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| hi, everyone. i am very new to yoga and this board. i've posted a couple of times and got really great supportive responses back. i've been reading some of the posts here and i'm a little concern. i was reading about the kundalini yoga and frankly that got me a little scared. i'm doing the bikram yoga. i've only gone four times so far. but someone said although bikram is mainly physical, that can also awaken the kundalini??.
i'm from a very conservative christian home and when i told my family that i've taken up yoga, they weren't exactly thrilled. i told them of my experience and to me bikram yoga is very physical and i'm not really meditating or chanting. but my family is convinced that these movements are a part of the whole package and that you can't separate the physical aspects of yoga from yoga in and of itself.
i don't mean to offend anyone. i think it's great if you're into experiencing all that yoga has to offer. but for me i'm only really interested in the health benefits that come from yoga. and i really need flexibility. i can't even grab my ankles people!!
i just wanted some insight from a more experienced members here. Thanks!!  | |
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| Okay this is a really HUGE subject that you need to decide for yourself. That having been said, let me attempt to address some of your issues. I also come from a very conservative christain home, and have struggled with some of the same issues. Frankly, it's still an issue after many years of going back and forth about it.
You should do what you feel is best for you.
trishanne - 2005-10-23 7:15 PMbut someone said although bikram is mainly physical, that can also awaken the kundalini??.
Weeelllll Kundalini is a huge subject in an of itself with a lot of disagreement on what it means, how it manifests, etc. To some degree it's a matter of dealing with the life energies already inherent in your, and everybody elses, bodies. Yoga, and a number of other normal physical and mental exercises will strength your body's energy as part of the physical development.
Frankly I wouldn't worry about it, spontanoues Kundalini raising are very rare. They're also found in all religions, including Christianity, so there's nothing inherently Hindu about it. Take a look at the lives of some of the saints, and you'll see similiar descriptions.
i'm not really meditating or chanting.
Okay, the real issue here is whether or not you're following God's path for your life, living as a "true" christain. If you look at the Christian tradition, there is also meditation, and chanting. I'd advise you to do the research yourself to the point that you become comfortable with it. For example, Benadictine monks often chant, and spend hours in pray and contemplation/meditation.
If you don't feel comfortable with anything thats going in the studio, such as paying respect to various Hindu dieties, DON'T! IMHO, it's a rose of another name, from traditions that pre-date Christianity, but your feeling/faith may differ. If your studio doesn't respect you decision to not bow before strange idols, find another one that will. Good yoga teachers will know exactly where you're coming from, and respect your decision.
but my family is convinced that these movements are a part of the whole package and that you can't separate the physical aspects of yoga from yoga in and of itself.
That is a really big question. If you look at any of the Yoga sutras, they will tell you that the purpose of Yoga asanas is to prepare the body for meditating. The exercises, and stretching routines are built with this in mind, much like the exercises you get with the martial arts are designed to increase your kicks and punches, or running makes it easier to run. That having been said, meditation is a common denominator in ALL major religions. (What do you think Jesus was doing out in the wilderness for 40 days and 40 nights?)
Edited by GreenJello 2005-10-23 8:01 PM
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 2479
  
Location: A Blue State | This is really a topic for the philosophy and religion forum. You'll find quite a bit of
discussion there about christianity and yoga.
My bottom line? If you are comfortable in your own beliefs, it doesn't matter what you are
exposed to. And if you have an open mind, then you can just weigh what you encounter
against what you've encountered previously. For the most part, people teaching yoga
aren't at all interested in messing with your religious beliefs. Most american yoga teachers
are teaching with no religious perspective at all. Those that are usually make it clear
what they are doing, and if you don't like it you go to a different teacher.
So far as your practice of Bikram yoga, you have nothing to be concerned about.
It's an exercise class, with various opportunities for stilling the mind between asanas.
There's no religious content to Bikram yoga AT ALL. No philosophy, no "Om", no
surrender to a high power, no Yoga Sutras, no Patanjali, no Svatmara, no nothing.
But you can buy Bikram's book, and his CD, and a hat with a Bikram logo on it.
