Gifts for teachers?

[Guest guest]

I have a situation where I am not sure what to

do, so I thought I would run it by all of you. My

Ashtanga teachers recently opened a second studio, and I

bought them a door banner as kind of a "congrats on the

new studio" and also a small appreciation for all

they have taught me. However, now I'm having second

thoughts on giving it to them as I don't know if it's

crossing that "teacher/student" line. Is it inappropriate

to give a gift to your teacher? I have no idea what

Pattabhi Jois' view is on this matter. I would really like

to give this gift to them, but not at the expense of

causing an awkward situation or overstepping my

boundaries. Your responses are very much

appreciated.<br><br>Namaste<br><br>M

[Guest guest]

Any gift truly from your heart will be accepted as such...

[Guest guest]

Is there something your teacher has said to you

that leads you to believe they view gifts as

inappropriate? From my own experience, from the top down, gifts

are an intregal part of a yoga teachers life. Prior

to the current popularity of our and other yoga

systems, their livelihoods depended on them. Any and all

of my gifts to Sri KP and have been met with a very

big grin and a "thank you very much". Sadhus

wandering the Indian countryside were dependant on alms and

the giving of others for food. And on a more modern

note, take a poll of the current "big" teachers and

find out how many have had trips to India and other

equally outrageous gifts donated by their more well-to-do

students. (All gifts reported to the IRS of

course).<br><br>If your teacher gets wierd, write me, I'll direct

you to a deserving yoga teacher who will gladly

accept your donations. Remember to give with a big heart

and expect nothing in return. I'm sure your gift will

be well received.<br><br>Yours in yoga.

[Guest guest]

M<br><br>that's real nice of you and should be no

problem. Traditionally in India people give gifts to their

teachers, they even touch their feet!<br><br>I once gave my

Iyengar teacher some gingerbread men in yoga asanas, and

to other teachers I've given mat bags that i had

made and was selling to other students, I've also fed

Granville and done other stuff for him.<br><br>Yoga

teachers are not gods or something untouchable they are

just lucky to be working in something that we all

love. being in awe of them is not healthy and I don't

believe they like it either. It's much better that they

become your friend...if you want to put that in a

context think of Chogyan Trumpa's teaching about your

guru being a spiritual friend...and we are talking

high lamas here. You see a friend is kind to you and

loves you and wants the best for you. A friend doesn't

try to get one up on you or be better than you or

make you feel small, because if they do that then how

can you grow?<br><br>I'll tell you a tale

briefly....the first class I had with Derek Ireland when I was

working for him at the practice place, I used to start

early before the class began as it takes me quite a

while to get through the series so it was best to be up

and running before the teacher arrived. Now derek had

been in London having cancer treatment and this was

the first class he was back I'd heard such a lot

about him, his reputation was awesome. Now I'm doing

down dog and I am shaking, I was so nervous, well he

came in and after a while it's just apparant that he's

just a guy, really nice, funny, but it's not like he's

going to shout at me or kick me out if the asana isn't

perfect. After class we'd take tea on the terrace, chat,

and it's just a beautiful morning in Crete.....same

goes for danny paradise, it's only scarey if you think

oh my god he knows Sting and he's so cool.....forget

it they are just people, we are all

unique.<br><br>This is the sad thing about the Indian yogis, the

Indian mindset is very victorian so they shout at

you....because that's how they were taught. Even Desikachar was

mostly afraid of his father, Iyengar was terrified, Jois

let him stand on him in kappotasana for half an hour

with a nail buried accidently in his calf. Now that

has nothing to do with love and compassion and isn't

very healthy. So remember there are no gods, master

and disciple stuff is based on surrender to love

otherwise it becomes abusive.<br><br>I hope your teacher

likes the banner. It's a nice feeling to give,

appreciate that.<br><br>William