happy valentines day

always choose love

My post today is not really about valentine's day lol. The recent John Friend (founder of Anusara yoga) "scandal" has really pushed me into some deep inquiry about yoga and this awesome job i do. I think the years of rapid expansion in the industry has caused much confusion. For most of us modern yoga practitioners, practice today does not hold the same meaning as it was intended to be. (Just to be clear, i believe in evolution. I grew up in Asia where many things we do, we do because it is in our culture to do so. This some times creates so much conflict and confusion! So even in yoga, evolution for the better, i think is good) Anyway, some of us try to hold on to the ancient practices, but this requires total devotion to the practice. And by total devotion, i mean, a devotion that is spiritual, or one that involves love towards the divine. So in other words, practiced like religion. We work hard on keeping yoga separate from religion - but it is a spiritual path that is intended to help you connect to your divine; so it is a way of life- and so is Buddhism! Often mistaken as a religion. Anyway, what i am trying to say is that, even the very first principle of yoga is not observed by most of us. Ahimsa - non harming, is all inclusive. It means not harming any living beings in words, thoughts or actions. Most teachers are not even vegetarian - i am not saying this is important as a teacher, i am merely illustrating a point about what the practice. 

Anyway.... i think we should stop kidding ourselves and call ourselves yogi's or worst, Guru's.

And i guess part of the root of the JF scandal is in him placing himself in that seat- (or similar) or, the community placing him in that seat and expecting him to be someone akin to a religious leader. Of course, i agree, that with big power, comes great responsibility and if you accept that seat, then you have to accept that this comes with the job. My issue with the whole "scandal" is the arrogance of JF to think that it would not surface and this arrogance comes from believing that there is such great unconditional love for him. Unconditional love which exist between devotees and their Gods. Devotees who love their God even in times when they are greatly challenged by life. This, by the way, is NOT a criticism of JF. I still believe he is a genius in what he has offered through Anusara. It has changed the lives of many and will continue to change the lives of many through the many amazing teachers it has passed it's teachings to who continue to serve the world community in the most beautiful way.

So on this point....

As teachers, i think we should be clear- apart from guiding asana, when we speak- are we taking the seat of a teacher - or are we just sharing what we know and love, as students ourselves? Most of us, if not all of us, are students of yoga. I think when we are not engaging in our own practice and when we stop being students, we loose clarity. It is important to remind those we speak to that we are merely sharing these beautiful teachings, not preaching it! And that we ourselves are working on them and not give anyone the idea that we are enlightened beings, if we are not. I personally would hate being put on a pedestal as i would most definitely fall from it LOL 

And i see this- and know this, because i was once there myself-

Start by being honest in your asana practice. Do not be afraid to admit if something is not there for you yet and do not make excuses for it. When you do this, so much softens and love flows.

Bad Yoga! Good Yoga!

a gorgeous image i found (not me)

Ooo la la! Yoga community!

It has been an interesting few days in the wise world of Facebook with the release of a New York Times Magazine article ‘How Yoga Can Wreck Your Body’. Today in the Sunday Times Magazine here, there is also an article about this, in response to a book due to be released next month by the same writer titled ‘Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards’.

You can wreck your body doing anything. Just because in yoga, it looks like we are doing things beyond “normal”, everyone is jumping on the story. During the months of Spring-Summer, so many clients come in with bad backs from gardening!

I was once an enthusiastic wakeboarder. We all accepted that we were wrecking our knees and our backs. People died doing the sport. Ok, it is labelled an extreme sport but no governing body grew out of this  sport to say who could and could not teach it and regulate it into a safe sport. That is not to say that associations representing the sport are not concerned about injuries. They do have safety advice. I am not comparing yoga to an extreme sport. All i am saying is that the people who come to yoga are not very different from people who participate in extreme sport. That is to say; you choose to do it because you love it. You do your best not to injure yourself so that you can keep doing it. You are aware of certain risks involved! You open your ears and listen to your body. At least in yoga, you get the chance to pause…be receptive…decide… do I try this today or do I try it another day. More importantly, you do not attempt anything you are not ready for and against all your instincts! You do not need anyone to tell you this; in fact, nobody can tell you this. You are in your own body.


The other side of this story is about the responsibility of teachers. There is more and more debate about good teachers and bad teachers. Whilst i am not in total agreement about how the industry is churning out teachers, i can say with 100% certainty that no teacher intends to be "bad". Everyone tries their best.  I guess the one limiting thing i observe is that not all teachers are as committed in their practice as they are in their teaching / business. You can find a brilliant teacher who is not a brilliant practitioner- who is serving yoga beyond asana. But if we are talking about serving a good & safe asana class, then i strongly believe that we should know it in our own bodies before offering it in class. A brilliant teacher is one who has not stopped being a student. 


However, having said all that, ultimately, no matter how amazing the teacher is at anatomy, biomechanics, feeling your body?? - they are not able to experience what you are experiencing. You are your best teacher. Your body tells you when to back off and when you are in danger. When you step onto your mat- even before 'open to grace', remind yourself that you are there to make your body better, not harm it. Feel it- know where it is in it's space that very moment. Remember that you only have one of it- and it is your temple. Have full love and respect for it and be responsible for it. And then.... enjoy the practice ;-)