Why we should not teach 200 Hour Ashtanga Yoga
The same way there is no 200 Hour Iyengar Teacher Training Course.
1. Dedication to the Ashtanga Yoga System
The Primary Series can not be learn in one month.
The Primary Series should not be teach by non practitioner.
2. Teaching a 200 Hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Course is disrespectful
Second toward senior teachers who have a bigger knowledge than any other so call Yoga School in the world teaching that method into a one month format.
Third: you can teach something else, call it as Vinyasa Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, Flow Yoga but using the pretext that you have been watching videos on Youtube, knowing the sanskrit counting for all vinyasas does not make you a practitioner.
Or if you really want to teach it then PRACTICE IT!
That is at least the last thing you can do.
Be honest with yourself and with your students and wake up every early morning, unfold your mat and go and sweat on your mat each day of your life, not only 3 weeks, not only 1 week, no do it regularly, try to understand the concept of Tapas if you are calling yourself a "Yogi" or a Yoga teacher.
3. Selling a 200 Hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Course is lying to students
Because most of the time students who register to this kind of course have absolutely no clue about Ashtanga Yoga, some of them does not even know who was Sri Krishnamacharya, some of them does not even know what is the "Mysore" Style..... they are fully beginners, and in one month they will become certified in "Ashtanga Yoga" as for most us it takes at least 18 months just to assimilate the Primary Series!
I was one of them, in 2012 I attend a 200 Hour Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Course. And it took me 4 years to understand that it was wrong.
In the West we have the conception that India is the source of Yoga.
Therefore we tend to believe any yoga teachers who will wear a dhoti, a dot on the forehead and speak in Sanskrit.
From our point of view we will be completely amazed by it.
Then when we come back to our country we will be proud to say "My Indian Teacher", it will give more weight to our resume and to our yogic experience. Because we trust.
The reality is slightly different. Some Indians Teachers know it even thought they have a very limited understanding of the West, but who cares, they start surfing on the wave of Yoga and start making so much money that they won't stop.
They are not even practicing what they are teaching. But under the pretext that they know all sanskrit name of all asanas, that they "know" the Primary Series and the vinyasa counting it is sufficient for them to declare themselves as practitioner of the Ashtanga.
Same for westerners, they come to Mysore because that is the "place to be", take a picture with Sharat or just sit at the entrance of the main shala for the picture and then when they come back home they are claiming to have learned yoga from the source..... after one or three months practice.....
I met a girl in Gokulam who was practicing with Sarawasthi. She then become friend with Sharmilla and told me that after 6 months she wanted to get her authorisation from Sarawasti.
I told her it is not gonna happened. She did not believe me. Not to mention that she was a beginner and a Zumba teacher....
A teacher capable to jump back and jump front does not mean that he/she is practicing. Watch their practice when they are showing asana, if at all they can show.
In two seconds you can see that Mark Robberds, Iain Grysak, Steve Hyland or John Scott are practitioners because they are carrying their practice into their body.
Actually their practices are printed into their body. The body don't lie!
As soon as they move to show one simple asana you notice it.
Catching, not catching?
However, in order to be able to catch or bind take commitment, regularity, dedication, practice.
Because anyone with a regular practice can do it, that is the powerful message of the Ashtanga Yoga Practice.
You can do whatever you want with your mind and your body if only you have the dedication for it.
The same way some people without any practice might be able to lift up in Mayurasana, just by the strength of their arms but certainly not because of a regular practice.
Unfortunately this little circus trick might be sufficient enough to impress beginners students.
Do not become an Ashtanga Yoga Teacher but do become a Practitioner.
Enjoy your practice!
Here are few Ashtanga Yoga Teachers that deserve more than a look:
Iain Grysak (Ubud)
Steve Hyland (Pattaya, Thailand)
Mark Robberds (Australia, or Bali or everywhere else in the world)
John Scott (everywhere in the world)
Manju Jois
David Swenson
Richard Freeman
Mary Taylor
Laruga Glaser (Sweden)
Nicola Legrez (Paris, France)
Arnaud Kancel (Montpellier, France)
Caroline Bourlinguez (Paris, France)
Ajay Tokas (India)
All of theses brillant teachers are having intensive workshops, training courses. Just have a look, if you want to start your journey with the Ashtanga start it on a good way!
- Namaste -
No comments:
Post a Comment