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| Trishanne:
Here I am answering your question. For you to know whether I am experienced in Yoga, you can decide that yourself, if you need the information, feel free to visit www.authenticyoga.org and click on Neel Kulkarni and then Detailed Resume. Now, my answer to your question, correct me if I understood your question.
Your question: Do I need Yoga if I am interested in only physical benefit mainly of flexibility.
Answer: NO. You do not need Yoga at all for this.
If you have any other question, please feel free to ask.
Neel Kulkarni
www.authenticyoga.org | |
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| Thanks everyone. It's just a little overwhelming and there's so much to consider and learn. It was really hard for me to take that first step because my family was not at all supportive. But I'm glad I did. And just like any newbie at any subject, I'm just full of questions and uncertainty. But I really appreciate this board and everyone for taking your time out and sharing your knowledge and exprience!!! Believe me I'll probably drive you guys nuts w/all the questions  | |
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| Bay Guy - 2005-10-23 6:52 PM
So far as your practice of Bikram yoga, you have nothing to be concerned about.
It's an exercise class, with various opportunities for stilling the mind between asanas.
There's no religious content to Bikram yoga AT ALL. No philosophy, no "Om", no
surrender to a high power, no Yoga Sutras, no Patanjali, no Svatmara, no nothing.
I think this really hits the nail on the head as far why Bikram Yoga studios are booming these days. Mr Choudhury knows that a HUGE chunk of Westerners are willing to take up yoga in order to get the "physical" benefits, but wouldn't ever even think about stepping foot into a yoga class if it contained the spirituality, historical and the philosophical aspects of what yoga really is in it's fullest traditional form. I know quite a few people that love Bikram Yoga and aside from how it makes them feel physically, a lot seem to share this common notion of "Oh, I enjoy Bikram classes because I don't want to walk into a yoga studio and be told how to live my life - I'm just there for the health benefits." I think many people out there feel this way, and Mr Choudhury has really capitalized on it in this particular niche market.
So Trishanne, if you want to increase flexibility, yes yoga will help. There are other types of yoga out there too that will give you what you're looking for, without all the aspects you don't feel comfortable with (e.g. the chanting and meditation - as you mentioned in your original post). If you want support from people in your life that are not supportive of your practice, perhaps you could look at that as an opportunity to educate them about the health benefits that you're getting by having taken up this form fo exercise. And I do think it's possible to separate the physical benefits from the "...whole package...", as you mentioned in your original post, if that's what you want to do. I'd say stick with the classes you're attending now if they're making you feel better.
Pablo Domene Lee
http://www.pablodomenelee.com
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| I think the others have put it very well. Yoga does include meditation, chanting and awakening the spirit. You do not have to partake of these aspects. I would say that you would be missing out however - personal view only; I find chanting induces a state of deep relaxation for example. Aside : my list of chants include a Native American one so this practise is indeed, multi-cultural!
Many Christian traditions include these same practises and for the same reasons. The language describing these practises in yoga often sounds a little off to western ears simply because the reasons for their practise tend to be offered from the Hindu perspective when we are more familiar with the Christian teachings, whether we, ourselves, are religious or not.
As far as your fmaily are concerned, perhaps you need to focus more on explaining the physical benefits of asana practise and say that the form you are following does not include aspects of Hindu mystacism?
