When Gas Happens in Yoga Class

By Brooke Hewes, 6-05-08

I’ve certainly done it. You probably have. It is likely that someone, somewhere, is doing it right now…. The “it,” of course, is the inevitable passing of gas in yoga class. There’s just something about those restrictive clothes, those twisting postures and the quietness of it all that seems to entice farts. (As I recall, there is even a posture in Bikram Yoga called “wind-removing pose.)

So what do you do when you let one slip? Do you acknowledge the flatulence by looking up, smiling, even giggling at what is clearly (and, remarkably I must add, after all these years of doing it, always) amusing? Or do you just continue your practice—dristi steady, breath uninterrupted?

There are certain variables that likely affect one’s decision to concede or conceal. If, as I have seen before, the person (in this case a thankfully gregarious young woman) is one of two or three students practice a pose (headstand) while the rest of the class watches, acknowledgment must be paid. There is no averting the situation, and as such, one must either apologize for the interruption or laugh (which includes letting others giggle their “thank-God-that-wasn’t- me” giggles).

However the “conceding situation” plays out, the passer must decide how to move on. Moving on can be done gracefully or awkwardly, which I imagine hinging upon the amount of time one’s face remains red and the number of after-the-fact outbursts of laughter they permit themselves. And, of course, the stink—which unfortunately is beyond our control. Regarding scent, there’s little to do but pray (which, considering you are affecting karma by being on your mat, may actually help).

On the other hand, if the transgression takes place during a silent or un-led practice, I would just keep on keeping on. There’s no need to plant a second interruption. If you cannot help giggling, do so swiftly and resume your practice so that others may do the same. In this scenario, however, I highly suggest concealment.

The whole yoga-fart dilemma certainly summons one, if not several, moral tenets of the tradition. This is a perfect (and relatively safe) time to practice humility. Let go of your ego—at least enough to join the giggle or move through the situation with grace. Again, it happens to all of us and, if relaxed enough in your own skin and sense of self, should actually probably occur more than it does.

After all, and for good reason, “let go” is a more common mantra than “hold it in.”