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Attending regular classes

Author	Comment
MichelleYoga	Attending regular classes	Lead	[-]
Posts: 63 (10/15/08 11:04:12) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Tags : None Hi Everyone Here's a question for you all. Do you think that a yoga teacher should still attend regular (weekly) classes with another yoga teacher, or do you think it's perfectly acceptable for them to practice at home alone? I've recently parted ways with my yoga teacher (long story) and have been practising at home as well as doing my teaching. I feel that this is enough for me at this time, but wondered if other teachers attend regular classes with other teachers? I'm still attending workshops and stuff of course, but practising my regular yoga on my own, rather than going to class. I'd love to hear your opinions on this! Thanks! Love Michelle xx Love Michelle.
KFN		#1	[-]
Posts: 3934 (10/15/08 16:11:59) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi Michelle, Well, I've never had any shortage of opinions, but I'm trying to not take them very seriously. And my Opinion is: no I don't think a yoga teacher "should" attend regular classes. I teach, I practice, attend workshops, and I enjoy taking some classes with the other teachers at our studio and elsewhere, but none of them are my teacher, including one who was for many years (and whose classes I sometimes attend). karen
RobynLGibson		#2	[-]
Posts: 2347 (10/16/08 04:51:00) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Personally, I like having classes with other teachers. When I practice at home I get distracted more than I do in a class. I am not saying it is a "should" thing. It is a personal thing. What works best for you is what you "should" be doing. r
simpleyogini		#3	[-]
Posts: 4570 (10/16/08 18:13:50) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Karen...Lol we all don't have a shortage of opinions... so here is mine.... I was trained as a teacher....and taught for about 5 years.... i like going to regular classes....i feel like i am learning...and will always learn...i like the community within the class...i like being around people...i feel i miss out on that when i am home alone all the time practicing...the studio i go to...we do things for the community...it is not just yoga asana....we have sutras study....kirtan...donations for the unfortunate...mindfulness meditation...etc... i might practice some by myself....but i do like the structure of a class with others....in fact my personally would rather be with a group for discipline sake....i get lazy to an extent when i practice alone... i love going to workshops....meeting new people...learning.... i guess it is up to the person....and what they feel prompted to do... sandy We do not need to be the same, or think the same But we can hold hands as fellow travelers in this life.
KFN		#4	[-]
Posts: 3939 (10/16/08 18:17:41) Moderator Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Sandy, you said it better than I did. I don't go to classes because I "should", I go for many of the reasons you mentioned. Hugs, karen
purnayoga		#5	[-]
Posts: 303 (10/16/08 19:37:15) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I wonder if reverse-engineering the question would be revealing? What would be your thought process for not studying with another teacher? Or more succinctly, in what way or ways does not studying with a teacher move you closer to the capital S self? (of course I am presuming you are talking about studying with a teacher rather than just randomly attending someone's asana class). I'll back off from my own definition of Yoga for a moment and speak only to asana. The more consistent your asana practice the more likely you are to carve grooves of misalignment in your poses. Unchecked they become deeply rooted in one's consciousness (samskara). In that respect having a teacher is quite valuable. I think there are a variety of "reasons" for yoga teachers to study with another teacher but it really depends on the intention or purpose the student holds for their practice and the level of proficiency of the teachers in question. Merely going to another asana class may hold no benefit while going to a yoga class with a senior teacher may be helpful for the student and the student's students. ========================== The spoken word is your master, the unspoken word your slave.
MichelleYoga		#6	[-]
Posts: 64 (10/17/08 00:50:43) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	Hi Everyone Thanks for your comments. The trouble for me is that I live in a small town with no senior teachers - the class I was attending previously was really just me attending a hatha class - there was nothing else involved there at all in terms of spirituality and inspiration etc. Because of circumstances there is no way I can go back to that teacher any way, but I shall continue to attend workshops and occasional classes with top teachers such as Mark Whitwell, who I am going to study with very soon. Thanks everyone. Love Michelle
simpleyogini		#7	[-]
Posts: 4577 (10/17/08 06:39:01) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	ah being with mark is great....enjoy studying with him. wish i could have spent more time with him myself. sandy We do not need to be the same, or think the same But we can hold hands as fellow travelers in this life.
purnayoga		#8	[-]
Posts: 309 (10/20/08 12:23:17) Reply Quote More My Recent Posts Message Me Connection Blocking Invite Ignore User's Posts	I think I discovered a more succinct way to respond to this. If the student can clearly see themselves then there may not be any need for a teacher. However most of us cannot or do not see ourselves honestly and therefore a sound teacher (not just any teacher) would be helpful in delivering the truth to the student so that they may continue their process of self-discovery. ========================== The spoken word is your master, the unspoken word your slave.

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