Student/teacher relationship

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#21

[QUOTE=lotusgirl;83798]If your idea of yoga is for fitness and your fitness instructor sees herself as such, then as pointed out by Suhas, it is no different than going to a gym. And while there are many teachers of yoga who teach only “fitness” yoga, I think the majority teach “Yoga.” I don’t see Yoga as being diluted, but actually the opposite. I see a movement to bring Yoga back to its roots in the West. How do you view Yoga? Your answer will guide you to handling this situation.

I think you have received very good offerings from the contributors of this thread. Some may be difficult to embrace, but nonetheless a perspective that needs to be considered.

As a teacher of Yoga, it is my responsibility to guide my students and assist them on their journey. A good teacher will foster a sense of community where a safe place to practice is created and communication is open and honest. There are no hidden agendas. Yamas and Niyamas are are taken seriously, discussed and practiced. Intentions of both teacher and student should be clear and not open to interpretation. If one of my students has been out for some time, I most definitely will write or call them. But usually this never happens as they will communicate when they need to miss class. Is this unusual? I can’t say if it is or not. This is my experience.

Yogamark was simply answering the question in your last paragraph based upon his experience.

Unless your teacher has conveyed that her intention is romantic in nature, accept that she does genuinely care for you as a student and thus her concern was appropriate in the context of a “teacher-student” relationship.[/QUOTE]

OK, so let me get this straight:

  • I ask an innocent question, and I am told that I am “not following yoga properly”, as if you are the supreme yoga authority

  • You criticise me and lecture me for seeing yoga as merely fitness, when yes it’s “bad” to be influenced by society. I’m a human being, so per that rationale I must stop speaking and abstracting.

  • The tone of the person above is highly dismissive, as if she thinks my point is categorically irrelevant. ha ha… who is she to determine this? I thought the spiritual gods promoted kindness at all times lol… I am just one human being, I don’t deem anything absolutely wortwhile or not.

#22

Namismybabe,

You posted a question and you got answers. I don’t see my tone as dismissive or critical and I’m sorry you do. Was simply offering a teachers perspective.

Best of luck to you.

#23

Wow, Namismybabe you must live a hard life, taking offense so easily from wise and well-meaning folks! Just continue practicing and all will come to you.

#24

[QUOTE=Aurora B;83809]Wow, Namismybabe you must live a hard life, taking offense so easily from wise and well-meaning folks! Just continue practicing and all will come to you.[/QUOTE]

Hard? Not really. I have all that I truly need.

Though I don’t “need” people telling me what “true” yoga is.

#25

[QUOTE=lotusgirl;83808]Namismybabe,

You posted a question and you got answers. I don’t see my tone as dismissive or critical and I’m sorry you do. Was simply offering a teachers perspective.

Best of luck to you.[/QUOTE]

I don’t like people telling me my point is worthless.

I don’t see where you obtain the authority to do this, nor proclaim this as the absolute standard.

#26

Namismybabe,

You have 10 posts in this thread and 33 "I"s.

#27

In general there is certain intensity behind namismybabe’s words, along with it comes a curiosity of what source generates such energy, alas (s)he may be on the verge of being chased off. BTW namismybabe Yoga (assuming there is a doer) is an effort to bring oneself in union/yoke from that which they’ve never been separate, realization of true inner nature…it does this through skillful technique and comprehensive methodologies that allows expansion of consciousness therefore whatever works would be considered Yoga, there are as many types Yoga as there are humans, the method you are practicing here falls under the category of J?āna yoga. Since individual human conditions have finite existence it may be difficult to reinvent the wheel (a personal method of Yoga) in ones’ lifespan perhaps a more prudent means may be to utilize the expansion of human consciousness from others’ endeavors and tailor it for ones needs, therefore it’s up to the so called seeker to decide which Yoga’s best suits their disposition, meanwhile it seems perfectly sensible, even though it appears hard-nosed, to question until something resonates with you before attempting trial and error, even if you don’t make many friends doing it. It doesn’t seem like anyone is trying to jerk your chain and even if there were you can’t control what they do but you can control how you react.

#28

a teacher should be a friend no more no less .
teach as a friend

from krishnamachayra
Blessings

#29

[QUOTE=ray_killeen;83823]In general there is certain intensity behind namismybabe?s words, along with it comes a curiosity of what source generates such energy, alas (s)he may be on the verge of being chased off. BTW namismybabe Yoga (assuming there is a doer) is an effort to bring oneself in union/yoke from that which they?ve never been separate, realization of true inner nature?it does this through skillful technique and comprehensive methodologies that allows expansion of consciousness therefore whatever works would be considered Yoga, there are as many types Yoga as there are humans, the method you are practicing here falls under the category of J?āna yoga. Since individual human conditions have finite existence it may be difficult to reinvent the wheel (a personal method of Yoga) in ones? lifespan perhaps a more prudent means may be to utilize the expansion of human consciousness from others’ endeavors and tailor it for ones needs, therefore it?s up to the so called seeker to decide which Yoga?s best suits their disposition, meanwhile it seems perfectly sensible, even though it appears hard-nosed, to question until something resonates with you before attempting trial and error, even if you don?t make many friends doing it. It doesn?t seem like anyone is trying to jerk your chain and even if there were you can?t control what they do but you can control how you react.[/QUOTE]

I don’t believe that.

#30

[QUOTE=namismybabe;83829]I don’t believe that.[/QUOTE]

Excellent?don?t believe it, confirm it.

#31

Well I also write sales copy as a side business.

The teacher in question seems to be developing a growing business, but I want to advance my side business to earn extra income. She has an e-mail listing, in which she highlights the benefits of yoga.

I don’t have many clients as yet, but don’t want to push this as it will look as if I’m being too forward. I’m not sure if I should ask or not.

#32

Well I found out she is a Hindu lately. Well in honesty, I suspected that for a while since she has some classes in (presumably) her local mandir (which is a Hindu temple).

Divail is soon and I asked her on Facebook what she usually does. She said she and her family have a get together with neighbours. Part of me is saying if I should ask if I can go, the other part is saying “look, she’s not your friend, so is it worth it?”