Fee
trishanne - 2005-10-24 4:03 AM
Thanks everyone. It's just a little overwhelming and there's so much to consider and learn. It was really hard for me to take that first step because my family was not at all supportive. But I'm glad I did. And just like any newbie at any subject, I'm just full of questions and uncertainty. But I really appreciate this board and everyone for taking your time out and sharing your knowledge and exprience!!! Believe me I'll probably drive you guys nuts w/all the questions | |
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| Then there's the original Christian yoga, the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. Don't really know much about them, but supposedly they're very similar to eastern yoga, and date from the middle ages. You can probably find them on the web some where. | |
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| Useful url for St Ignatius of Loyola :
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14224b.htm | |
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| I wish to add this after comments from others:
I am guessing that Trisshane's question mainly wanted to see how she can get ONLY flexibility from Yoga. And, then her family stated that she will NOT get ONLY f, but automatically will get other things. I agree with them. So, my answer is: It is impossible for her to get ONLY f and exclude everything else. This is because, she will possibly NOT find any class which shall only focus on her flexibility, unless may be, she takes a private class (that may be a good solution. Ask your family to pay for privates, that is it.) And, what is going to happen. After she gets her flexibility, she will be interested in other things. So, Trisshane, depending on her age, responsibility, dependence on family, and her other philosophy has to make a decision:
a) what she really wants
b) what communication she would like to do with family or others
c) how to take the class, mostly private
d) Accept the Ignorance or Lack of other things when only flexibility is reached.
Neel Kulkarni
www.authenticyoga.org | |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
 
| trishanne - you have received some great advice her. I think your kundalini is safe with Bikram  My cheeky answer to the chanting issue? I sing Twinkle, twinkle Little Star to my kids at work a lot. It so far hasn't turned me into an astronaut. And invoking Patanjali before practice has not made me a Hindu either. A good solid 5 minutes of chanting OM is great for clearing sinuses, too! | |
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| Im going on a bit of a guess here...but im thinking her parents are under the assumption that if she is to meditate she is opening her mind/body up to demonic posession, which of course is not good.
Thankfully the vatican is now giving excorscism classes, which cover issues such as these....so im sure with that knowledge your parents will be more than willing to let you meditate.....even though you DONT.... 
On a side note, you may find ( and perhaps not with bikram... ) that you will be more open to meditation the longer you practice yoga....in fact you may not even know you are in a medititative state when you are focusing your mind so hard into putting your body in that elusive pose....you'll come out and be like...Oh my, i just meditated while getting into and holding that pose....w00t... | |
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| I'm always so surprized how such a positive, if not benign, form of movement like yoga can be so controversial.
I feel very sad for you, Trishanne. It must be pretty stressful to have parents like that. I believe in Jesus just like the next Jesus-believing person and I have nothing but terrific things to say about yoga.
If you read through a variety of these threads you'll notice that the hard-core, veteran yoginis and yogis (I do not have the arrogance to put myself in that category) maintain very peaceful and loving mindsets. I'm sure they'll be going to heaven just like the rest of us Jesus-loving-people.
I don't advocate lying to your parents but one could describe yoga as advanced stretching. Hint Hint...
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 5098
Location: Somewhere in the Mountains of Western NC | Uh, hello, I am a Bikram person and I chant mantra's, I go to Hindu temples and worship dieties, I study Vedanta Philosophy, I read the Gita and the Upinashads and I do poojas.
There is one thing that really clicks in my mind about one of Bikram Choudhury's quotes about his yoga. He said something to the effect that it didn't matter about the spirituality part because after you got your feet wet and in the door with his program, all of the spirituality would come later and that he did not need to preach/teach that aspect of yoga. To me, that was very profound and it allows you to have an independent practice - be okay with where you are - which is what yoga is really all about. That is very comforting to a person like me who trained with some really screwed up minds when it came to other types yoga and the concepts. I think what has happened is due to all the controversy surrounding Bikram that people have twisted those words around in a negative way. Thank goodness I am capable enough of seeing the truth of what Bikram was trying to convey, due to my personal experiences in this yoga realm, if you will. People sometimes have a nasty habit of only seeing what they want to see - especially where Bikram is concerned. Oh well. | |
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| I believe that practicing asana will change your state of mind and perhaps incline you to meditation. I do not believe that it will incline you to Hinduism if you are comfortable with your Christianity. In fact, if you are not comfortable with the idea of meditation, try praying (to the Christian God and Christ) after your asana practice. I suspect the asana practice will produce for you a state of mind conducive to prayer. If you would like to say a silent prayer in yoga class, during savasana, this is an appropriate thing to do imho.
