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I gave myself a gift today on Father’s day. The owner of Sundance Yoga Studio where I practice was kind enough to give me a key to the studio, so today, I let myself in for a little practice of my own. She recently had four tapastries installed on one of the walls in the studio – one each representing air, water, earth and fire. I was drawn toward the Earth tapastry today, so I oriented my yoga mat facing it and sat down on my meditation bench to get centered and listen to what Earth had to teach me. Focusing on Earth, I noticed the qualities of groundedness and integration. Without earth, there would be no containers for fire and fresh water and no gravity to hold the air to the planet’s surface. We need the earth so we can integrate and make use of the other elements. Before we can dive deep, soar high or make use of the fire within, we must be grounded.
Another association with being grounded is committment. Pete Seeger says that he believes that the earth will be saved by people who settle in one place and save that land. When you find something you love enough to fight for its survival, to nurture it and ensure that it thrives for generations to come, that is home. Without that, what use is deep knowledge, inspiration or boundless energy? Without a home, there is no starting point for your journey. Committment is required to parent a child, develop a career, keep a marriage, build a home, develop a personal practice and to know yourself. Committment requires being grounded. Without grounding, there is nothing to be committed to.
Also during meditation today, I let my mind rest on fatherhood, father energy and parenting. As a father, I have tried to be grounded in a handful of ideas. First among these is that a father provides grounding for the child. This means providing both the boundaries needed for the child to contain the elements within himself, and the nourishment and space necessary for the child to grow. This same energy is seen in all good yoga teachers. It is certainly not exclusive to men any more than nurturing is exclusive to women.
So, I guess there are no great epifanies to be revealed in my meditations today. It is no secret that some men (ok women too) have difficulty with committment though, so I guess it never hurts to be reminded of the fruits of groundedness, committment and integration.
Namaste’ to all those who share their Father Energy with others.
Scott
Some of you may know that in my professional life, I am a psychologist. In psychology, we are much preoccupied with the question of what promotes positive change in the people who come to us for help. Yoga is also in the business of promoting positive change so it should be no surprise that the practice of yoga and the practice of psychology have much in common. We care deeply about the well-being of all people and in our actions, we strive to do no harm and to work from a base of solid knowledge or truth. Whether it is Asana or the tools psychology has to offer, we work hard to be sure that what we have to offer is valuable to those who seek us out, and we believe strongly in what we have developed. We have seen the good that can come from passing along our knowledge to others.
We also know that how we deliver the message is at least as important as the knowledge we have to offer. If we hold our beliefs about a client or student too tightly, we don’t give them room to grow. If we hold our clients or students in our open hands, support them and nourish them with the gentleness and and vital energy of our own breath, they grow according to their own nature and in their own time, which is really the best we can hope for.
We are human though and sometimes we don’t live up to our own best intentions or highest self. Maybe through our own frustration, a momentary slip, an overwhelming desire to get though, right a wrong, or a genuine lack of understanding, our delivery becomes sharp as a scalpel or hard as a fist. When that happens, even our best intentions are not enough to soften the blow and the delivery destroys any good we hoped to achieve. Whether we were right or wrong simply doesn’t matter at that point. The recipient becomes defensive and rejects the message because they no longer trust the person who delivered it. Union dissolves, or in psychological language, the therapeutic relationship is lost or damaged. This happens to experienced psychologists, it happens in our personal lives and it can certainly happen to Yogis and yoga teachers as well. Repairing such damage is so difficult, we must do what we can to avoid falling to that point to begin with.
This is one of the main reasons it is important for Yogis and psychologists alike to practice what we preach. We need to take care of ourselves first so that we can be a reliable conduit for the wisdom we have inherited from others. Self-care and a personal practice is important. Ongoing study is important. Applying our values – Ahimsa, doing no harm most of all, is important. We strive to do good and many days we can. On those days we don’t have it, we must, must, must, at the least, do no harm.
So, what to do when you burn to speak or push your students past their edge? When the urge to change, to force the situation, to make something happen is straining at your last reserve? Remember these rules. Remember to ask yourself these three things. Is what I have to offer necessary? Is what I have to offer true? And, above all, Is what I have to offer kind? Failing any of these three tests, your only option is to sacrifice your own desires on the altar of silence. Even as it burns within, know that this is also the fire that burns away your own weaknesses and purifies your soul. This test is waiting for all those on the path of the healer. You will take it many times. This is your offering to your practice. This is your vow. This is your promise and your hope.
