Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga: how many teachers?

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Discussion Forum: General Discussion: Iyengar Yoga:
how many teachers?

pascal
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Aug 29, 2004, 11:35 AM

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what is the best for a yoga student? follow for years the same teacher or change every 4/5 years for another? in the one hand, the same teacher knows you better and better, on the other hand, you are in a confortable routine and changing could bring you a new approach of your yoga practice...well. what is your opinion about this choice?

jday
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Aug 31, 2004, 9:44 AM

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What I've done in my life is had one main teacher (after going through several and moving), and then gone to workshops and had secondary teachers to expand my practice. One thing a teacher said to me once was that it is not good to have too many teachers (if you are going to become a teacher yourself) because you can get confused my too many different teachings styles and then your teaching will not be focused.

jot1
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Sep 4, 2004, 7:14 AM

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In studying any religion like Hinduism and its many yogas, one will come across many teachers. However, it is traditional (and wise) to develop a strong relationship with one qualified and ethcial Guru. Such a relationship is absolutely necessary if one is to eventually teach. Regarding the various Yogas, however, most people miss the most obvious and basic fact, the student must be or become a Hindu (or Buddhist, Jain or Sikh).

maida
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Oct 11, 2004, 10:43 AM

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For me it doesn't matter with how many people or teachers do you take classes, it matters in which of them you have faith, through years and years, that's your guru or your master, and then you start feeling devotion, which for me is trascendental in the inner practice of yoga.

michellet
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Oct 11, 2004, 6:46 PM

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in response to the comment/idea that one must become a hindu to be a yogi , I want to share a quote from bks iyengar (one of many) that speaks to this. this is from "east and west", pg. 15-16 in Tree of Yoga, shambala publications, 1988:

'You may hear of Zen meditation and think that it is something different from meditation n yoga. But meditation cannot be called Hindu meditation in yoga, Zen meditation, or transcendental meditation. Meditation is simply meditation. Remember that the Buddha was born in India and was also a student of yoga. When I was in Tokyo I met lots of Zen masters, and they called me a Zen master too. That means the quality of my work and achievement and the quality of their practice and spiritual development must have been the same. There is absoulutely no difference. The essence of meditation of yogis-- I do not say the Hindus, but the yogis-- and the meditation of Zen masters is the same. .....yoga was given for the human race, not the Hindus. This is the meaning of sarvabhauma: yoga is a universal culture, not the culture of Hindus... The rivers which flow in your country and the rivers which flow in my country help to irrigate our lands and make them fertile; then they all flow into the sea and become one single ocean. Likewise, we are all human beings created by one God with no differences between us. .. The methods of spiritual development are given for the evolution of individuals throughout the world." \\\

Nadia
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Oct 11, 2004, 8:22 PM

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That is exactly the kind of thing I would expect Iyengar to say. He is obviously a very wise man, maybe he should be part of this discussion forum Wink

jot1
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Oct 16, 2004, 6:06 AM

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Michellete posted a comment by Mr. Iyengar that shows a great deal of misunderstanding on his part. Like all fundamentalists/universalists, he just does not understand the wisdom of duality or at least simply uses it to suit his own agenda. He says "yoga is a universal culture, not the culture of Hindus..." This is totally wrong. First, what part of universal does not he understand? Second, it is factual (not merely his dogma) that all the Yoga teachings and practices constitute the Hindu religion. True, one can also find various Yogas within the Buddhist, Jain and Sikhs (Hindu sects) religions. There is of course no Yoga within the Jewish, Christian and Islamic religions.

Mr. Iyengar also claims "we are all human beings created by one God with no differences between us..." This statement is just too naive. Who is the one God? Of course many do not know that Iyengar is a Vaishnavavite (Hindu--though he seems to, ironically, hate the word) and he believes that the one God is Vishnu/Narayana. Big differences!

gangadip
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Oct 18, 2004, 6:05 PM

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Mr Iyengar is a recognized master whose lineage and knowlege of Yoga are beyond suspicion. He remains humble and never ceases to go further in his practice. His open hearted and open minded statements are not idle theory, not parroting of beliefs, they are born of a lifetime of effort and deep dedication. If one is not a sincere practitioner of Hatha Yoga and wants to present a view on that subject, then that one must recognize that he/she speaks from notions, not experience. Big difference.

jot1
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Oct 19, 2004, 7:20 AM

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As a sincere practioner of Hatha Yoga and all the Hindu Yogas, it is a factual observation that anyone who puts their name on these sacred Hindu practices is more interested in their own persona. Many Hindus look at such individuals as many sincere practioners of Christianity look upon all the the dot com fundamentalist preachers.

gangadip
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Oct 19, 2004, 2:43 PM

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Actually, Jyothi, Mr. Iyengar did not put his name on the practice, and has said he would never presume to do such a thing. His respect for Yoga is impossible to understate. His students gave the practice the name Iyengar yoga. and it stuck. It is not a money thing with him in any way. He teaches from love of yoga and does so every day. Your animosity towards him shows an ignorance of world class proportions, as does your ridiculous statement that anyone who practices Yoga must to convert to Hinduism!
I know who you are now, by the way! I finally recognized your email address and name from so many other internet newsgroups and message boards that you have sabotaged with your negative energy in the past. God, all these years and you still have nothing better to do than this? It seems you have an endless axe to grind and love to attack innocent people. How utterly pitiful. I will no longer respond to your messages, and sincerely hope you will go away when no one pays attention to you anymore. Wake up!

jot1
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Oct 23, 2004, 5:39 AM

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Talk about "world class ignorance:" Mr. Iyengar didn't put his name on it or want it on it--yet the name remains! How ignorant and weak. You also totally misquote me when you say "one who practices yoga must convert to Hinduism." I challange you to show where I have ever said that. And, finally, you say you know who I am? How silly. We are all people posting various issues to those mature enough to respond. But I see you choose and not obviously unable to respond on this most important issue. Such an attitude is very typical of those stuck in unhealthy cults.

gangadip
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Oct 24, 2004, 2:49 PM

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OK, but that's a pretty easy challenge, my dear.

"Regarding the various Yogas, however, most people miss the most obvious and basic fact, the student must be or become a Hindu."
Joti - this thread Sept 4. Just look up a few lines, you can't miss it.

Becoming a Hindu for a non-Hindu is converting to Hinduism. If this is not what you meant, if it is not your position that yoga students must become Hindus, please let us know. It really sounded like that was what you were saying.

Best wishes to you.

jot1
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Oct 27, 2004, 7:18 AM

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Dear young lady,
Sorry if the message caused confusion. It was about the student becoming a teacher in which case, yes, indeed, one would have to become a Hindu (or related sect). If you look at the context, this should be "ovbious."

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