Then tell your family to put that in their pipe & smoke it | |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 5098
Location: Somewhere in the Mountains of Western NC | Hi Laura, I wasn't implying that anyone become a Hindu. What I am saying that practicing Yoga eventually will enhance whatever you decide to do and whatever religion you choose to do as well. This includes being more Christlike and mindful of others.
As for telling your family to put it in their pipe and smoke it...that might not be so good and is not honoring others where they are at. Even as obnoxious as they can be, if you practice Yoga long enough you can even manage to be around difficult people and rise above them without having to stoop to their level by telling them off or to go smoke their pipes. When my Father and his wife gave me that obnoxious book to read this weekend that attacked yoga and everything else I like to do, I just smiled and said, "Thank you, I can't wait to read this and see what it's all about". I always try to understand where someone else is coming from even though I may not be where they are at. Just because I sincerely want to understand what they are experiencing does not mean that I share their views, I just can relate to them - where they are without having to compromise myself or be phony about it. This takes a lot of practice and is how I like to practice. Which IMO, is being yogic-like too, | |
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| Reminds me of a quote (Churchill?) :
You should always forgive your enemies as nothing annoys them more.
Fee | |
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| Orbilia - 2005-10-25 6:27 AMReminds me of a quote (Churchill?) :You should always forgive your enemies as nothing annoys them more.Fee
Who was quoting the bible. All that turn the other cheek stuff isn't as lovey-dovey as you might think.
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| Thanks GreenJello, always like to get to the source on these things
Fee | |
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| yoga is only dangerous if you are practicing in a skimpy top in the same room as the men of yoga.com. | |
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| yes, Anya, that is very, very dangerous LoL!!
Edited by trishanne 2005-10-25 3:00 PM
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| After reading a lot of posts here, i've come to the conclusion that hey, i like yoga.
i like the way i feel after a good class. i always look forward to my next session.
and i don't feel that my personal beliefs have been compromised in any way.
i think i need to stop worrying and just enjoy it!! if it makes me happy, how can it be bad. right??
i'm sure my family will see in time that it's not something weird.
i'll show them what yoga really is  | |
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| anya sharvani - 2005-10-25 2:01 PMyoga is only dangerous if you are practicing in a skimpy top in the same room as the men of yoga.com.
Hey! I resemble that remark! I would never take advantage of a woman who didn't want me to take advantage of her.
I'm also big talk, little walk. ;)
So any woman who would like somebody to take advantage of them, let me know.
trishanne - Sounds like you've got the right idea. Unfortunately a lot of fundamentalists (of all bents, not just religious) seem to think that knowledge itself is inherently corrupting. They also seem to be the people most interested in controlling the people around them. So it IS corrupting, at least to their power base.
It's a good thing that you're thinking for yourself, and attempting to get opinions from a wide variety of sources.
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 2479
Location: A Blue State | anya sharvani - 2005-10-25 2:01 PM
yoga is only dangerous if you are practicing in a skimpy top in the same room as the men of yoga.com.
I object to that!!! Some potential follow-on comments (can't decide which so I'll just
post the lot):
If you've seen one boob, you've seen 'em all. So nah!
I would simply admire your lovely boob and then go on with my yoga.
I am too focused on my practice to pay any attention to your boob.
I have Janet Jackson superbowl photos, so what else would I ever need to look at?
Monastic answer: I never practice around women, so that my thoughts can remain pure.
Muslim answer: I never practice around women because they are too distracting.
Southern Utah Polygamist answer: I never practice around women because I would
have to leave them barefoot and pregnant if I did.
My wife's boobs are more beautiful than yours, so nah! (Guess who's reading over my
shoulder!)
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| bad guy, you are so clever!! you brought a smile to my face | |
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| Bay Guy - 2005-10-25 9:28 PMIf you've seen one boob, you've seen 'em all. So nah!
Still working on that one. I've seen quite a few, but I don't think I've seen enough to be fully confident in that theory...... I'm working very diligently on the problem.
I would simply admire your lovely boob and then go on with my yoga.
Is there a difference between the contemplation and the yoga? Sounds like an excellent chance to practice non-attachment to me!
