ashtanga yoga ** yo-shak...

July 18, 2002

I am not an Aries. FBL might be. I have never considered it.

FBL is make-believe, but admits and encourages it and never

tries to pass as real.

FBL

"Goin to Montana soon..." -Frank Zappa

ashtangayoga, "Gearhart, Margee" <mgearhart@s...>

wrote:

> FBL-

> I appreciate your honest opinions. I too, have many of the

attributes that

> you describe for yourself (are you an Aries by any chance?) I

have only

> been doing Ashtanga for 18 months now and claim to know

nothing and willing

> to learn all I can. I am very, very, very, fortunate to have an

outstanding

> teacher who's mentor is Guruji himself. He teaches me

everything I need to

> know and pushes me only as far as I can go. Always

encouraging and never,

> ever discouraging. He pushes me to go to all the workshops

that i can from

> the greats who have taught him and I fully agree with your

sentiment about

> learning from your teacher's teacher.

> I, too, agree that alot of people do pretend that they are

"someone other

> then who they are," and i have met many of them along the

way. I truly

> enjoy and have become friends with the ones that love

Ashtanga and "quietly"

> "walk the walk." They are my inspirations.

> Have a great day.

> Margee

>

> >

> > funkybadlady [sMTP:no_reply]

> > Thursday, July 18, 2002 4:24 AM

> > ashtangayoga

> > ashtanga yoga Re: ** yo-shak...

> >

> > well... you really ought not to encourage me. FBL has been a

> > little on a tear lately and possibly may have crossed the line

she

> > treads ever so carefully upon...

> >

> > I do not understand what moves people (yogini shakti you

are

> > not the only one but you definitely qualify...) to give endless

> > advise about a subject matter they cannot even discuss

without

> > "quoting scripture" and refuse to answer basic questions

about

> > their credentials for giving ashtanga advise.

> >

> > If you were given permission to teach by Guruji in 1985 (17

years

> > ago) and but you no longer do ashtanga yourself or teach the

> > correct method - which you simply cannot do if you don't go

to

> > Mysore regularly and study with your own teacher, then your

> > advise should be taken with a grain of salt or at least with

this

> > information in mind - just be straight with us.

> >

> > What also makes me confused is this idea some people

have

> > that to be a yogi, you have to adopt some kind of code of

> > behaviour commonly referred to by the pretentious phoney-

> > baloneys as "YOGIC" (and gets wielded as a weapon when

> > someone says something they don't like "You are not being

> > YOGIC") and adopt some kind of "imported from

> > India"appearance and an "Imported from India" name and

start

> > pretending that life doesn't affect you because you have

choosen

> > to be above us all and you have read the Hatha Yoga

Pradipika

> > and maybe the yoga sutra of Patanjali... Yoga doesn't make

you

> > GOD, it makes you a person, and there are all kinds of

people

> > who do yoga.

> >

> > For example, someone like myself, (kind of trashy,

outspoken,

> > opinionated, obnoxious, filthy-dirty minded, rude and

fearless)

> > happens to be a disciplined yoga student with one hell of a

> > dedicated practice. So why all this phoney crap? All this "I

have

> > arrived and I am here to impart my wisdom upon you" crap. I

am

> > not impressed at all and I feel like protecting all the

beginners

> > from this kind of crap as well.

> >

> > Here are some principals to a successful yoga experience:

> >

> > 1. NEVER give a yoga teacher money to teach you if you can

give

> > their teacher money to teach you instead.

> >

> > 2. Never trust a "yoga teacher" who doesn't have a yoga

teacher

> > of their own "A teacher without a teacher takes lessons from

a

> > fool" It is a spiritual practice. Honesty is a primary principal.

> > There is no place for EGO or FALSE HUMILITY. (ps - for

those

> > who are curious, false humility is well represented in yogini

> > shakti's recent post where she tells us all how she has

adopted

> > an attitude of... blah blah blah.)

