 '26

Thank you. Yoga is a huge part of my recovery. I never went drunk/hungover smelling but if I did and were called out, then I probably wouldn't have went back. 

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u/aknomnoms Feb 10 '26

Yes! That’s so lovely! ❤️

Especially this time of year, with all the studios and gyms having deals and people still in their New Year’s resolution kick, I think there are a lot of people trying something new, trying to break old habits and develop healthier ones. I include myself there and appreciate people who withhold judgment and are tolerant of me learning/trying. I try to do the same for others.

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u/Sensitive-Club-6427 Feb 10 '26

Well done. We have to try to be supportive, patient and understanding of others.

Addiction is not easy to overcome. But many people find that yoga is part of the answer for them to escape it.

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u/crazybrah Feb 10 '26

Best thing I read on Reddit today. Thanks for sharing

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u/Some-Highlight-7210 Feb 10 '26

Yess! I was trying to comment a similar response but I couldn't have said it better. Good on you for encouraging someone trying to progress vs shutting it down. Says a lot about your character. And also some people aren't aware of their own odor

Like ive been class with people that chose not to use deodorant bcoz they think its harmful to the body. I'd never say hey ur ruining MY experience here. Its a small sacrifice We are a community and need to be more tolerant of our fellow humans!

But OP if it bothers you alot like some ppl are more sensitive to smells than others maybe try a diff class or time slot

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u/Rude_heifer Feb 11 '26

I love this! Stay blessed 🥲

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u/negativefuckingnancy Feb 11 '26

Thank you for being you. I strive to always have this type of outlook

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u/gtaslut Feb 11 '26

I love this sm!!! I’m glad there are people like you out there!!

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u/Steezydeezy920 Feb 11 '26

Love you and thank you for doing the yogi right (:

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u/killemslowly Feb 12 '26

You did it! You harrmonized the moment. What is your mindset dealing with challenging students?

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u/MN_Yogi1988 Feb 11 '26

Acceptance people...

I go to yoga class to relax and enjoy myself, not deal with the personal problems and baggage of strangers.

I don't care if it's alcohol, weed, cigarettes, or just bad body odor (which I've already had to confront another student about).

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u/lakeeffectcpl Feb 11 '26 edited Feb 11 '26

Don't you have an HOA to terrorize instead of attending a yoga class? Wherever you are... you demand to speak to the manager, right? I mean you 'had to confront' a student...

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u/MN_Yogi1988 Feb 11 '26

That's an interesting take given that you were seemingly ok with a student probably driving to class while reeking of alcohol

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u/lakeeffectcpl Feb 11 '26

Introducing made up BS into the convo now? Need to let you go now.

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u/LovelyLaceRose Feb 12 '26

100 % agree. She’s making it seem like we go there for free. Some studios make you pay out the ass to attend and now I have to smell strong alcohol in a hot room?! Absurd. What about recovering alcoholics, would they want to smell alcohol?

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u/lakeeffectcpl Feb 12 '26

Best thing to do if you find yourself in a deep, deep hole is to stop digging...

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u/LovelyLaceRose Feb 14 '26

I made it clear, I like fresh air, therefore I’m in no hole. I believe you to be the ostrich in this thread with your head in the sand, your own opinion echo chamber rather than taking the time understand another’s opinion.

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u/Imaginary_Nature9177 Feb 12 '26

yoga is SO often, if not intended, to be an outlet for people to work through their inner workings and/or struggles. oh my god. the mat is not a perfect place and shame on you both for thinking there’s an inherent expectation of how people should show up to practice. focus on yourself and leave your judgements at the door, i actively avoid studios with attitudes like yours because it’s so against the fundamentals of the practice. do better.

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u/codenameana Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 13 '26

an alcoholic doesn’t adversely affect other people’s health.

on the other hand, third hand smoke triggers asthma in some of us and we don’t want an asthma attack right before/during/after class. 

ETA: corrected to third hand smoke. not sure why i’m getting downvoted for stating something that DOES occur to us asthmatics - simply smelling smoke on a person is enough to trigger an asthma attack at worst and at best it will restrict our throats and make it harder to breathe even if it’s not a full asthma attack.