Southern Utah Polygamist answer: I never practice around women because I would have to leave them barefoot and pregnant if I did.
I'm from Kentucky, we only do that sort of thing with kin-folk.
My wife's boobs are more beautiful than yours, so nah! (Guess who's reading over my shoulder! )
I think we need some proof.......
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| trishanne - 2005-10-25 3:08 PM
After reading a lot of posts here, i've come to the conclusion that hey, i like yoga.
i like the way i feel after a good class. i always look forward to my next session.
and i don't feel that my personal beliefs have been compromised in any way.
i think i need to stop worrying and just enjoy it!! if it makes me happy, how can it be bad. right??
i'm sure my family will see in time that it's not something weird.
i'll show them what yoga really is
With Bikram you shouldn't have any philosophical comments. If you try Baptiste power yoga and Iyengar there should be no conflict either. Gyms emphasize the physical practice also.
Most of my yoga instructors are practicing Christians. One told me "I love yoga, but it's not going to interfere with my religion.
Family members do come around. Got my son and daughter interested pretty quickly After three years my wife finally does some. She tried it with some praise and worship music last night and loved it.
If you're interested in yoga ideas in a Christian context try http://dailyword.com. It changes daily.
Edited by MrD 2005-10-26 12:05 AM
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| Methinks Bay Guy doth protesteth too much *ggg*
Fee
Edited by Orbilia 2005-10-26 5:09 AM
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
| In Iyengar yoga you will probably not hear much on the spiritual or philosophical aspects until you have moved from the beginner level, at least from the teachers I know. We do recite the Invocation but many teachers to do introduce it until Level II. As I type this I realize that there are those who would interpret this as "having a hidden agenda" but I feel it is more a case of allowing students to become comfortable with the physical aspects of yoga first so that they can comfortably choose whether or not to chant or become involved with philosophy. An elementary school teacher teaches ABC's and basic arithmetic and some students will go on to study quantum physics or Shakespeare, but there is no "hidden agenda" from the teacher creating an expectation that all of the students will go on to those studies, just preparation in case they do. | |
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| Glenda, that sounds very much like Iyengar himself. After having read his book, I've noticed that he spends a lot of time pointing, or implying things, rather than stating them right out loud. I have a lot of respect for that, since I seldom talk about such things. (Which is why I like to come here, it gives me an outlet)
I also think that most people have had enough exposure from popular culture to have a some idea (albeit a distorted one) of what to expect in a yoga studio.
I'm of two minds about the preparing students though. To some extent its like comparing the people who like to dip their toes in the pool first, and opposed to the people who jump into the deep-end. With my teacher, she like to push people into the deep end. Some people probably find it a bit overwelming, but at the same time I think it encourages people to speak out, and ask her questions.
Do you find that the people at the local studio are reluctant to ask questions, particulary about the more esoteric aspects?
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| I was told that I should not talk much philosophy and chanting and such at places like Gyms. To my surprise, they wanted it and enjoyed it, whereas almost no other teacher at that Gym was teaching these topics with some assumptions.
My feeling is that a teacher should teach what he/she feels should be given to those students as Yoga. Also, the teacher should know what studetns needs are such as how to do a pose, to build strength, etc. Teacher must NOT worry too much about what one particular student does NOT want. Now, if the teacher is a Corporate Slave, then he/she has to obey the manager, who may not know any Yoga.
Neel Kulkarni
www.authenticyoga.org | |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 2479
Location: A Blue State | tourist - 2005-10-26 10:31 AM
In Iyengar yoga you will probably not hear much on the spiritual or philosophical aspects until you have moved from the beginner level, at least from the teachers I know. We do recite the Invocation but many teachers to do introduce it until Level II. As I type this I realize that there are those who would interpret this as "having a hidden agenda" but I feel it is more a case of allowing students to become comfortable with the physical aspects of yoga first so that they can comfortably choose whether or not to chant or become involved with philosophy. An elementary school teacher teaches ABC's and basic arithmetic and some students will go on to study quantum physics or Shakespeare, but there is no "hidden agenda" from the teacher creating an expectation that all of the students will go on to those studies, just preparation in case they do.