> >

> > 3. Never trust a teacher who answers questions with quotes

> > from the yoga sutras or any mysterious source that they

cannot

> > or will not reveal. Especially if it makes you feel dumb.

> >

> > 4. This one is hard, but be really, really careful before you

trust a

> > Westerner who has changed their name to something

"Indian/

> > Sanskrit" sounding. Ask them why they changed their name.

> > Giving up one's name is a very very serious matter in Hindu

> > culture and in the Vedic Tradition and is not something that

you

> > do for yourself. Thats just gross, OK? Unless of course the

> > person has a mental illness of some kind, in which case it's

> > pathetic.

> >

> > 5. If they seem phoney to you, they ARE! Don't give them

your

> > money.

> >

> > Bye and thank you for not deleting my posts.

> >

> > FBL

> >

> > ashtangayoga, "tinazym" <tinazym@h...> wrote:

> > > Thank you, FBL.

> > >

> > > For expressing a lot of what I've been feeling about certain

> > > sanctimonious newbies who have inundated the board

> > recently.

> > > I am with you all the way.

> > >

> > > Now, if only aforementioned yoginis would just ease off

and

> > fade

> > > back into the blessed obscurity from which they've come.....

> > >

> > > TZ

> >

> > Sponsor

> >

> > <http://rd./M=228862.2128520.3581629.1829184/

D=egroupweb/S=170506

> > 0955:HM/A=1155069/R=0/*http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/

ck/990-1736-1039-302

> > >

> >

> > ashtangayoga-

> >

> > Terms of

Service

> > <>.

July 19, 2002

It is true that beginners should not be dissalutioned about "YOGA". I think

most/many with sanskrit names are because their teacher gave it to them after

training and proving themselfs to be dedicated to the art, science, and life of

yoga. Some use it...some dont...I have my students call me by my name..but it

is a term of endearment for my intructor to use with me...and with Kundalini you

are also given a spirtual name which is traditional (from India) and it isn't

Sanskrit..it is another Indian lanuage (Gurumuk or something...not knowing

exactly but in the learning stages..does anyone know?) If anyone gives it to

themselves than that is kind of silly...it is more a special thing "like when

you hunny gives you a nick name" but you are still you...and I think most take

Ashtanga and many other styles of yoga from people because they CANT get to that

persons instructor..I had to drive up to NJ from VA for months and there is no

way my students in our back woods area could ever go there for a class...but

yes..if the one that taught you is up the street...well then why not just skip

over the "instructor in training" and go for the best deal...sometimes money is

an issue...sometimes our needs are not only physical yet spiritual...our

instructors and even gurus are ones that "speak to our soul" not only our

body..as I said before we all learn from each other and that one student that

trained from so and so up the street may have something beautiful to offer.

Being real is important so that you are not hurting others through your

delivery, whether it be physically (not understanding the biomechanics and

energies that are being delt with when it comes to the physical practice of

yoga), mentally (personal attacks against one another, degrading your student,

abusing the concept of the student/teacher relationship in various manners) and

spiritually (This is SENTISTIVE STUFF and if no one agrees thent hey dont

know/realize what they are playing with here!) We need to creat conducive

envoirments for peace! That is real...no fighting about words, scriptures,

credentials, who taught who, but it all boils down to peace...they come to you

to help them find peace! Our intentions are so much but we have to ask

ourselfs...are we positive energy or negitive...when have 10 bodies and the

negative mind is one of them...we have to switch this negitive mind (through

physical practice and meditation) to a more nutral mind....find peace, spread

peace, search for peace, surround yourself in peace...each cell of our body

resonds to things we think, say, and do and this energy spreads from person to

person..even over a keyboard...When we dont have peace it is out of fear of

something? If we are not affraid of anything then why is there no

peace...fearless? I think not..All of us struggle with trying to overcome my

inner fears on a daily basis ...that is real! Peace out...I tell all my students

to let their intuition speak to them..never stop listening to their inner voice

and that will keep them safe! That is their higher self and to ignore this

brings disease, fear, and depression. I have faith that most can guid their own

way when they really sit down and search for that light that they all ready have

inside..we all have it!

