Posts Tagged ‘About Yoga’

By Neena Dayal

Yoga gurus or yoga teachers, as they are frequently called in the Western world are difficult to find. Yoga has great potential for saleability, all over the world. Therefore, many times it is seen that people with just simple knowledge start acting as yoga gurus. Many so-called yoga gurus take undue advantage of keen inclination of the people for learning yoga. They do more harm than good in the process. Hence, it is extremely important to recognize true gurus or yoga teachers and eliminate the false ones.

Some yoga teachers have great credentials and impressive degrees. Even then, learning from them may not be fruitful. Just knowledge of yoga is not sufficient. A person also has to be a good human being. Yoga is most beneficial when it is an exercise in spiritual growth.

Some pointers given below give good foundation to make the right choice.

• True yoga gurus are never boastful. The first and foremost qualification is that they are very humble.

• True ones never have a sense of pride of their knowledge of yoga. In order to become a true guru one must renounce all sense of pride.

• True yoga gurus are never ambitious. They are neither driven by forces of competition, success, and money, nor they are interested in glorifying themselves with false titles.

• True yoga gurus do not need to demonstrate their yogic powers in order to win over disciples. They have already mastered all the beneficial aspects of yoga. So, yoga in all its wonder becomes an integral part of their lives and they may not even have to practice it every day.

• Many times, it is seen that the gurus start considering themselves greater than others who do not know about yoga. They actually go against the most basic teachings by doing so. True ones understand perfectly that they are not superior to others. Instead, they develop a deep need to share their knowledge for the betterment of human beings.

• True yoga gurus attain deep stability of mind. They are never disturbed by anything. This does not mean that they are unaffected by their surroundings or things do not hurt them anymore. It simply means that they understand the ephemeral nature of things and so do not worry too much. They have the knowledge that the nature inclines toward stability and sooner or later things change for the better. This knowledge keeps their temperment unwavering.

A good yoga guru can change the outlook of your life. Hence, it is very important to choose the right teacher if you wish to learn yoga and experience the bliss of a great life force unleashed within and all around you.

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Author: Neena Dayal

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By Elizabeth Henshall

Lead or Self Taught Yoga Sessions?  That is the Question!

Having a yoga instructor can really help to boost your yoga practice. They will demonstrate the asanas (postures) so you can really see what you need to be doing and they will help you by watching what you do and making small corrections to keep your body aligned and safe. However Yoga is a wonderful tool for stress management that you can learn on your own with the help of a DVD or book. It all depends on you and your learning style. Think first – what way have you learnt best in the past. Do you like to experience something by actually doing it and then you learn it well? Do you like to read something about the topic and that helps you learn best? Do you like to see something being done by someone else and then copying it which is where DVD’s are so helpful?

We each have our own best method of learning and the way you learn Yoga will be no different. Of course it can be nice to combine some of these and, for instance, go to a class and also read up on it. Or go home and do your daily yoga practice with a dvd to guide you. Yoga instructors come in all shapes and sizes and with their own preferred style. Typically yoga instructors are young women and they love what they do so you can expect an enthusiastic, warm and lovely class. Also fairly typical in the yoga instructor field are old women or men who have had some background in dance or sports and who then turn to yoga. These instructors can be very suitable for an older person as they understand a lot about changes in the body and have a wide range of information to supplement their yoga knowledge.

The most important thing about Yoga and finding an instructor or teaching yourself through some other method is that you enjoy what you are doing. If you like being part of a class because it gives you structure and some social contact – like a little oasis of peace that is just for you every week – then that will be the right choice for you. If you like to create a sense of peace and enjoyment through practising quietly at home in your own space at any time you fancy – then that is right for you. If you do it in a way that you don’t enjoy you will not carry on with the practice over a long period of time (which is when you really reap the benefits!)and your body will be stiff with resistance as you do it, which isn’t nice! So think about what works for you – then make that happen. Enjoy!

Restorative Yoga Workshops and more information about how to use this form of self healing can be found on Restorative Yoga and Yin Yoga. The Fifty, Fit and Fabulous programme provides a step by step approach to wellbeing through holistic care and is outlined on these sites.

  By Diane M. Cruz

I used to think that in order to teach yoga I had to know everything there is to know about yoga. How limiting is that? That assumption overwhelmed me so much that I almost gave up on the whole idea of teaching in the first place. The big huge world of yoga knowledge was just too vast, and sometimes confusing that I wondered how many teacher trainings I would have to take before I “felt” ready. Yet this is not something that can be taught in teacher training. You decide when you are ready, you decide when you are a teacher. The door was wide open and I was too timid to walk through even though I was fully equipped.

Then one day I wasn’t afraid. I don’t remember what changed, but I “felt” ready. I knew I would never know it all and that the knowledge I have come across so far was plenty to at least start teaching. So I stepped boldly on the teacher’s path and never looked back.

I do the best that I can studying on my own and with constant contact with my yoga teacher who lives on the other side of the states. My own yoga practice, students and class teach me daily what I need to learn.

To not know it all is o.k., to pretend like I know it all is NOT o.k. Some of my favorite yoga classes have been from teachers who are honest, open and love yoga. Should it be anymore than that?

Diane M. Cruz is an inner-preneur, Yoga Teacher and Life Coach in San Diego, California. She believes in cultivating a strong body and mind to keep you moving on your life path. Her classes and coaching sessions will empower you by providing life-enhancing tools to apply immediately to your life. Visit her website http://www.thebijacenter.com.