I think that it's partly to avoid scaring people away...as we can see, there are folks who
think that yoga will lead you to selling Bhagavad Gitas in the airport, cutting your
hair funny, and taking on an Indian name that you did not get from your parents.
I am never very happy with efforts to put the camel's nose under the tent. As they
say, come in through the door, not the window. So......I started Iyengar yoga at a
level that included studies of the Yoga Sutras, and it was what I was looking
for, after having got my sanitized exposure to Hatha Yoga via Bikram. In other words,
nobody slipped it in while I was doing Uttanasana. I went there deliberately, with eyes
wide open.
Let's imagine yoga as something that is only physical, like soccer (or, properly, football).
Eventually, you get older or get an injury or a disability. Then you can't do it anymore,
and you've lost whatever it was that you got from it. I expect to get old and I can only
be realistic and imagine that a day will come when I can't do full arm balance or...but
I don't intend to lose my practice of yoga when that happens. Even when I can't move,
there will be Pranayama, or Dharana, or Dhyana, or... Samhadi. The practice of asana
is a vehicle, not a destination. | |
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| Dear Tourist and Bay Guy:
Let us see how many classes average we have attended. Whatever the style is. Then, let us visit all the levels of such a style, even as an onlooker. How many of them will be teaching Philosophy systematically at any level? How many of them shall teach chanting at any level?
So, I do not agree that it is a) for NOT scaring off people b) to start later, etc.
The fact is that: Each Style has certain elements which are taught, and they do NOT cover other elements.
I believe in teaching all the elements possible, as per the knowledge of the teacher.
Neel Kulkarni
www.authenticyoga.org | |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 2479
Location: A Blue State |
Dear Brother Neel,
The comments that Tourist and I made were only in reference to the Iyengar
style, which certainly does not introduce philosophy until the higher levels are
reached, and which certainly does teach philosophy at the higher levels.
Bay Guy
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| Dear BG:
Thanks for that response. Do you mean Higher Level Group classes? Also, in my personal opinion, Philosophy Class does not require Higher Level because most of the time, the levels are decided by how long a person can stay in headstand, etc. Any person is generally eligible for Philosophy Teaching. Of course, that is my opinion.
Neel Kulkarni
www.authenticyoga.org | |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 5098
Location: Somewhere in the Mountains of Western NC | I'm a good example for this conversation. I came into Bikram a couple of years AFTER I started studying Vedanta Philosophy and marrying my Hindu husband, and learning how to chant mantras and doing pooja. So, who says you have to be advanced to learn philosophy and who says you can't or won't have an interest to learn it just because you do Bikram style yoga asana's?? this is BS you guys. There are no rules to Yoga. Just because you had a bad time with Bikram or whatever, does not make it the rule.
I'll give you one more example. Several years ago after receiving some initiations from a high lama that was visiting from Tibet, later I walked into the middle of their Tibetan Buddhist Temple teaching and found myself in the advanced class. After being there for a couple of weeks at first, after listening to their idle chatter (which the guru instructed them NOT to do), I thought maybe I was in the wrong place. Well, it turned out later than I was in fact, NOT in the wrong place, I was more advanced than the students who had received teachings from High Lama's from all over the world, who thought and called themselves advanced students, I was a better practitioner than they as I had experience whereas they only had intellect.
So, be careful about how philosophy and how it should be taught. There are so many aspects to this and some people are already advanced more than you. | |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 8442
| GJ - there are people who are reluctant to ask and some that want to know everything right away. And everyone comes to class with a different background. Some are like Cyndi, with lots of philosophy and now want asana, some have "dabbled" and know a little and some are indeed jumping into their deep end just by signing up for asana class. We actually do put in little bits of philosophy here and there - more like background info I suppose, in beginners classes. Things like the meaning of OM, who Patanjali was, etc. As people progress, they tend to be more interested and come to workshops that talk more about philosophy. This means that one does not necessarily need to be able to hold a 5 minute headstand before they learn abut the yamas and niyamas  | |
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| I'm inclined to believe that it's self study. Most studios/gyms are built on an all-level, drop-in philosophy. Sure, serious students often commit to a studio, but most people squeeze random hatha classes into their busy everyday schedules - different studios, different times, etc.