Autos - Get free new car price quotes

July 19, 2002

i agree.

margee

>

> Mohamed Youssef [sMTP:coolsons2229]

> Friday, July 19, 2002 7:49 AM

> ashtanga yoga

> Re: ashtanga yoga Re: ** yo-shak...

>

> It is true that beginners should not be dissalutioned about "YOGA". I

> think most/many with sanskrit names are because their teacher gave it to

> them after training and proving themselfs to be dedicated to the art,

> science, and life of yoga. Some use it...some dont...I have my students

> call me by my name..but it is a term of endearment for my intructor to use

> with me...and with Kundalini you are also given a spirtual name which is

> traditional (from India) and it isn't Sanskrit..it is another Indian

> lanuage (Gurumuk or something...not knowing exactly but in the learning

> stages..does anyone know?) If anyone gives it to themselves than that is

> kind of silly...it is more a special thing "like when you hunny gives you

> a nick name" but you are still you...and I think most take Ashtanga and

> many other styles of yoga from people because they CANT get to that

> persons instructor..I had to drive up to NJ from VA for months and there

> is no way my students in our back woods area could ever go there for a

> class...but yes..if the one that taught you is up the street...well then

> why not just skip over the "instructor in training" and go for the best

> deal...sometimes money is an issue...sometimes our needs are not only

> physical yet spiritual...our instructors and even gurus are ones that

> "speak to our soul" not only our body..as I said before we all learn from

> each other and that one student that trained from so and so up the street

> may have something beautiful to offer. Being real is important so that you

> are not hurting others through your delivery, whether it be physically

> (not understanding the biomechanics and energies that are being delt with

> when it comes to the physical practice of yoga), mentally (personal

> attacks against one another, degrading your student, abusing the concept

> of the student/teacher relationship in various manners) and spiritually

> (This is SENTISTIVE STUFF and if no one agrees thent hey dont know/realize

> what they are playing with here!) We need to creat conducive envoirments

> for peace! That is real...no fighting about words, scriptures,

> credentials, who taught who, but it all boils down to peace...they come to

> you to help them find peace! Our intentions are so much but we have to ask

> ourselfs...are we positive energy or negitive...when have 10 bodies and

> the negative mind is one of them...we have to switch this negitive mind

> (through physical practice and meditation) to a more nutral mind....find

> peace, spread peace, search for peace, surround yourself in peace...each

> cell of our body resonds to things we think, say, and do and this energy

> spreads from person to person..even over a keyboard...When we dont have

> peace it is out of fear of something? If we are not affraid of anything

> then why is there no peace...fearless? I think not..All of us struggle

> with trying to overcome my inner fears on a daily basis ...that is real!

> Peace out...I tell all my students to let their intuition speak to

> them..never stop listening to their inner voice and that will keep them

> safe! That is their higher self and to ignore this brings disease, fear,

> and depression. I have faith that most can guid their own way when they

> really sit down and search for that light that they all ready have

> inside..we all have it!

>

> Autos - Get free new car price quotes

>

> Sponsor

>

> <http://rd./M=228862.2128520.3581629.1829184/D=egroupweb/S=170506

> 0955:HM/A=1155066/R=0/*http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/990-1736-1039-302

> >

>

> ashtanga yoga

>

> Terms of Service

> <>.

July 19, 2002

Well, she can be amusing! Interesting...

>

> funkybadlady [sMTP:no_reply]

> Thursday, July 18, 2002 4:36 PM

> ashtanga yoga

> ashtanga yoga Re: ** yo-shak...

>

> I am not an Aries. FBL might be. I have never considered it.

> FBL is make-believe, but admits and encourages it and never

> tries to pass as real.

