Guest guest Posted April 4, 2000 Report Share Posted April 4, 2000 Hello Everybody,<br>Thank you for all of your previous posts. It seems that many of your specific questions about comparative teaching methods and styles give rise to the following teacher-student dynamic issues. Please help me sort through these issues for the benefit of new as well as seasoned teachers. Feel free to add other issues that you encounter in your teaching. Perhaps to some of you the answers to these questions will seem obvious, irrelevant, or even too "political," but I think a discussion would be valuable. Here is an outline format:<br><br>YOGA TEACHING ISSUES<br>1. Given the likelihood of “hierarchy misperception” by students, is it inappropriate for a teacher to:<br>a. be “taught” adjustments by another teacher (whether senior or not) in front of her students?<br>b. participate in a self-practice group with her students?<br>c. participate in the same class with her students while being instructed by a different teacher?<br>-if instructing teacher is senior teacher<br>-if instructing teacher is peer/friend teacher<br><br>2. How can I deal with an intractable student compassionately while maintaining “control” over the classroom, especially since the ashtanga yoga method requires strict adherence to the sequence of the asanas?<br>a. Student insists on advancing in the series but is not proficient at the preceding asanas<br>b. Student cites a teacher who allowed him to advance to a certain point of the series<br>c. Student rejects my asana adjustment and cites another teacher’s style [of teaching or practice] in defense<br><br>3. In light of the burgeoning number of Ashtanga yoga teachers and the associated teaching issues above, how can we still create a cohesive Ashtanga yoga community without violating ahimsa?<br><br>Thank you in advance for your thoughtful responses.<br>Namaste,<br>Betty Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2000 Report Share Posted April 5, 2000 YOGA TEACHING ISSUES<br>1. Given the likelihood of “hierarchy misperception” by students, is it inappropriate for a teacher to:<br>a. be “taught” adjustments by another teacher (whether senior or not) in front of her students?<br>------<br>From what I've seen of the interactions between several adept astanga yogis at my school, I'd say no, it's not inappropriate per se . . . but I'm sure the who, how, and why of each teaching situation contains many variables.<br>---<br><br>b. participate in a self-practice group with her students?<br>----<br><br>Since my teacher doesn't do this -- only does Mysore with other teachers -- I imagine he has his reasons for do so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2000 Report Share Posted April 5, 2000 Regarding the full practice of yoga, the student and teacher should see the following 'problems' as the practice of the first two limbs of the whole Ashtanga system. Knowing this, the teacher should share her/his concern for nonharm but allow the ultimate decision to be the students and for the student to work through their 'total' yoga practice. The teacher, apart from being an expert on asana, should also be 'expert' at these two limbs as well. If this is so, then the teacher should have no problem viewing the situation with wise compassion. This is not realistic as we are all on the path so the teacher must see this as her/his practice as well and not try to get rid of or be pestered by its occurence. 'Control' may be a delusion. The yoga controls not the teacher. The teacher should stand behind the limbs and only hope the student will respect this and move forward in their practice. This is the best you can do.<br><br><br>How can I deal with an intractable student compassionately while maintaining “control” over<br> the classroom, especially since the ashtanga yoga method requires strict adherence to the<br> sequence of the asanas?<br> a. Student insists on advancing in the series but is not proficient at the preceding asanas<br> b. Student cites a teacher who allowed him to advance to a certain point of the series<br> c. Student rejects my asana adjustment and cites another teacher’s style [of teaching or<br> practice] in defense<br><br>Yeshe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 5, 2000 Report Share Posted April 5, 2000 I have been in classes with my teacher acting as student whilst being taught by a senior teacher (Tim Miller). Also I have been in self-practice groups with my teacher. Until I read this question I never gave it a second thought. As for any “hierarchy misperception” one should always give the teacher before them all due attention even if the student on the mat next to you is Professor T. Krishnamacharya himself. This would also be my answer for part 2 of your questions. Students that presume to know more than the teacher in front of them do not need to be there at all or need to use it as a lesson in surrendering ego. <br>From time to time I attend yoga classes offered by the YMCA that are geared toward seniors or total beginners, having a superior attitude would only hinder what knowledge might possibly come out of one of those classes.<br>As for commenting on question 3, I will leave that for others.to cast the first stone at ahimsa. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 6, 2000 Report Share Posted April 6, 2000 Regarding item #2 of your querie:<br><br>You have witnessed the Guru's style of teaching, keep that in mind when a student gives you a lesson in your teaching style you don't like or feel is out of line. I remember delving deep into the heart of Iyengar country with Guruji on his first extended stay in San Francisco. There were quite a few of Sri BKS's students attending. At the time, Pattabhi Jois was a small name in comparison and some of these students were only there to check it out. These folks, some who appear regularly in Yoga Journal got much more than they wanted. There was alot of resistance to his methods and occasionally some naive soul would start to invoke their teacher's name only to have the Guru roar at them "you do!". <br><br>Control, he had it. Afterwards, he would say to me, pointing out the biggest offenders, "these very bad people". <br><br>You don't have to teach everyone. After you excuse a few of the undeserving from your class, you may gain what you're looking for. <br><br>Best of luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 7, 2000 Report Share Posted April 7, 2000 Hi Betty, Regarding the teaching issues: on "hierarchy misperception"a.I think it won't do much to inspire confidence in new students for the teacher to be taught adjustments by another teacher but in for instance a teacher training or workshop setting it could be OK.<br>b. I think it's fine for a teacher to participate in a practice group with students - why not?<br>c. I see no problem in a teacher participating in another teachers class with students. How about if you are in Mysore at the same time as some of your students? No problem there,we all remain students at some level.<br>On the contol of classroom question: The teacher can remind the student of the fact that they are presently in this class with this teacher. Depending on the situation a teacher can explain why they hold this or that opinion or just leave it at that.Teachers need to accept that not every student will connect with then . A high level of personal detachment is needed. If you put it out to the best of your ability and leave the result to God what else can you do?<br>On the last issue: A cohesive Ashtanga community can be created by keeping firmly centered in the practice. Teachers can disagree on some points and remain supportive if the egos can be keep to a minimum. Aparigraha non grasping needs to be there especially on the part of teachers who should always ask themselves by whose grace do I teach. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 10, 2000 Report Share Posted April 10, 2000 I practice with my teacher on a regular basis and I consider myself lucky. It's a small group, I'm the oldest person and have the least experience, I've only been practicing Ashtanga for one year.<br> I think it's a good to be exposed to a dedicated and strong practioner. If I want, I can stop if something catches my eye. It could be a seemingly effortless handstand or maybe a pose he is struggling with or the intensity of practice. It could be the intangible air of years of yoga, but it increases the level of my own practice.<br> Familiarity can increase the bonds of respect, it's a two way street. I feel fortunate to practice with my teacher.<br><br>Hope this helps<br>Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.