Yogis and Yoginis I have a question

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

I’ve been teaching Sivananda Hatha Yoga since I came out of TTC in June '10. I love teaching this style. I’ve actually been studying it since '99. I understand the benefits of it and I love what it can do for people. I’m finding that more people want the “athletic yoga” or “ashtanga” vs Hatha. I’m not in this that my yoga is better than your yoga, but I want to know where this line has developed and how to go about teaching in a positive manner. I’ve been told to change my class. I’ve been told that there is too much this and too much that. I’ve been told much. Now I was working in a studio that primarily only did ashtanga. All I heard from the owner was ashtanga is for ‘A’ Type personality. I really do not get this. I’ve never been around ashtanga yoga and wonder if this is everyone? Does everyone truly believe you have to be ‘A’ Type personality to do Ashtanga? I thought Ashtanga was suppose to do the same as hatha yoga and even is Hatha yoga. But I need to understand why its so difficult for people to come to the Sivananda Hatha Class?

I’m looking to see if anyone else has problems teaching as well? Tell me your stories of difficulties and how you handled it!! I absolutely love teaching. I am no longer teaching at this studio for the ongoing confusing and negative vibrations I have received for over 8 months. I felt it was the best thing for me and my teaching.

Many Thanks and gratitude
Namaste’

#2

AlohaNeen,

One will first have to understand that what is often called “Ashtanga” yoga in the West is just a tremendous distortion of something else which is entirely different. “Ashtanga” yoga, simply means eight limbed yoga, it refers to a systematic process in the expansion of consciousness towards one’s awakening. Most of the work is centered around meditation.

As everything else which has been imported from the outside, the West has simply distorted this to fulfill the desires of the marketplace. And because the mind of the West is such, that one’s whole consciousness has been revolving around the body, yoga has been adapted according to this. So the “ashtanga yoga” which you will find everywhere in the West has been reduced to mere physical exercise.

“I thought Ashtanga was suppose to do the same as hatha yoga and even is Hatha yoga.”

The so called hatha yoga is ordinary just used as preparation for eight limbed yoga, where the work of meditation begins. Because not everybody can sit immediately for meditation, the mind has a whole history of programming behind it. So all of the various postures, breathing exercises, kriyas, bandhas, mudras, all are just various different methods to help create an inner atmosphere so that once you start dealing with the mind directly in meditation, the process is going to be far more friendly and natural.

But even limited to hatha yoga, that too has lost it’s essence. Because the whole approach of hatha yoga is to manipulate the energies of the body in such a way, that it awakens the Kundalini energy which starts ascending the spinal cord towards the top of the brain, activating each of the chakras in turn. Once the kundalini reaches a small gap of space between the two brain hemispheres, then one enters into a direct experience of the original nature of the mind. So even with hatha yoga, it’s spirit is entirely different than what has happened in the West. The body is just used as a skillful means towards one’s enlightenment.

I am not certain what the person you have spoken to has meant by “grade A” personality. But generally those kinds of people who are practicing the “ashtanga yoga” in the West, are of an atheletic type who are simply interested in an intense workout.

#3

[QUOTE=AmirMourad;51862]

One will first have to understand that what is often called “Ashtanga” yoga in the West is just a tremendous distortion of something else which is entirely different. “Ashtanga” yoga, simply means eight limbed yoga, it refers to a systematic process in the expansion of consciousness towards one’s awakening. Most of the work is centered around meditation.[/QUOTE]

This is exactly what I was taught in Sivananda Hatha Yoga. We are preparing our mind and body for meditation. I’ve explained this my students. Usually I get…“We are meditating?” I tell them no not during this class because then class would be more than 90 minutes long: more 2-3 hrs long. But I’ve tried my best to explain this to my students. But I sense it might be the owner’s doing.

[QUOTE=AmirMourad;51862] But even limited to hatha yoga, that too has lost it’s essence. Because the whole approach of hatha yoga is to manipulate the energies of the body in such a way, that it awakens the Kundalini energy which starts ascending the spinal cord towards the top of the brain, activating each of the chakras in turn. Once the kundalini reaches a small gap of space between the two brain hemispheres, then one enters into a direct experience of the original nature of the mind. So even with hatha yoga, it’s spirit is entirely different than what has happened in the West. The body is just used as a skillful means towards one’s enlightenment.
[/QUOTE]

I’m blessed to have been taught by the Sivananda Organization. I believe I was taught the true nature of yoga and the self!! I am understanding this more and more everyday!

I appreciate your response! And feel it was necessary for me to know more! I was finding myself very angry at times in this studio. But I’ve meditated on this and realized that I did not need to reach people in this atmosphere. I am still going to teach what I was taught.

#4

Hello Christine,

I’d like to spend more time actually addressing your issue than discussing the semantics of Ashtanga. So for that purpose let me simply say that there is a physical practice of asana which uses the name Ashtanga (as taught by Pattabhi Jois and his students) AND there is a path of eight limbs outlined by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. This is very basic stuff and I apologize for covering that which I am certain you already know.

The physical practice was established as a method of asana to occupy the furtive mind of adolescent boys. As all great teachers do, the practice here was tailored to the students, their nature, their needs. Because of the societal choices we have made the furtive mind is no longer limited to adolescents. Ergo there people who need a more frisky practice.

However I personally do not believe it is helpful for a highly strung person to have a practice that adds fuel to a burning fire. Until we are otherwise taught, we seem to wander about looking only for that which fits what we are rather than thaat which may balance what we are. It is why students burn out, go off the deep end, get ill, etcetera. Imbalance in disharmony are not distant cousins but rather siblings.