>

> FBL

>

> "Goin to Montana soon..." -Frank Zappa

>

> ashtangayoga, "Gearhart, Margee" <mgearhart@s...>

> wrote:

> > FBL-

> > I appreciate your honest opinions. I too, have many of the

> attributes that

> > you describe for yourself (are you an Aries by any chance?) I

> have only

> > been doing Ashtanga for 18 months now and claim to know

> nothing and willing

> > to learn all I can. I am very, very, very, fortunate to have an

> outstanding

> > teacher who's mentor is Guruji himself. He teaches me

> everything I need to

> > know and pushes me only as far as I can go. Always

> encouraging and never,

> > ever discouraging. He pushes me to go to all the workshops

> that i can from

> > the greats who have taught him and I fully agree with your

> sentiment about

> > learning from your teacher's teacher.

> > I, too, agree that alot of people do pretend that they are

> "someone other

> > then who they are," and i have met many of them along the

> way. I truly

> > enjoy and have become friends with the ones that love

> Ashtanga and "quietly"

> > "walk the walk." They are my inspirations.

> > Have a great day.

> > Margee

> >

> > >

> > > funkybadlady [sMTP:no_reply]

> > > Thursday, July 18, 2002 4:24 AM

> > > ashtangayoga

> > > ashtanga yoga Re: ** yo-shak...

> > >

> > > well... you really ought not to encourage me. FBL has been a

> > > little on a tear lately and possibly may have crossed the line

> she

> > > treads ever so carefully upon...

> > >

> > > I do not understand what moves people (yogini shakti you

> are

> > > not the only one but you definitely qualify...) to give endless

> > > advise about a subject matter they cannot even discuss

> without

> > > "quoting scripture" and refuse to answer basic questions

> about

> > > their credentials for giving ashtanga advise.

> > >

> > > If you were given permission to teach by Guruji in 1985 (17

> years

> > > ago) and but you no longer do ashtanga yourself or teach the

> > > correct method - which you simply cannot do if you don't go

> to

> > > Mysore regularly and study with your own teacher, then your

> > > advise should be taken with a grain of salt or at least with

> this

> > > information in mind - just be straight with us.

> > >

> > > What also makes me confused is this idea some people

> have

> > > that to be a yogi, you have to adopt some kind of code of

> > > behaviour commonly referred to by the pretentious phoney-

> > > baloneys as "YOGIC" (and gets wielded as a weapon when

> > > someone says something they don't like "You are not being

> > > YOGIC") and adopt some kind of "imported from

> > > India"appearance and an "Imported from India" name and

> start

> > > pretending that life doesn't affect you because you have

> choosen

> > > to be above us all and you have read the Hatha Yoga

> Pradipika

> > > and maybe the yoga sutra of Patanjali... Yoga doesn't make

> you

> > > GOD, it makes you a person, and there are all kinds of

> people

> > > who do yoga.

> > >

> > > For example, someone like myself, (kind of trashy,

> outspoken,

> > > opinionated, obnoxious, filthy-dirty minded, rude and

> fearless)

> > > happens to be a disciplined yoga student with one hell of a

> > > dedicated practice. So why all this phoney crap? All this "I

> have

> > > arrived and I am here to impart my wisdom upon you" crap. I

> am

> > > not impressed at all and I feel like protecting all the

> beginners

> > > from this kind of crap as well.

> > >

> > > Here are some principals to a successful yoga experience:

> > >

> > > 1. NEVER give a yoga teacher money to teach you if you can

> give

> > > their teacher money to teach you instead.

> > >

> > > 2. Never trust a "yoga teacher" who doesn't have a yoga

> teacher

> > > of their own "A teacher without a teacher takes lessons from

> a

> > > fool" It is a spiritual practice. Honesty is a primary principal.

> > > There is no place for EGO or FALSE HUMILITY. (ps - for

> those

> > > who are curious, false humility is well represented in yogini

> > > shakti's recent post where she tells us all how she has

> adopted

> > > an attitude of... blah blah blah.)

> > >

> > > 3. Never trust a teacher who answers questions with quotes

> > > from the yoga sutras or any mysterious source that they

> cannot

> > > or will not reveal. Especially if it makes you feel dumb.

