Laughing Lotus Yoga Center - Jasmine Tarkeshi

I started going to this studio a couple of weeks ago & I really enjoyed the teachers, until this point. Today I went to a class at this school, with a teacher I have not experienced before, by the name of Jasmine Tarkeshi. I understand it was a flow class, level 2/3, I have been to many advanced classes before. I happen to be a yoga teacher who has taught classes for many years. I have a lot of respect for teachers & yoga in it's many different forms. I know what to do & how to look after myself in a class, in other words, doing what's best for me, practicing in a safe manor, which should be the most important part of any yoga practice. Jasime was teaching poses that I know are not best for me at present, Jasime was also moving from pose to pose very quickly with no regard for the breath at all, her planing & sequence of asana was very questionable to say the least. I moved in time with my breath, I am doing yoga, not aerobics, being a teacher I know how to modify asana (poses) so that I do not injure my self. Which is what I did. I understand one will not always find the perfect teacher, so you make do with what you have been given in that moment, mean while my safety is the most important thing. As soon has the class started I began moving with my breath, just a little slower then what Jasmine was teaching. Jasmine came over to me and asked what was going on (not if I was ok or anything else) I told her that I am a teacher & I would like to move with my breath, that I know what to do to to take care of myself, so all is fine (I said this in a very nice way) I do not see a problem with it, nor should Jasime. No other teacher ever has had a problem in the 11 years that I have been practicing yoga, in fact, this way of practicing yoga should be encouraged. An hour into the class Jasmine asked me to leave, I have to say my jaw hit the floor, I have never experienced this kind of rudeness disrespect in yoga before, either teaching or as a student. Where is the yoga spirit? A teacher should never kick a student out of a class, un- less they are upsetting other students, how can me practicing a little slower and safer be upsetting to the rest of the class? no one was complaining at all. I was so upset by this! & very embarrassed. I never in my life thought that I would be kicked out of a yoga class. So does this mean that if anyone goes to Jasmines classes & does not do what she says or is unable to keep up with her they will be asked to leave? I am not one to complain, I never have before, however I could not let this go with out saying something. The whole reason why I love yoga so much is because of how excepting of peoples differences yoga & the community is. Jasmine said that I was distracting other students, how, is beyond me. It makes me wonder if I was distracting Jasmine not other students, if the case, what kind of teacher is she. There was about 5 other students & I was at the back of the room, no body was close to me at all. I had not said a word to anyone. I always have respect for other students. If I feel that if something is not good for me or creates risks of being injured, I have the right to make sure I don't hurt myself. In any yoga practice & for any student, it should be important to take care & think about what one is doing, not comparing your self or watching what anyone else is doing in a class. You do not have to do everything the teacher ask if you are not comfortable with it. I will never go back to this yoga school again. You do not treat your students like that, it's yoga! Some where along the way Jasmine has forgotten the true spirit of yoga. Jasmine needs to re look at her classes & how she teachers, how Jasmine is teaching at present is not very safe on so many levels. If you go to Jasmines classes you put your long term & short term safety at risk, so please students of yoga, be careful, do what you feel is best for you, not what anyone else thinks you should do. Namaste