For some people, hitting a few classes a week is enough. Other people like to be introduced to the bigger picture, by having concepts introduced as part of the teacher's dialogue. But it seems that the common path is: check out a class - start attending regularly - start reading and learning more about Yoga as a whole - hang out at online yoga message boards .
It's easy to find hatha classes. It takes more effort to find sutra studies, sanskrit, or even pranyama classes. | |
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Expert Yogi
Posts: 5098
Location: Somewhere in the Mountains of Western NC | Mitch,
Who is that man with BKS?? | |
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| The classes at Gym are meant for Fitness and that is well known. Even Gym authorities advertise that you shall receive fitness, NOT philosophy. So, one who wants Philosophy should consider NON GYM class.
Now, whether one should do Philosophy or not is a personal choice. And, one who wants Philosophy will automatically go for it. There is NO need for a teacher worry about it. What a teacher has to do: a) whether he/she has background to teach Philosophy b)whether he/she wants to teach it - Accepting that Teaching Philosophy has nothing to do with any levels or beginner or scaring off people, etc. c) And, then do accordingly. What a student has to do is: a) if NOT interested in Philosophy, do not go to Philosophy class. b) If interested in Philosophy, go where it is taught. c)if these two are impossible, adjust what is given, but NOT mix Philosophy with Hatha and Breathing, and such.
Neel Kulkarni
www.authenticyoga.org | |
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| Glenda - Sounds like a good approach. I personally started at the meditation/philosophy side of things, and moved into asanas/pranayam now that I'm getting a bit older. So far I've yet to hear anything that really blows me away on the philosophy side, so either I've already got a good grounding in it, or they don't feel I'm ready yet.
It's cool that your studio is offering seperate classes in the philosophy. The local teacher is talking about starting that sort of course, which would be neat, though I wonder how well attended it will be. Our local Jivamukti teacher is the only one who seems to talk about more than OM and nameste, and she always has a packed class. However, she also does amazing squences, so I'm not entirely sure it's the lecture at the beginning.
I guess I might be pleasantly surprised. Not many people would figure me for a yogi, what with my Iron Madien T-Shirt and all.
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| Cyndi - 2005-10-27 11:08 AM
Mitch,
Who is that man with BKS??
Cyndi,
It's Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois. BKS and SKPJ spent some time together to celebrate SKPJ's 90th birthday. The picture is from a recent Namarupa cover. | |
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| Cyndi - 2005-10-27 11:08 AMMitch,Who is that man with BKS??
Patabi Jois.
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| i was told i couldn't teach in my IM t-shirt.
i stopped working for them anyway. foo-foo women's gym.
i teach philosophy whereever i teach. when the gym or facility tells me to stop, i stop working for them. i've only had to do that twice (and once was a yoga studio--and i actually got fired but that's what i was looking for anyway. . .or whatever--same result).
Edited by zoebird 2005-10-27 4:31 PM
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| Good Zoebird. That is the way!
Neel Kulkarni
www.authenticyoga.org | |
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| zoebird - 2005-10-27 4:25 PMi was told i couldn't teach in my IM t-shirt.
Seems a bit pushy on their part. I'd have come in with a Punk Rock T-Shirt for something like the "Revolting Cocks", but then that's just me, I like to do what I'm told.
i teach philosophy whereever i teach. when the gym or facility tells me to stop, i stop working for them. i've only had to do that twice (and once was a yoga studio--and i actually got fired but that's what i was looking for anyway. . .or whatever--same result).
Well.... there's a time to teach, and a time not too. I personally don't like to discuss such things with people I don't know. I also don't think you're going to get anywhere talking to people who don't want to listen to your message. Since teaching the philosophical side of things is important to you, it's probably good that you left.
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is yoga dangerous??