> > >

> > > 4. This one is hard, but be really, really careful before you

> trust a

> > > Westerner who has changed their name to something

> "Indian/

> > > Sanskrit" sounding. Ask them why they changed their name.

> > > Giving up one's name is a very very serious matter in Hindu

> > > culture and in the Vedic Tradition and is not something that

> you

> > > do for yourself. Thats just gross, OK? Unless of course the

> > > person has a mental illness of some kind, in which case it's

> > > pathetic.

> > >

> > > 5. If they seem phoney to you, they ARE! Don't give them

> your

> > > money.

> > >

> > > Bye and thank you for not deleting my posts.

> > >

> > > FBL

> > >

> > > ashtangayoga, "tinazym" <tinazym@h...> wrote:

> > > > Thank you, FBL.

> > > >

> > > > For expressing a lot of what I've been feeling about certain

> > > > sanctimonious newbies who have inundated the board

> > > recently.

> > > > I am with you all the way.

> > > >

> > > > Now, if only aforementioned yoginis would just ease off

> and

> > > fade

> > > > back into the blessed obscurity from which they've come.....

> > > >

> > > > TZ

> > >

> > > Sponsor

> > >

> > > < <http://rd./M=228862.2128520.3581629.1829184/>

> D=egroupweb/S=170506

> > > 0955:HM/A=1155069/R=0/* <http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/>

> ck/990-1736-1039-302

> > > >

> > >

> > > ashtangayoga-

> > >

> > > Terms of

> Service

> > > < <>>.

>

> Sponsor

>

> <http://rd./M=228862.2128520.3581629.1829184/D=egroupweb/S=170506

> 0955:HM/A=1155068/R=0/*http://adfarm.mediaplex.com/ad/ck/990-1736-1039-302

> >

>

> ashtanga yoga

>

> Terms of Service

> <>.

July 19, 2002

This is to address the post to Yo-Shakti from Funky Bad Lady.

Unfortunately, yoga in the west has come to mean 'Hatha' yoga which is mainly

physical exercise, and postures (asana). In fact, asana is only a single step in

the eight-step path (Ashtanga yoga of Patanjali). Patanjali is quick to point

out that asanas are to be used as a stepping stone for the higher paths, since

just working on the beauty and welfare of an impermanent object (the body) is a

waste of time and effort.

So Asana isn't even as important as the other 7 limbs of Ashtanga. While I

myself got into Yoga for the spiritual aspect, many people use asana as their

psychological point of entry. There is no right or wrong. However, looking for a

lithe, slim body, they also find a calm, clear mind. Hoping for strength and

stamina, they also find increased determination, and concentration. Wanting to

be free of backpain, they find also, freedom from compulsive anxiety. Seeking

relief from asthma, they also find unlimited reserves of physical, and mental

energy. Trying to release tight shoulders, and a stiff neck, they find also a

new fund of enthusiasm, and joy.

In fact, Yoga is capable of delivering a remarkable range of benefits. Though

physical, and mental benefits are not Yoga's primary purpose. This is simply to

allow us to become fully in touch with who and what we are. This means not only

our transient, conditioned characteristics, with which we only too easily

identify. It also means our deeper, unconditional nature, which we rarely even

glimpse. It does this by bringing about a resolution of the conflict arising

from the polarization of opposites within us. It allows us to experience, on

every level of our being, the unity behind opposites. The relativity of all

tendencies.

Then we can see that by imposing a dualistic either/or projection on reality, we

feel isolated, exposed and unsafe. The vulnerability of this dualistic

projection generated the development of a complex and deeply embedded structure

of tension, both mental and physical. This structure is designed to protect our

vulnerability: to reduce the anxiety of being alive. However, this structure

itself easily becomes the major hindrance to our living a full, joyful life. It

does so by restricting movement: of body and of mind. Our ability to engage

directly, fully and freely with the dynamic of life is hindered by deep layers

of tension. Rigidity, and inflexibility in body, and mind restrict us to a

limited range of responses to life. Yoga is designed to free us from all

limitation.