In Silence:
Namaste’
Scott
I have always loved to sing. As far back as I can remember, I have been at my most joyful when immersed in music. So, I guess it is no surprise that I am powerfully attracted to Kirtan. I first started hearing this kind of music when I started doing Yoga a couple of years ago. I didn’t understand the words, but the emotion and the meaning of the music were clear as a bell anyway. It begs the listener to sing along. The Sanskrit is inherently poetic in a way no other language is. At some point, singing Mantras transforms the singer into a living, pulsating, overwhelming, poetic being. Then the real magic begins to happen. In the space created by the chant, the space where the Monkey Mind usually resides, a quiet, still place, surrounded by absolute joy comes into being. In that space, healing, unexpected insights, self-actualization and personal, intimate contact with the Divine all become realized. It is a profoundly emotional and transformative experience only hinted at by listening to Mantra. It is an experience that exists independent of any religion or philosophy. It is totally individualized for each participant, yet the power of the group uplifts all who participate. In Kirtan, religious people who have been observant all their lives sometimes have their first true, personal experience of that which inspires all religions. People who have no religion at all, likewise touch an inner truth and sustain that contact in a way that is completely consistent with their world view, yet usually lacking in their experience of life. Kirtan is one practice of Bhakti Yoga, or the Yoga of devotion. Like all forms of Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, invites the participant to bring body, mind and spirit to the experience. Like all forms of Yoga, you need believe nothing not experienced directly by you. Yoga is about experiencing truth directly and creating a space that allows anyone to do so. Is there any wonder that I’m still walking on air after doing Bhakti Yoga all day Sunday? I think not.
Namaste’
Scott
Update 2 – So, a friend, concerned with unintended consequences of naming names in this article, gently suggested changes. Her words were appreciated and well-taken. Yet, one also has responsibilities when there is a fox in the hen house. So, I’m guessing that anyone who stumbles across this blog who needs to know will know. Its not all that hard to guess and a little checking will take care of the rest. So, here it is – the blog on the great Texas Workforce Commission Yoga Teacher Training Maassacre!
So, a few weeks ago, I heard that a large Yoga business in Austin had complained to the Texas Workforce Commission that other yoga organizations around Texas were offering Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) without being approved as vocational schools. The company that complained was already approved by the TWC to offer the teacher training and evidently, through their effforts, several yoga teacher training programs in Austin had already been forced to close their doors because they couldn’t sustain the ongoing costs and burdens of being regulated by the state. A quick check at the time revealed that there were only two YTT programs in Austin that had been approved by the TWC. Of course there were rumors about which one it was, but since I had no evidence other than rumor, I wasn’t going to gossip. It would be a fairly damning accusation to make against a yoga program and with no evidence it seemed wrong to spread information that might not be true.
Well, this weekend, I attended the Texas Yoga Conference, a production of the Texas Yoga Association. Part of that conference included an open meeting with the TWC with a question and answer session. At that meeting, XXX made it clear that he supported the efforts of the government to regulate yoga teacher training programs and criticised all of the other members of the Texas Yoga Association who were unanimously opposed to the regulation. I guess that removed all doubt from my mind about whether the rumors about XXX involvement in these events were true. I found XXX behavior disappointing on a personal level. I’ve met him a couple of times and taken a class from him at XXX in Austin. I’ve enjoyed most of the classes I’ve taken at XXX and I’m having a hard time reconciling the XXX I met before, with one who would do what he has evidently done.
To be clear, XXX is entitled to his own ideas about how to run his own business and more power to him. My objection is the choice to involve multiple other businesses without consulting them and without considering what harm might be done to them. OK – that is just naive huh? I think we have to conclude that the harm was well-considered and inflicted intentionally. A government agency was used as a tool in this striving for dominance in the business of yoga. Yoga is about union – coming together as one to create a better world of mind, body and spirit. What was done has driven a wedge between XXX, XXX and virtually all of the other yoga studios in Texas. I can’t imagine ever taking another class from XXX. I can’t ever imagine wanting to work for an organization like that either. I wonder how the yoga teachers who work there now will feel when they find out what their business has become? How sad.
