Teaching styles

[Guest guest]

Let's not forget that Mr Iyengar ... and Patthabi

Jois, whose forceful adjustments have also sometimes

given rise to some controversy in ashtnaga circles ...

come from a different generation than most of us, when

approaches to teaching and what was expected in the

externalities of a teacher/student relationship were very

different. Not just in India but in the west too. Both of

them have more than "paid their dues" and are entitled

to do whatever they want to do in whatever way they

want to do it. Just as students are free to choose to

study with them and accept their teaching styles, or

not.<br><br>Younger teachers generally have a more modern, softer,

outwardly respectful teaching style - not just westerners

but also, I suspect, younger Indian teachers - e.g.

Sharath or this guy Venkatesh in Mysore about whom I'm

hearing interesting things (anybody here studied with

him?). Is this a good or a bad things? Does a more

approachable teaching style automatically water down the

teaching? Does it imply/require less dedication on the part

of the student? Not if the student is serious and

committed. No amount of softer, gentler teaching can alter

the fact that some things are inherently hard. And

part of what a good teacher does - as my teacher did

with me last week in yoga mudrasana - is to take

students beyond their fear barriers and perceived limits

of what is possible. Can't do that whilst still

having everybody feel happy and comfortable all the

time. Also can't do it without mutual respect and

trust.<br><br>(Herr Schädel, thanks for posting the iyengar article -

looks interesting but I'll have to getback to it when I

have more time - I find the language quite difficult

and it will take me more time to get through it than

I have at work)

[Guest guest]

Hi ya..this is off subject but..I tried to access the photo you have on your

profile..nottathing came up..hehe..what's w/that??<br><br>Robin M.

[Guest guest]

And let's not forget the commercial side. When

Iyengar and P.Jois where young, Yoga, especially the

physical interpretation with so much emphasis on the

asanas, was not so popular worldwide and even in india.

Therefore the original guru-relation was still

important.<br>Nowadays, thousands or even millions of people do yoga for

health, relaxation or any other reason. For the teachers,

on one hand they can make a living teaching yoga. On

the other side, they won't find the same dedication

as the early Gurus.<br>If you push your students too

hard in any way, most of them will leave. No students,

no money.<br>Perhaps this is a little bit

simplified, but has to be taken in consideration.

[Guest guest]

Er, dunno. Haven't looked at my profile page for a while. Seems to have gone

missing. Which probably means it was time to change it anyway.