The internet has rallied around a disgruntled resident who wants their next-door neighbor to stop hosting yoga classes in their backyard.
Reddit user u/Classic-Region-9240 shared their dilemma in the subreddit "Am I Overreacting?" where they detailed how their neighbor, Karen, started teaching classes in her backyard a few months ago—but the attendees had started to spill over into their garden. The post racked up 11,000 upvotes.
"At first, it was just a mat or two near the fence, but now her whole group of yogis basically takes over half of my lawn every Saturday morning.
"One day, I look out the window, and they've set up an entire speaker system blasting calming nature sounds and 'healing frequencies,' all while I'm trying to enjoy my coffee in peace. I politely asked her if she could keep her classes to her own side of the fence, and she just laughed, saying, 'Oh, it's all one big green space anyway,'" they wrote on the subreddit.
According to the original poster [OP], the situation reached a breaking point when the group brought out incense, leading their garden to smell like a meditation retreat while they were attempting to barbecue.
The OP again asked Karen to retreat to her own yard, but she accused them of being "too territorial" about shared nature.
"So, am I overreacting for wanting to reclaim my own yard, or is Karen taking 'namaste' a bit too far?" they asked the Reddit community.
Experts Weigh In
Three experts in psychology weighed in on the issue to offer their verdicts.
Caitlin Slavens, a psychologist at the California-based MamaPsychologists, believes the OP is not overreacting.
"Boundaries are essential, and Karen is, quite literally, overstepping them. While it might seem like a small thing—yoga mats and calming sounds—it's actually a clear invasion of his personal space," she told Newsweek.
Slavens suggested assertive communication, advising the OP to express his needs without guilt.
Slavens said that the neighbor's dismissive attitude reflects a deeper issue with respecting boundaries. "Clear, respectful communication is important, with the boundary firmly being set."
She suggests starting a calm but assertive conversation, proposing language like: "I know you love hosting your yoga classes, and I totally support that, but I need to ask that you keep the sessions within your yard so I can enjoy my space without the overlap."
Kayla Meyer, a licensed professional counselor in Pennsylvania, takes a different approach.
She advised the OP to first evaluate whether the issue was worth the battle.
She said: "Is it THAT bothersome that they need to keep fighting the issue?"
Meyer recommends validating Karen's feelings in a calm moment and then clearly stating how the classes are impacting them.
"I'd very clearly and assertively state how these yoga classes are negatively impacting them and clearly state (instead of asking) the boundary for moving forward, which might sound like 'Please stay off my lawn moving forward.'," she advised.
New York-based Attiya Awadallah, psychotherapist and owner of Lenora: Art Therapy and Counseling, pointed out the emotional toll this boundary violation may have on the OP.
"Feeling disrespected in your own space can create tension, leading to heightened stress or anxiety."
Awadallah agreed that clear, firm communication is essential, noting that the OP's mental well-being is at stake.
She suggests framing the issue around their well-being, saying something like, "This is really impacting my ability to enjoy my yard and de-stress."
Awadallah also warned that ongoing stress from the situation could escalate. "If the neighbor doesn't respond, taking further action, such as legal steps, can help safeguard their well-being and restore a sense of control over their environment."
Reddit Reacts
Reddit reacted humorously to the OP's situation, with users suggesting an array of creative solutions.
"Start turning on the sprinkler on those mornings," said one user.
"Or decide the lawn must be mowed Saturday mornings, no exceptions!" suggested another.
"Sounds like you need a heavy metal morning BBQ with slip and slide. I'll bring the slip and slide and make pancakes," added an invested Redditor.
Newsweek reached out to u/Classic-Region-9240 for comment via Reddit but could not verify the details of the case.
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