If I was going to end with a pithy, snarky remark, it would be something like: ”If you believe what you preach, Karma is real dude.” Or “Maybe, it really is only Riches that matter.” Instead, I have a wish for XXX. I hope XXX and the others at XXX who made this decision will take some time to meditate on the consequences of what they have done to the Yoga community. Was it what they intended? How do they really feel about it now? Did it create light, love, happiness? Was it just more competitive cruelty? What does the world need more of?
Namaste’
Scott
Update: Questions about this post have been submitted back channel. Here are some answers:
Q. Will regulation by the state affect the quality of the trainers of Yoga Teachers in Texas?
A. No, the regulations have no standards for such teachers. Since programs of 24 hours or less are not included in the regulations, the type of program that the Yoga Alliance was established to protect against will be at a competitive advantage compared with those who voluntarily trained students according to the YA standards. Lax programs with low standards may continue to train teachers while those with higher standards may have to close, as several already have in Austin.
Q. Will regulation affect the curriculum of Yoga Teacher Training Programs.
A. No. The TWC hasn’t the slightest clue about what should be included in YTT curricula.
Q. Does it regulate yoga teachers?
A. No. Anyone can call themselves a yoga teacher.
Q. Is it possible that XXX was just trying to protect the quality of teacher training programs in Texas?
A. No. XXX teacher training programs use the same Yoga Alliance standards for their training programs as every program they identified to the TWC. Yoga Yoga had other alternatives, such as working with other studios if they had these kinds of concerns. They failed to utilize those options. This was not a move with or for others in the yoga community, it was a move against others in the yoga community.
Q. Is there any data on the comparative effectiveness of YTT programs offered by different programs?
A. No. Assumptions that any organization has superior programs are unfounded. Such claims are biased and uninformed.
Q What is it about the regulations that Yoga Studios find so onerous?
A. The cost is comparatively high for smaller programs. Regulations call for extensive, repetitive, ongoing paperwork, audits and financial statements that will require significant time and money to produce. Training programs must have regular site visits from regulators and every location where students learn or engage in practica must be evaluated individually and each one requires a full application, including fees and ongoing renewal fees. Regulations also allow for TWC to hire outside “experts” to evaluate curricula and trainer’s qualifications. There are over 20 different major types of yoga practiced in the United States and there is much variation within each school. YTT programs are rightly concerned about the possibility of being regulated by unqualified bureaucrats.
Q. Do the regulations favor one type of program over others?
A. Yes. Because each director and teacher in a program must be approved and they each must pay initial and ongoing renewal fees, large programs with high teacher/student ratios and low-wage support staff find the regulations far more affordable. Yoga Teachers have traditionally been trained in small groups or individually with a lot of personal and individualized attention. Because yoga is practiced in many different types of environments, high quality programs have arranged practica in a variety of community-based, public and private locations. Programs with individualized approaches, tailored to the needs of their students are at a distinct disadvantage. Large, cookie-cutter programs that provide the same training regardless of the actual needs of their students fit very well with the current regulatory scheme.
Q. If teaching yoga is a career and career schools are regulated, why shouldn’t yoga be regulated too?
A. The vast majority of yoga teachers teach yoga as an avocation and have other full-time jobs and/or other sources of support, such as a spouse or partner. Many students who complete the training only do so to deepen their own practice and never have any intention to teach. YTT programs do not train people to make a living teaching yoga. They deepen a yogi’s understanding of Yoga and help them develop leadership skills. What the yogi does with the training is up to the yogi. Few ever make a living at it. It is also true that many similar types of programs are exempted – not by the law, but by internal TWC decisions. The list of informally exempted programs includes aerobics instructors, dance instructors, martial arts instructors and personal trainers. Why would yoga teacher training be regulated when these are not?
Q. Doesn’t making everyone fit into the same box benefit yoga anyway?
A. Only if you like Walmart Yoga.
Below are four value statements about yoga. I wonder if you agree with them. Are these values currently practiced in Yoga as you experience it? Are these values important to your practice of Yoga?
1) Yoga is independent of race, color, creed, or gender. It is essentially international in character, with no artificial boundaries. This makes Yoga essentially a unifying factor among diverse races and creeds.