As a teacher I realize there are two basic studio constructs in which to teach. The first is where the offerings are varied to cater to the whims of a consumer. Such a studio offers everything under the sun - as long as the classes are filling. The other sort is a studio that offers one type of teaching or a common thread (sutra). There, the variance in the practice requires two things; a malleability in the practice itself AND the depth of training of the teacher such that she/he can do many things for the students. Several notable practice are fixed and offer very little malleability.

When you are teaching in a particular style it can take time to magnetize the students who thirst for that teaching. That is far easier when you are a) working to refine your teaching, b) doing your own practice, and c) in an environment that is supportive of what you are sharing. Please DO take feedback on your teaching (from credible, reliable, sound sources) and process them for your growth. Please DO NOT let someone tell you how to teach or what your truth should be.

Be clear in your teaching both inside of yourself and in delivery and the students who want it will find you.

#5

Gordon,
Thank you so much!! The interesting thing in this…the 8 months I’ve been teaching I’ve 2 people specifically looking for Sivananda practice. But the owner was not very keen on picking up this detail!! Now I’m well aware that her teachings and operation of the studio itself was one that offered more chaos then good!! I’m not judging at all, but trying to understand what was going on was the hardest part. Since I’ve told her I’m no longer going to teach there…so much has opened up. This was a test for me. I mean I did learn so much about my teaching style. And to this I give great thanks. Yoga is a journey. Yoga is a journey for the individual as well as the teacher! I will definitely take your advice on where I should get my feedback from. Again thank you very much!!

#6

For me Chistine, the aha moment was during a sit-down with the studio owner and the director. When asked how things were going I said “Great. People’s lives are being affected”. The puzzled, blank stares that followed cannot be fully described by words. They actually appeared to have no idea what I was talking about.

Of course it should be mentioned that while the studio owner practiced in a style that forbade alcohol said owner tended to pop out for margaritas with students after class - an indication my expectations were far too high in terms of ethics, integrity, and practice. My mistake.

#7

That’s exactly what this woman did!! She wanted to be friends with her students and have wine Friday practice!! Now don’t get me wrong I’ve done some silly things when I was younger…I did start yoga at 24. But I’ve opened my eyes. I do not say give up on anything. That’s not my space to say that to anyone, but I really do not believe a party and yoga should mix. does that make sense? I think there were so many more things going on that I really do not know about!! And again, this is another reason I chose to leave!! But because I do not know much about Ashtanga yoga I felt…perhaps this is the way all practitioners act? Again not being judgemental just trying to find the “real” when I do not know much about it!! Although, I think I do!! :wink:

#8

Integrity means teaching what you practice and practicing what you teach.
It means that I do not hold back teachings from my students (things I’m doing in my living) nor do I teach something I am not at all living.

The teacher’s living and the teachers teachings have to be in accord.

#9

Gordon,
Thank you so much!! I very much appreciate your input on this subject.

#10

Is there a Sivananda Centre in your area? There’s normally a community of teachers at these Centers and Ashrams, who have been through the same challenges you mention. There are many Sivananda teachers who are very successful in their teaching. I’m sure they’d be willing to share with you in person.

I remember a close friend of mine, an excellent Sivananda teacher, starting out in gyms. She’d say ‘Om’ and instantly a few people would get up and leave. I advised my friend to keep teaching what she believes in, from her heart. The class numbers fell from about 40 to a group of 12 who came every week. Eventually, they approached the teacher and asked her, ‘What is this? Its so different. We feel relaxed. We love the chanting. No one in town teaches this.’ My friend is now a successful, full time teacher.

We live in a society where people feel they have to be an aggressive, hyper active ‘A type personality’ in order to survive. Many are unable or unwilling to take down this brittle shield.
The true power and healing in yoga and martial arts comes from relaxation. But people have been conditioned to think otherwise.
I’ll now make a controversial statement, some of the present popular westernized forms of yoga, to a certain extent caters and conforms to this mis-conditioning. There’s money to be made in yoga, and the quickest way to do it is to provide a work out, which guarantees calorie loss and a small pair of buttocks.

If any teacher starts to challenge this commercialism, to start off with you might have difficulty taking off. Iyengar initially made such little money as a teacher, he had difficulty in feeding his family. I believe that any teacher who is fearlessly committed to the practice, will only become successful on the long run.

If your heart is in the teachings of Swami Sivananda and that is what you wish to share with others, then go for it.

#11

Terence,
thank you for your response!! Unfortunately, there is not a Center close to me!! I’m the only authentic Sivananda Hatha Yoga Teacher. I’ve 2 people in the 8 months actually seek me out for the Sivananda practice. I’ve tried contacting our teacher that trained us during TTC, but she’s much too busy to answer my questions. But if you read the reviews on Trip Advisor about the Ashram I went to in the Bahamas…people either LOVE the practice or HATE the practice. So I’m not so upset over the numbers of students that show up. Actually I much prefer this, as I feel I can give every student his/her attention. But again perhaps this is the biggest issue…is the confusion between yoga and exercise. I am planning more trainings trainings in the future; vinyasa flow and my 500 in Sivananda! I’m heading back to the Ashram in the Bahamas for Thai Yoga Massage training, once I return I’ll play it by ear if I’ll be teaching Sivananda. Once I return, I will hopefully understand more my role as a teacher! Perhaps I just needed to take a break? Not sure!!

Again, I appreciate your true words!! Thank you!
Namaste’