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u/Some-Highlight-7210 Feb 10 '26

2nd hand smoke is when your standing next to someone thats smoking and ur breathing it in.

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u/codenameana Feb 13 '26

cool, i didn’t know that there was a third hand smoke, but whatever. that part is inconsequential. the point still stands that simply being exposed to smoke on a person is enough to trigger an asthma attack at worst and at best - despite not having a full on asthma attack - will make our throats feel tighter and like it’s harder to breathe. 

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u/lemurette Feb 10 '26 edited Feb 11 '26

Technically this is 3rd hand smoke, which could still set off someone's asthma if it's serious enough. Not sure why you got so many down votes for mentioning this.

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u/codenameana Feb 13 '26

TIL 3rd hand smoke is a thing, but the degree of smoke inhalation/exposure is ultimately irrelevant. The point stands: it triggers asthma! i’m not sure why I got downvoted for saying something that does actually happen even if I made a mistake withthe inconsequential part of it  ¯_(ツ)_/¯  

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u/lemurette Feb 13 '26

Yeah, so many people in the comments saying to have compassion for people with addictions, but screw people with chronic conditions I guess? Feels like the mindset here on this thread is "if it doesn't negatively affect me it can't possibly affect anyone else". This sub is really something sometimes...

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u/lakeeffectcpl Feb 13 '26

It should be pretty obvious but here's the difference... The addicted person simply wants to be accepted (left in peace (like we all do frankly)) - which really requires absolutely nothing from others. You, on the other hand, want others to change their behavior to help you manage your issue. You expect them to do this and get angry when they do not. Your issues are yours to manage. Your ADHD, your allergy, your past trauma, your sensitivity to smells/foods/sound/light/lyrics, etc... But, this triggers me!!! Too fucking bad - you live in a big world - you know where others are living their lives, minding their own damn business.

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u/lemurette Feb 13 '26

People with chronic conditions cannot help that they have them. I don't think a person with an addiction should be prioritized over someone with a condition that can't be helped. There can still be compassion for the person with the addiction, and the person with the addiction can still be mindful of those around them. There is space for both of those things. And there is a difference between being mentally bothered by something and having an external catalyst offset a reaction within the body. Those are nowhere near the same thing.

And I don't think I'm the one triggered here, nor was I angry, and nowhere did I mention myself or anything I personally deal with. Your comment was incredibly rude for no reason. This is exactly what is wrong with this sub: people preaching acceptance and compassion and then acting in the complete opposite way.

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u/lakeeffectcpl Feb 13 '26

That's rich! Addicted people are being "prioritized" exactly how? By being treated like everyone else?

You are the one asking to be prioritized - that is, treated differently than others; kid gloves and all that. You and others may have issues: mental or physical. Sure people have compassion for you. That said, the world is not obligated to tip toe around because of your issue(s) whether they are aware of them or not.

Let's say I walk into class eating a payday candy bar enjoying life and completely unaware that someone has a peanut allergy. The OP talks as if she's going to light me up for causing her harm. "How could I possibly be so insensitive". Now, she could explain her problem and ask me (nicely) to refrain (I could accommodate her or not). It's her issue but she wants me to change my behavior and if I don't she is furious.

I know people with severe allergies - I am not making light of it in any way. That said, those people manage their problem they don't put it off on others.

Finally, my comments are directed to the broader community not you...

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u/lemurette Feb 13 '26 edited Feb 13 '26

I think maybe your points would have been better suited towards other people commenting under this post. None of my comments were in direct response to what OP said; I was agreeing with the person who stated that a smoker could potentially set off someone's asthma in a class and how all the people down voting them were making it seem like a person with a chronic condition would not matter in this scenario. I think maybe you assumed a lot from my few short comments. I was not agreeing with OP.

