Karma and accountability
 As yogi's we believe in Karma and that everyone is responsible for
their own. Which means we can also get away with allot because fellow
yogi's typically will not call you out - or make you accountable. Case in point, a fellow yoga teacher on a recent trip was always on
the look out for photo ops in which to promote herself. The photos told
a different story of her journey, as did her later interpreted use of
them on the web. Several of us who traveled on the same trip were
shocked and found it rather comical, yet none of us said anything. This
is not Satya, on her part or on mine. But is it really my job to point
it out? There is obviously a desire by some to become the"next up and coming"
thing in the world of yoga. To be featured in yoga journal, and
recognized around the world. But does this really make them better yoga
teachers/guides or just entrepreneurs exploiting yoga for the glory of
the self. This to me is not living yoga. Yoga Journal magazine often has good articles, however they do as
much harm as they do awareness to yoga. I often tell my students my
intention is not to see you on the cover of Yoga Journal Magazine.
My intention is to help guide them to find what works best in their
body, today. Yoga should be about increasing body acceptance not
creating body shame, keeping those who could benefit from yoga away
because they do not have the structure or form to move into a pose the
"right" way. I find it irresponsible to say that there is a universal alignment or
specific way to be and do a pose. Scripting out what should be said as
tho it is the only way. I realize that as a beginning teacher these are
helpful guidelines to begin to teach off of, but thru experience if you
do not see that everyone is built differently, principle of individuality, that every one walks into the
class with a different story, and different needs and you are teaching a
one size fits all yoga there is a problem. Not to mention the effect on students who structurally cannot move
that way and never will be able to move that way. This type of
teaching only creates and possibly reinforces body image shame. I
cannot tell you how often I hear, "O I cannot do yoga, My body does not
move that way!" or "I cannot even touch my toes!" Where do non
practicing yogi's get these ideas? From the yoga practitioners who love to post photos on the websites or else where on the Internet of their ability to move into these pretzel poses. I am sure that some do it thinking they are inspiring others, but allot are doing it to say hey Look at what I can do!! The effect is we are running of the very person who needs a yoga practice. I want to find studios and teachers, that live what they teach, that
practice the other 7 of the 8 limbs of yoga as much if not more then the
asanas. To connect with other like minded individuals that are Living Yoga,
who do not claim to know it all, and are willing and open to share and
hear other ideas in an effort to become the best the can be. Are you
someone I am looking to connect with? I hope so! See you on the mat! |
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Categoriesasanabalance breath chakra injury karma, meditation patience perception practice touch yoga yoga alliance yoga, accountability |
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