What is Real Yoga?

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#21

Yoga4Life: "I appreciate your understanding of Yoga, actually Great Yogi’s in Himalayas and other parts of India never ask for anything for helping people and society. "

Actually that’s not quite accurate - though I must point out I was not “there” at least not in this body.

The student absolutely served the teacher in all ways. It was a life dedicated to service in exchange for teaching.

Today it is not the teacher who is so different as many of us would be willing to share yoga for no payment at all - presuming the students would feed our families, pay our rent and wash our clothes.

#22

A yoga instructor earning living by teaching yoga is doing a great job if he/she can help more and more people to lead better lives by adopting yoga. Is that phony or funny?

#23

[quote=InnerAthlete;11700]
Today it is not the teacher who is so different as many of us would be willing to share yoga for no payment at all - presuming the students would feed our families, pay our rent and wash our clothes.[/quote]
I am going to start sending my clients on their way with both their home practices and my whites from now. Fantastic!
And skip the starch please :wink:

#24

Our “phony” friend who started this “thread” is very absent, would like to know what he/she has to say about all these “phony” replies here. One would expect some decency and reciprocity from the only “non-phony” yogi in the world.

#25

He no longer has a membership here after some discussion between him and the moderators and administrators.

#26

Thanks Nichole, I gather that much:) Pitty, I would have love to read his replies to all these posts. Would have made interesting reading.:wink:

#27

[quote=InnerAthlete;11700]Actually that’s not quite accurate - though I must point out I was not “there” at least not in this body.

The student absolutely served the teacher in all ways. It was a life dedicated to service in exchange for teaching.

Today it is not the teacher who is so different as many of us would be willing to share yoga for no payment at all - presuming the students would feed our families, pay our rent and wash our clothes.[/quote]

Yes, you are right. Even today if you visit any traditional ashram or gurukul this tradition is still there. I don’t think that serving a teacher can be a compensation for fee or money.

Traditional yoga gurus ensured that the disciple is fit to learn and deserves it. A student used to serve every wish of a teacher. I think this was like ground work. A student had to overcome ego, learns to obey, serve and respect his elders. These Gurus and teachers weren’t rich or enjoyed any comfortable life (when compared to comforts provided by money).

Today what is commonly known as Yoga is bridged edition of Hatha Yoga, Yoga for physical welfare. People skip the basics (yamas, niyamas) completely. Even when people learn this, this is limited to understanding or knowing its theory only. A single step of Yama or Niyama can take years to master (become Siddh).

#28

Yoga is Yoga… real for the one who is practicing it…experiencing it…
Its possible to teach yoga without taking money… but that’s totally a personal choice…

#29

When the teacher’s karma is in unison with the world’s karma, everything is possible.

I do not teach, but I serve. I design buildings. I like to do it, and I am doing it to my best knowledge. I serve reason, beauty, I serve the environment, both physical, spiritual, and human, through my buildings. When you do your job with affection, love, and care, money will come, too.
Money should never be the main reason for any activity. It should be a currency between what you provide, and what you recieve in return.
Good service is when the client feels sorry that he/she can reward you only with money. The best payment is the gratitude of the people you serve … money is just a clumsy way for them to make your existence possible.
Yoga students should be aware of the fact that they do not pay for yoga. Real yoga can’t be payed, because it is selfless service. The yoga teacher teaches because he/she can do it, and there is a dire need for his/her wisdom. There is a dire need for his/her presence.
You know you did find a good teacher, when you’d give your shirt only to be near him. Be such a teacher, find such a teacher.