2) Yoga knowledge is public knowledge, not the exclusive prerogative of any group. Free and frank exchange of information among yogis is valued and open to review by other yogis.
3) Yoga is not influenced by any ego-driven ideology, or manipulated to serve for personal profit. Yoga is honest, objective (methods and results can be observed by others), and impersonal (in the sense of the methods and results being available to all and not under private ownership).
4) Yoga statements are not accepted based only on the word of authority. There is freedom to question such statements. According to Yoga, the test of validity of any statement is experience or observational verification. In other words, just because a Guru says it, it ain’t necessarily so. Yogis are free to find out what works for them through their own experience and observations, and they are free to share those experiences and observations with others.
In my experience, Yoga fits pretty well with the first and second. As for the third and fourth, I would say that it is possible to practice Yoga according to these values, though some don’t. I am not proposing that these form a sufficient value base for yoga, though I think they could be recognized as compatible with a practice of Yoga. I wonder if you see value in practicing Yoga based on these values and whether they actually violate any necessary conditions for doing Yoga?
Where did these values come from? They represent four basic values of science: Universalism (scientific knowledge and methods are independent of artificial separations or boundaries), Communalism (scientific knowledge and methods are shared), Disinterestedness (scientific knowledge and methods are unbiased), Scepticism (scientific knowledge and methods are open to question and verification).
Namaste’
Scott
A blogger over at Yoga Journal asked these questions. I thought I might post my answers here too.
Is anyone doing hatha yoga to become more spiritual/enlightened?
I prefer the term “evolved.” If that term qualifies, then yes. As a non-dualist, I see improving in any area as effecting positive change in my entire being.
Does[sic] you feel more spiritual doing asanas?
I have had many emotional breakthroughs as well as “ah-ha” type enlightening moments while practicing yoga asana. Asana is meditative for me.
Do you find spirituality in a yoga studio?
The studio where I practice is intentionally made to be a sacred space. When I am there, I experience the sacred more directly than anywhere else I go. As a non-dualist, I don’t distinguish between the spiritual and physical worlds. They are the same, and since the physical world is manifest, that is where I sense the sacred.
Do you think that one day during your practice you are going to become enlightened?
Enlightenment is a process, not an end state. It isn’t something to reach or become.
Do you feel that if you achieve perfection in an asana you are somehow more spiritual?
Perfection is only experiencing ones ultimate expression of self in the moment. We are all perfect, always.
Thanks for asking.
Namaste’
Scott
I have a young cousin who recently wrote about her fears of not being able to compete on her facebook page. She is in High School and already a very accomplished musician, performer and generally an academic champ as well. From where I sit, I can see that the world is her oyster. She can’t see as far yet. I’m guessing she will eventually. Anyway, her post got me thinking about competition.
I read somewhere a long time ago that the Greek or latin root of the word we now know as competition once meant “To strive together.” It was said that in the original Greek Olympics, this was also the underlying ideal; to strive together to reach the highest expression of the physical activity being engaged in. This is very different than the focus of many sports now days where one person or team beats the other, creating winners and losers.
A lot has been said about how sports are a metaphor for life, and to some extent I agree. However, it is also clear that which metaphors we choose also structure how we create meaning in life. When we choose the competitive metaphor, it has consequences as does our choice of the cooperative metaphor. We can obviously see this played out on the world stage (that may be adressed in a different post) as well as in our individual lives.
Part of my cousin’s dilemma involved how to engage her world within the cooperative mindset when so many others around her are trying to compete with her. Indeed, if the cooperative mindset is placed in opposition to the competitive mindset, does it not become competitive? Perhaps not. What I told my cousin was that she had the choice whether to adopt the competitive mindset or not. I asked her, in the event that she chooses the competitive mindset, will she begrudge those she defeats their angst and sorrow as she begrudges those who defeat her their successes? I pointed out that choosing to see herself and her cohort as each striving for the untimate expression of their most genuine self had the potential to transform her, her interactions with her “competitors” and perhaps open the door to transformation within the wider community in which she lives.
My Yoga teacher defines Yoga in part as a non-competitive activity and that philosophy pervades everything we do in the studio. While we are each encourged to find our own ultimate expression of the poses in that moment, there is no comparing ourselves to others in the class. Sometimes when a fellow yogi achieves a particularly awesome expression of a pose, the class claps, but there is no envy. For me, the cooperative metaphor is the very essence of Yoga. No one is a better yogi or worse yogi. Those who have gone before offer paths for those who follow, sometimes we walk side by side. The path is wide. There is room for us all.