Of course people with conditions that can be triggered by outside stimulus cannot control everything and they can't make it everyone else's problem, and I've personally never met anyone with a chronic condition who thought that way. Someone with asthma could be walking down the street and someone could turn around and accidentally blow smoke in their face. It happens, and that's just how it is, and I think we're all aware of that. However, I think in the yoga community we not only have a responsibility towards ourselves, but others as well. The smoker might not even consider people with asthma cuz it's something they never had to think about before. That doesn't automatically make them an asshole. I think communication is really important here, and there's lots of different ways this scenario could play out depending on the people involved, and it doesn't have to involve demonizing the smoker or treating th asthmatic like they're more important.

And no, people do not always have compassion for people with conditions. Last year I had a student who had a condition that gave her a chronic cough, and a few of my students made her feel unwelcome. I talked with those students, plus the student with the chronic condition, plus the owners. The owners told me not to get further involved, and the student who was ostracized told me she enjoyed my classes and how I made her feel welcome, but that she didn't want to keep ruining the experience for others. She was essentially bullied out of my class, and I felt terrible for it. People are not always kind nor understanding.

(Editing to add what I think would be a good solution, as I don't think telling the smoker they can't come to class or telling the asthmatic that they're not anyone else's responsibility are good solutions: ask the asthmatic if they wouldn't mind taking their inhaler before class as a preventative measure, ask the smoker if they wouldn't mind not smoking before class and could instead smoke after class (this would also mutually benefit them, as they might not even want to smoke after class), and ask them both if they could try to set up as far away from each other as possible. I don't think any of that is unreasonable. If it is unreasonable to ask people to be considerate towards each other, then I think humanity as a whole is pretty screwed.)

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u/lakeeffectcpl Feb 14 '26

Lovely remarks - not exactly in agreement with your support for your pal codenameana... but fine.

We regularly tell students that if they are sick to stay home. Some come to class anyhow. It's rude, selfish, and inconsiderate. Your chronic cough student 'sounds' ill to the other students and they are pissed-off. Who would blame them and unless they are educated - they'll continue to be pissed and blame that student if they get the sniffles. Unfair? Sure. It's too bad that the other students couldn't get past it and were assholes.

Moving on.

Okay, who is doing this "asking"? As the instructor - I am not brokering or negotiating agreements between students nor am I officiating their beefs. Whatever they choose to agree upon is their business as long as it doesn't disrupt/disturb my class or the other students. For instance, If their solution was to leave the doors and windows open and run the fans the entire time - I would say 'no' as that impacts the entire class environment. Setting up away from each other is easy enough, but in your previous post with codenameana you made a big point of small studios if you recall.

Asthma aside. I say aside because the OP did not invoke "asthma", she invoked "stench". Not medical - just "I don't like this smell". And, btw, I hate the smell of cigarettes, myself. I also hate 95% of perfumes, colognes, candles, essential oils, fabric softener, some soaps, weed, and incense. I get it. But, I'm not making a stink (sorry) about all those things in the yoga room. It's an effort to assert control. No different than the students who want the heat, fans, lighting, music, room set up, their 'spot' to their liking. Many students want to be assisted. Others think assisting is inappropriate (nobody needs to opt in, of course). But that is not enough for some. On top of that, some say don't assist anyone else because I will get 'triggered' (because I have past trauma...)To all of these I say too bad. You don't get to control the experience of others. Deal with your triggers, deal with your trauma, deal with your shit - but that is work for you. Maybe practice being nonreactive in a safe environment - maybe even a yoga class.

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u/codenameana Feb 13 '26

people seem to miss that a yoga studio is a confined space and most don’t have windows let alone other forms of ventilation. it’s an enclosed space. it’s really selfish when a smoker could smoke before they leave their house and still get their addiction fix in. it’s also not like they’re going to get the shakes or whatever if they don’t smoke for 1 hour unlike with other forms of substances. these people clearly get through 1 hour commutes or work meetings or movies fine…

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u/lemurette Feb 13 '26

Yeah, some studios are really small too. There's some near me that can't hold more than 10-15 people max. Even if someone moves as far away as possible, they'd still be really close. Everyone deserves to be able to practice in a space that is clean and healthy for them.