| People start yoga for many reasons. They may | | | | position - without really finding out whether |
| want to increase their levels of health, | | | | a person has any injuries. And some simply do |
| fitness, and flexibility. Or improve their | | | | it too overzealously. A student in that |
| muscle tone. Reducing levels of stress and | | | | situation may feel that the 'teacher knows |
| anxiety are also high on the list, as is | | | | best'. But it's important to listen to your |
| personal development, and the desire to | | | | own body, and understand that not all yoga |
| follow a more spiritual path. Some may have a | | | | training is equal. And, not all teachers are |
| particular medical condition or health | | | | equal, in all areas, either. |
| problem they want to address. | | | | |
| | | | Some other things to consider when choosing a |
| One's reason for starting yoga may have a | | | | yoga teacher are: |
| bearing on both the type of yoga that makes a | | | | |
| 'best fit', as well as the particular teacher | | | | * Are they dogmatic? Do they push a certain |
| chosen within a yoga discipline. Whilst the | | | | philosophical or spiritual viewpoint? Is |
| different types of yoga obviously suit some | | | | there a subtle (or not so subtle) |
| aims better than others, the teacher you | | | | manipulation that implies that without their |
| practice with will also make a difference to | | | | 'guru', your spiritual evolution is on shaky |
| achieving what you want with yoga. Or not. | | | | ground. In fact, do they suggest that you |
| | | | 'need' a guru (their guru) as a 'guide' in |
| Foe example, if you have a specific medical | | | | matters of spirituality because your own |
| condition, it would be better to informally | | | | connection to Source-God isn't good enough. |
| interview prospective yoga teachers | | | | In other words, are they suggesting you place |
| beforehand. First, to find out which classes | | | | your power outside of yourself, or do they |
| might be suitable, and to see whether that | | | | reiterate that you in fact are your own |
| teacher has a real grasp of what the | | | | guide, and can get their quite well under |
| condition or problem implies for a yoga | | | | your own steam. |
| practice. Some people, whether they are yoga | | | | |
| teachers or not, have a more rigid outlook, | | | | * Are they (or the prominent representatives |
| and may not be able to appreciate that a | | | | of their yoga discipline) overly concerned |
| flexible approach in such circumstances is | | | | with money, fame, power, the size of their |
| important. Or, they may not have sufficient | | | | organization, or their degree of influence? |
| training or experience. Perhaps they are even | | | | If they (the organization) certify yoga |
| too busy to be available in a more personal | | | | teachers, how long do the teachers have to |
| way. | | | | train for? What are they trained in and what |
| | | | aren't they taught about? |
| When choosing a yoga teacher, it's important | | | | |
| to use your intuition. And to understand that | | | | * How well does the teacher embody the basic |
| we, as individuals, may not find our needs | | | | spiritual qualities of compassion, kindness, |
| met by a class even if others do. Some | | | | peace, joy, and equanimity? Whilst we are all |
| teachers are more nurturing than others, some | | | | beings at various stages of the journey, it |
| are more focused on the spiritual aspects of | | | | helps to look at a teacher's character, and |
| yoga (which may or may not align with our own | | | | ethics. No-one needs to be perfect, but what |
| spiritual outlook). Some perform adjustments | | | | qualities, of themselves, are they bringing |
| - which is where a teacher will use their | | | | to class. |
| bodyweight to help you go further into a | | | | |