By Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500
There are so many styles of Yoga that it can be confusing to anyone, who is taking the first step of beginning the practice. Not long ago, the only way to learn Yoga was through the student and teacher relationship. There are ancient writings and books, but Yoga, in all of its forms, was usually carried by the teacher to the student.
In the 21st century, you have many new choices for discovering wisdom, which took thousands of years to gather. Thanks to electricity, the computer age, and new technology, many of us can learn the answers to the mysteries of life in minutes. Will this make the art of teaching obsolete? Never!
Here is why the art of teaching will never be replaced by technology: People love the personal interaction with mentors, Gurus, and Yoga teachers. The Internet can produce a huge amount of information in minutes, but we often read, hear, or see differing opinions, which seem to have equal weight. If one has a competent teacher, he or she may be able to present a focused view of differing opinions.
If you visit a web site that states, “High blood pressure is always the fault of the patient.” Who is the author? What hard data is this opinion based upon? Upon further investigation, you discover that the author of the article has no knowledge or education in medical science. It is barely acceptable to make such claims after a study has been performed, but some opinions are not based on research, testing, or studies.
In Hatha Yoga, there seems to be two basic schools of thought. One is that the student should fit the requirements of the style or the requirements that a teacher has designed as a basic requirement. One good example of this would be to require every student to perform Triangle Pose (Trikonasana) without the use of a prop, such as blocks, stools, or chairs.
The only problem with this approach is that a student will eventually show up to class, who has limited range of motion for a variety of reasons. These reasons could be the age of the student, trauma, skeletal limitations, or a neurological disorder – such as, Frederick’s Ataxia. In such cases, the teacher has limited knowledge and discourages a student from attending his or her classes.
The opposing viewpoint is seen in therapeutic Yoga classes, where the style can be modified to suit the needs of every student, who manages to come through your doors. This requires Yoga teachers to embrace continuing education. When Hatha Yoga is therapeutic, it meets the needs of everyone.
There comes a point in life when we begin to realize that we are mere mortals. No matter how strong, tough, or arrogant, we think we are – one illness or automobile accident can suddenly change our lives. For any Yoga teacher to become the best he or she can be, we must continue to evolve with compassion as our guide.
© Copyright 2009 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications
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Tags: Gurus, hatha yoga teacher, style of yoga, Triangle Pose, Trikonasana, Yoga Teacher Training, yoga teachers
Hi I love all your articles find them very informative and learn something new always.
Keep it up.
Hi Paul!
I just finished this news letter. The last paragraph stating “there comes a time when we must realize that we are mere mortals and to continue to evolve with compassion as our guide” could not have been said any better. That just really struck me! I do love to assist in showing a simplified modification to make someone a part a pose just as much as the more advanced version. I love the newsletters! You are genuinely sincere and it is appreciated. I have only been instructing Yoga for a little over a year in a group setting but I have been a chair aerobic instructor for 10 years now, working with the senior population.
Sincerely,
Dawn Applegate
Indianapolis, In
The newsletter is a great addition to my life. I am studying to be a yoga instructor–through Aura Wellnes–and, look forward to the newletter each week.
There is so much information, and I do take advantage of it.
Thank You for the time you put into it, and for keeping it coming.
Namaste
Joyce Gerstenberger
Namaskar, Paul, et.al.,
I look forward to each newsletter you send me–I continue to learn and learn and learn! Thank you for your tireless efforts to give us support and encouragement!
be well, namaste,
Terry
Same as Sharon, love all the articles and I always look forward to me email
Namaste
I am a Yoga Trainer as well as a learner. Our mentor in Yoga is a consultant Physician, Dr K K Dang (M. D.), who has learned Yoga from different Indian Schools in Yoga. We are imparting free lessons in yoga every morning from 5.45 to 7 a.m., to a group of 30 to 35 persons, mostly senior citizens. Yet I find something new and inspiring in your articles. Please keep us informed in many facets of this ancient art of keeping physically, mentally and emotionally fit.
namaste
i am extremly sorry for not responding to your yoga newsletters.they are very informative and useful to one and all.i was suffering from hepetitis C since two years,i took the treatment twice but again relapced. now my viral load is 7 lakhs.i am doing yoga & meditation.ifeel better.in between i went into depression.that is the reason for not responding to your newsletters.recently i have started yoga classes for kids.i would like to take your help regarding this. please give me more information on how to plan the schedule,teaching method with playful games,puzzles ,quizes etc.,
namaskar
sasi
This comment can be applied to many an article I have read so far on your blog and in Newsletter:
Thank you for clear, gentle, warm and astute observations that you share with us!
Love
Namaste
Lea
I love the articles that I read and for this I thank you,I traveled India last year and got introduced to yoga,now I am back in the uk I am studing yoga so I can continue to grow,I finish my course next year,and I’m wanting to share what it is im learning,comunication plays a huge role in teaching and although I’m studing yoga, I feel I should possible be studying how to comunicate with others,as it is one thing practising yoga myself and another thing teaching it?
Dear Sri Paul,
Namaskar,
I am practising yoga for almost 15 years. I find your as well as Dr. Khanna’s articles informative and imparting additional knowledge. I am 63 and find myself fit, active and full of energy. It is all due to yoga. You see, I don’t ever feel the need of any tablet or injection. I am thankful to your team for propagating this knowledge to world.
Youirs,
Ashwani