By Leslii Stevens ERYT500, YACEP, Ayurveda Practitioner
Navigating Privacy in Yoga: The Unwanted Photo Dilemma
A few weeks ago, I received a message from a friend that left me both amused and concerned. She had forwarded a photo of a yoga class in child's pose, with students' backsides in the air. “Got this in an email. I see you!” she wrote. Another friend of hers had sent her the same image, and sure enough, my friend recognized me in the picture. It turns out, a student from my class had stumbled upon the photo online and sent it to her, puzzled as to why it was being used on a website.
I immediately recognized the setting—it was a class I was teaching at a Yoga and Fitness Studio in Massachusetts. Specifically, it was a popular Wednesday evening class that always drew a crowd. And there I was, in the photo, along with my students, none of whom, myself included, had given permission for our images to be used on any website.
I was shocked. Not only had I not agreed to be photographed, but the class had its head down in child’s pose, completely unaware that someone was snapping pictures. The photo is being used to advertise yoga and group fitness classes on the studio’s website. I contacted the studio, requesting that they remove the photo. The response I received was disappointing, to say the least. A staff member replied, saying they would crop some people out. I tried to explain that the photo was inappropriate, and as the teacher, I needed to protect both myself and my students. My concerns were dismissed, and the photo remained.
To make matters worse, the room where the photo was taken had signs clearly stating, “No Photography.” This situation brings to light an important issue: privacy expectations in yoga and other personal settings.
The Expectation of Privacy in Yoga
In today’s digital world, many people are thrilled to see their images online, often liking, sharing, and commenting to amplify the reach of the post. Some might even accept that being photographed is an inevitable part of leaving the house. We’ve all probably photobombed a shot or two just by walking down the street!
However, some people draw the line when their images are used for commercial purposes without their consent. In the US, Canada, and many other countries, using someone’s likeness for commercial gain without permission is illegal. The right of publicity, or personality rights, is well established worldwide.
For me, the issue is about more than just legality—it's about the simple desire not to be photographed during my yoga practice, whether as a teacher or a student. This expectation of privacy extends to other areas of my life as well, like eating at a restaurant, shopping, or simply minding my own business on public transit.
Professionally, I do maintain an online presence with a blog, a website, and carefully curated marketing photos. However, I draw a clear line between my professional life and my personal yoga practice. I avoid social media, preferring face-to-face interactions. So, why would I be okay with studios posting photos of me without my consent?
Even if I were someone who enjoyed sharing personal moments online—whether it be vacation snaps or family gatherings—I would never post photos of others without their explicit agreement.
Photo Etiquette in Yoga: Respecting Boundaries
In the yoga community, certain moments are particularly off-limits for photography. Poses with closed eyes, such as Savasana, discussed in Savasana Is Not a Photo Op, Yoga International and introspective poses like Child’s Pose are deeply personal. Pranayama and meditation sessions are also times when unexpected photography feels like an intrusion. It’s a matter of common courtesy—much like not photographing mourners at a funeral or patients in a hospital. Yoga, for many, is a sacred space, and that respect should be maintained.
Even with consent, the knowledge that a camera is present can alter the energy of the class. Students might feel unable to fully relax, turning what should be a deeply personal experience into a staged performance.
Real-Life Examples: Cameras in Yoga Workshops, Trainings & Classes
While everyday yoga classes usually don’t involve photography, workshops can be a different story. During a recent workshop, one student, who was also a long-time teacher, started taking photos with her cell phone. The workshop leader, noticing this, asked, “Did you ask if you could take pictures?” The student, caught off guard, admitted she had asked during a previous workshop but not this time. The instructor persisted, asking, “What are you doing with the photos? Will they end up on Facebook?” Embarrassed, the student put her phone away.
At another workshop I attended in 2017, the elaborate prop setups and lengthy demos were so tempting that many participants, myself included, began taking photos. The teacher, known for his showmanship, didn’t mind and even joked that we looked like paparazzi.
Contrast this with a class in 2016 in, where only a few people occasionally snapped photos of the instructor’s demos. Noticing someone taking a photo, the teacher remarked, “I’m not even in the pose yet. That picture shows nothing.” She then refined her pose until it reached its final form, a blend of bluntness and grace that demonstrated the difference between a candid and a meaningful photo.
More recently, at a local yoga studio, a mini “class before class” was offered each day during a workshop series. Many participants, including myself, took photos to record the lessons, with the intention of revisiting them later. However, before posting anything, I would always seek permission from the teacher, the venue, and any students who appeared in the images.
No Photos Unless Requested: Setting Boundaries as a Teacher
As a teacher, I would never photograph my students without their explicit consent. If I do take photos, it’s for my own benefit, and I always obtain signed permission. If I use photos as a learning tool, I use the students’ own cameras, allowing them to see and understand their own bodies better. But I strictly prohibit photography in my classes. After all, who knows where those photos might end up?
Your Thoughts on Cameras in Class?
What do you think about cameras in yoga classes? Should there be a strict no-photo policy, or is there a time and place for capturing moments during practice? How do we balance the desire to document and share with the need for privacy and respect in such a personal space?
As a Trauma Informed Yoga Teacher I work really hard to protect my students in every class and every venue, studio, club and gym I teach in.