Namaste’
Scott
A cousin recently asked me if I had any pointers about getting started in Yoga. After practicing for a year and a half I still feel like I’m just getting started. I’ve been fortunate enough to have some widely varying experiences in yoga during that time as well, so I hope I have enough perspective at this point to offer some good advice. What I have to say reflects my experience and that might not be yours. What you need from your yoga and what you have to give to yoga will be reflected in your exerience of yoga and will help determine whether a specific path is for you.
Most Westerners start yoga hoping for some kind of improvement in their physical conditioning whether it be weight loss or increased strength, flexibility or cardio-vascular fitness. Improvement in all of these aspects of physical functioning are available to those to practice yoga. Many practitioners also experience other physical improvements in areas such as digestion, respiration, and reduced excitation of the autonomic nervous system. Improved physical conditioning also leads to improvements in mood, self-efficacy, self-esteem and personal effectiveness in a variety of different areas. So, many people who do yoga regularly find a path to personal growth that may go well beyond physical conditioning. Many students also find that what they desire from their yoga practice grows over time. There is never any pressure to be involved in any aspect of yoga that the student doesn’t wish to be involved in, so while yoga is often associated with Eastern spiritual traditions, people of all faiths and those who eshew spiritual practices are equally welcome. One of the great joys of yoga for me is being able to practice in peace and love with people from widely varying cultures and traditions. It gives me hope that if we can do this in yoga, we may someday be able to do it “off the mat” as well.
For me, the first thing that comes to mind about starting yoga is finding a good teacher. I really lucked out because the teachers at the studio closest to my house happened to be very good teachers. I had no idea that was the case when I started. I figured that yoga was yoga and teachers were teachers. I couldn’t have been more wrong. It took me a while to get enough knowledge and perspective about my teachers to understand just how good they are. In the past few months I’ve been able to travel to the East coast and West and attend classes at some of the most well-known studios, from some of the most well-known teachers. In that time I’ve seen teachers who acted more like coaches than yoga teachers. I went to one class where the teacher never looked at her students – she just went through the poses, calling them out and expected everyone to follow along. I’ve been to classes with supposedly experienced teachers who tried to put the whole class into poses that could be attained by only a few and would likely have injured some had they tried them. I’ve heard tales of harsh teachers who demean their students, though I’ve never experienced that directly. Yoga should never be harsh or uncaring. If you run into that kind of practice, leave quickly knowing that what you experienced was not Yoga.
On the other hand, I’ve had teachers who have taken me places I never expected I could go. I’ve had teachers who connected with me as an individual in ways that allowed my practice to grow to become more than I ever expected it could. I have noticed a few things that these teachers seem to have in common. They do their best to connect with each individual in their class. They attempt to know and meet the needs of their students from a holistic perspective. They accept and love each student exactly how they are and they find an approach to yoga that helps each person grow beginning with who they are in the present. These things may be true of all teachers, not just yoga teachers, but yoga is a very personal practice, so having a caring yoga instructor is crucial. The really good teachers I have met have experienced a transformation in their own lives as a result of practicing yoga. Because of this they know yoga can be more than just exercise. Yet, they also have the wisdom to know that each person has their own path and their own needs. A good teacher does not try to make students walk the teachers path. A good teacher empowers the student to walk their own.
Different types of yoga have students do different types of classes and some types of yoga may mix a variety of different class styles. One major distinction is how much flow or “Vinyasa” is included in the class. Some classes go through different poses with little thought to the transition between poses, but a class with flow is designed to move from one pose into the next in a fluid and comfortable flow. A class with a lot of flow can get the cardio-vascular system up and far more quickly than you might expect, especially if you are started from the average state of deconditioning most Americans finds themselves in. A class that focuses more on form might have you hold poses for several minutes while working to ensure that you are not only safe, but that your alignment allows the fullest expression of the pose that you can achieve. Holding some poses for an extended period can be quite challenging. There are also many poses designed to lengthen and stretch out various muscles. Becoming more limber and maintaining flexibity is one of the great gifts of yoga. However, major gains in flexibility can take a very long time. Attempts to force flexibility where your body isn’t yet ready are almost certain to lead to injury. A good practice starts gently and warms you up before going for deep stretches. Some of the best classes I have been to and the ones I enjoy the most integrate form, flow and flexibilty seamlessly, warming the students up, reaching a peak and then cooling them off toward the end of class. I think being able to do that is one sign of a well-trained teacher. All that being said, I don’t think you should expect every class to be like that. Some classes are more focused on specific issues and the choice of methods can vary quite widely. Over time though, you should find your classes enjoyable, challenging but not demanding, and they should meet your specific needs (within reason).
