tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869261433448575146.post124623123578894178..comments2023-08-24T11:15:16.111-05:00Comments on Total - Health - Yoga - and more: Ethics - What do you look for in a teacher?Krishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18112238121767903592noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869261433448575146.post-8502606795980278842007-11-05T08:00:00.000-06:002007-11-05T08:00:00.000-06:00Thanks for the post, Om Bites (Mary?). I agree wi...Thanks for the post, Om Bites (Mary?). I agree with everything you said. You raise an excellent point, "We all fall off the wagon but it's what we do most of the time that counts." Well said!Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18112238121767903592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869261433448575146.post-74001974109937646712007-11-02T14:44:00.000-06:002007-11-02T14:44:00.000-06:00Oh hon, what a thought provoking post and one that...Oh hon, what a thought provoking post and one that all of us think about. I have so many thoughts on this. I go to several different classes depending on what I need from my practice at any given time but the teacher I resonate with the most has been the one that has actually taken the time to get to know me a little and offers advice and careful adjustments to help me grow. She is da bomb of yoga teachers in my humble opinion :-)<BR/><BR/>I don't tend to go to classes where the teacher doesn't even acknowledge me. I find that they seem too *busy* or *important* to be there in the first place and the classes seem cold. I know there is a lesson in that but then I'd rather practice at home.<BR/><BR/>We are all human at the end of the day and no one is perfect but I do expect any teacher I practice under to walk the talk. With anyone I meet in life, the people I respect are the people doing this. We all fall off the wagon but it's what we do most of the time that counts. I *believe* in people more when I see the passion and commitment of what it is they do and teach. Tapas plays a big part in me enjoying and wanting to attend a teacher's class. If they're not enjoying it, how will I?<BR/><BR/>In regards to what one does in their private life? It's not my business. I wouldn't like to be judged for what I enjoy doing in my private time. That kinda sounds kinky doesn't it? You know what I mean. Having said that though, if I do hear about something really uncool, I just can't go back to that teacher's class. I can't support a teacher if they abuse their role.<BR/><BR/>Oh and I wouldn't go to someone who got their certification from the internet. There is far too much to learn and experience oneself in regards to asana. All my teachers have been taught by people who are known in the yoga world and highly respected. This is important to me.<BR/><BR/>It's funny, sometimes I might not like a teacher's style initially but then after I've gone to a few more classes, I find I enjoy it and look forward to it. Another reason I go to a couple of different classes, I don't want to become complacent with my practice.<BR/><BR/>I've rambled and it probably might not all make sense but I hope this gives you another insight. Thanks for the post!Maryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12221362768923638404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869261433448575146.post-44545206061569650942007-10-25T11:38:00.000-05:002007-10-25T11:38:00.000-05:00"then why are their egos so big and their judgemen..."then why are their egos so big and their judgements so quick?"<BR/><BR/>because they are human. nothing more, nothing less.<BR/><BR/>I left a studio where I loved teaching because I got tired of the owner walking into my classes drunk. She is an alcoholic, an alcoholic who does not yet own her addiction. She has taught her classes drunk, and has lied to and manipulated the teachers. frankly, the phrase "yoga community" right now makes me gag.<BR/><BR/>It's too long of a story to get into and I wouldn't here anyway, but I am dealing with lots of rage over it. not the alcoholism, but the lies and deception that the studio is built upon. <BR/><BR/>here is an excellent post about ego and the student/teacher relationship by my cyberpal, Mike:<BR/><BR/>http://the-absent-mind.blogspot.com/2007/09/life-on-path-student-teacher.htmlLinda-Samahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07664989345039365084noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869261433448575146.post-77191760896016246132007-10-23T12:22:00.000-05:002007-10-23T12:22:00.000-05:00Thanks for all the feedback and thoughs! Nadine, ...Thanks for all the feedback and thoughs! Nadine, feel free to post any part or parts that you'd like--and thanks for your interest.Krishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18112238121767903592noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869261433448575146.post-75491701612592152842007-10-23T09:08:00.000-05:002007-10-23T09:08:00.000-05:00Hi Kris!Really great post. I wonder, does your fri...Hi Kris!<BR/><BR/>Really great post. I wonder, does your friend not have other options by way of teachers? Because it sounds like neither is REALLY kind - pushing too hard in class is almost as bad as being mean outside of it.<BR/><BR/>I think, on balance, kindness is the most important quality for a yoga teacher. Even if you don't know what you are doing, as I feel I frequently don't, harm doesn't tend to arise with a kind, present teacher.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for bringing this up - may I post an excerpt on my blog?Nadine Fawellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02195579342324187133noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869261433448575146.post-39060435446929767692007-10-11T07:19:00.000-05:002007-10-11T07:19:00.000-05:00ohhh goodie - i love reading posts where you nod a...ohhh goodie - i love reading posts where you nod and laugh and just want to write back right away!! Thanks Kris, this is one of them : )<BR/><BR/>As a new-ish yoga teacher (2 years teaching) I have to say first and foremost.. you NEVER stop learning. I learnt exactly how little i knew when I started teaching... in a fab way - that there is so much out there to discover!<BR/><BR/>and I agree with Rob above.. i have had teachers who know everything.. but in their 'knowledge' of history and movement, have lost touch with the human on the mat.<BR/><BR/>I encourage my students to try out different classes at different times of their life, and not just the styles, but the teachers too. Heck - there are some classes/teachers I can't stand.. not for any reason other than we don't gel.<BR/><BR/>Ethics can also change over time - so I just encourage ppl to try things out, and FEEL their way.<BR/><BR/>Oh, and one last point on this long post... I am always telling my students to stop and relax when they need to, but (especialy in my gym classes) many students don't. SO the 'pushing' can happen not just from the teacher.. but also the student, no matter what you suggest!<BR/>xxxshinyyogahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09409610128514667672noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1869261433448575146.post-56141887337936303532007-10-10T22:15:00.000-05:002007-10-10T22:15:00.000-05:00I'd say you'd be better off, emotionally and physi...I'd say you'd be better off, emotionally and physically, from learning yoga [or anything, really] from someone who resonates with you, as opposed to someone "really knows his stuff." Cause like you say, if they are very not cool folks when the class is over, I'd hazard a guess they don't "really" know it. If something makes you uncomfortable, chances are it's not for you. [Once you've let go of superficial judgements and made an effort, of course.] Learn what you can, and move on. But once you're even asking these questions, you're probably already past the point of it being useful to you. imho, of course.Rob Pughhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18355643989278053777noreply@blogger.com