There are some common threads to a good yoga practice. Yoga is non-competitive by its very nature. Learning from others in class is cool, but trying to be the best or comparing yourself to others for better or worse is not yoga. Finding the practice that works for you is. It’s your body and your practice. The Asana aspect of Yoga is a full body exercise. Over time, it should work every muscle in your body, including many you probably don’t even know that you have. Asana is also closely tied to conscious, mindful breathing. This not only nourishes your body and helps cleanse toxins, it also promotes relaxation and increases mental focus. Specific breath work also enhances the effects of some poses, allowing deeper stretches and a more unified experience in vinyasa. A good teacher helps students integrate breath work seamlessly into the practice of yoga regardless of the style of yoga they teach.
There are some nuts and bolts type issues to consider when starting yoga. Compared to many other exercises and/or sports, the expense of yoga clothes and tools is minimal. Yoga is almost always practiced on a mat. The type of mat you use may depend on the type of yoga you do. Most yoga mats are two feet by six feet, but some leading teachers are now recommending using mats that are larger. Of of the best mats on the market right now is the Manduka mat. http://www.manduka.com/ Most studios have mats they will loan or rent to you, but as soon as you can, get your own. These are usually thin and small. That works for lots of yogis, but some of us need more. There are also hygiene issues involved with using mats other feet have been on. Some forms of yoga (hot yoga) make you sweat a lot, so you need a mat/towel/blanket that can absorb fluids while also providing the traction you need. You will want to have clothes that stretch with you every which way. There are many options available from a variety of manufacturers. For big guys like me, Lululemon http://www.lululemon.com/ has consistently had yoga clothes that fit in their stores. Most other manufacturers don’t. They also have some cool stuff for the ladies because size does matter: http://www.lululemon.com/community/blog/why-we-love-the-tata-tamer-ii/. Many guys prefer a largish t-shirt and stretchy gym shorts. Whatever works for you is fine. Just try not to wear clothes that will restrict your movements. You might want to bring a small towel and a bottle of water.
Most yoga studios try to create a sacred space in which to practice. You will usually be asked to take off your shoes and socks before entering the studio. Studios often have their own “flavor” too. There will be some where you walk in and everyone will be mediitating before class. In others students talk and joke around, practice asanas, or whatever. Try to be sensitive to the needs of other students and the traditions of the studio. Many practices begin with a short meditation and end with one as well. These tend to be “generic” but I’ve also been in classes where the meditation includes more specific spiritual content. It is unlikely that you will ever find a perfect class given all the variations that yoga can take, so a helpful attitude with which to approach classes is to take what you can use and leave the rest for others who may benefit from it.
There are many places you can learn about yoga on the internet. One of the best is the Yoga Journal website, http://www.yogajournal.com/. If you go my my blog at http://www.newsomweb.net, there are also some links to other blogs and websites you might find interesting.
Finally, there is an unattributed quote I love about this topic: “Yoga can only be learned by Yoga.” So, ultimately, you just have to try it and see where it leads you.
Namaste’
Scott
Christina Sell is coming to my home studio this weekend. I’m really looking forward to practicing with her. I enjoy reading her blog (a link to which can be found in my blogroll). I took too much time away from Asana practice and I’m a little creaky and stiff though. I’ve been back from vacation and haven’t really gotten back into a rhythm with Yoga, or my daily life. I’ve been sleeping late a lot (getting up at 8:30 or9:00, )which is very unusual for me. In some ways, I feel like I’m in a holding pattern. I was supposed to be starting my Yoga teacher training now, but the start got put off until January 2010. Ah well, I hope I will be in better physical condition by then and be better able to learn to teach more advanced Asanas.
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