To do this it must dismantle these restricting structures through a simple,

systematic recalibration of body, and mind. It does this through the agency of

asana (alignment), vinyasa (connectivity), bandha (energetics), pranayama

(breathing), and drushti (attentiveness). They are used to break down the

patterns of holding, and limitation from which we live. As this structure is

dismantled, the deeper, profoundly rewarding aspects of our being are revealed.

In using the body to transform the mind, the body is also transformed. It is

recalibrated, revitalized, harmonized, brought to a functional peak, both

anatomically, and physiologically, unreachable by any amount of diligent

cross-training. Then in many cases, something else begins to happen to them.

As an Ashtanga teacher, I couldn't even get certified without extensive

knowledge of each of these limbs, along with Yoga philosophy and history,

anatomy and physiology, and the list continues. But there is so much to learn in

Yoga. For me it's a lifelong journey. Most of us are still just babes in the

woods no matter how long we have been studying and practicing. And just knowing

isn't enough. You must practice all the limbs every day and in every situation.

Difficult to say the least. So when Yoga Shakti quotes 'scriptures' and so on,

frankly, she is right on. Though most Yoga aspirants wouldn't have even bothered

to answer this post, choosing to only channel their energy where they can affect

positive change, I felt compelled to clarify inaccuracies in the response.

Also, Yoga doesn't stop once you walk out the door of a Yoga class, or finish

your own asana practice. Yoga is a lifestyle, a philosophy that encompasses Self

Control (Yama), Strict observance of character (Niyama), Body postures (Asana),

Pranayama (Breathing excecises and control of prana), Pratyahara (withdrawal

from sense-desires), Dharana (concentration on an object), Dhyana (Meditation on

the Divine), and Samadhi (Union with the divine). I have many students and I am

around many teachers. Most are walking examples of each of these aspects of

Yoga, however, as with anything in life, there are those, myself included, who

haven't mastered these things. We are each only human, but what harm can be done

from aspiring to be the best we can be.

Yoga is about non-judgement, so those of us you might be referring to as

sanctimonious aren't really judging you at all. We are just following our

hearts, our spirit. Taking responsibility for what happens in our lives. Knowing

that our thoughts lead to our actions so trying to think only good things. When

each of us takes responsibility for our own actions and uses our energies in

positive ways, truly phenomenal things can happen. I am pleased to be part of

something that is bigger and better than myself, and strive each day to use

these Yoga philosophies to bring joy into my life and those around me. Yoga is

also about detachment as well as freedom from our ego.

While one might be able to quote these things, they are but a theory. The

difficulty is the practice. Just as the physical aspect of Yoga is extremely

challenging, I believe these aspects are even more difficult. Because we are

each just Human and driven by all those human frailities. But what is wrong with

trying to be, or do the best we can. That is why Yoga is about acceptance.

Acceptance of ourselves and others. Not only for where we are, but who we are.

Yoga is about detachment, unburdening yourself from the shackles of expectation

and anticipation and being in the present moment. As with anything people do, we

each bring our essence, our personality, our ego's and the like. However, in

Yoga you learn very quickly the areas of life you need to learn the most. Your

strengths as well as your weaknesses. Someone extremely egotiscal isn't someone

we should be judging. We should simply acknowledge they still have a long way to

go on their path.

The Yamas are the ethical principles of Yoga. They are non-violence,

truthfulness (with yourself and others), not stealing, celibacy (this has a new

intrepretation than 2000 years ago) and absence of greed. The observance of

these ethical principles at all times, all places and in all circumstances, is

the great vow of Yoga.

The Niyamas are personal observances that support one's practice. Like

cleanliness (of surroundings, mind and spirit), austerity, contentment,

self-study) and surrender to the Iswara (Divine). Now these are things you do,

they are things you become. If you are so inclined to want to truly follow the 8

limbs of Ashtanga Yoga.

If I were new to Ashtanga, I would seek out the Ashtanga websites for

information. Our decisions in life are only as good as credibility of the

information we have. These resources have good intentions. They are without

judgement and I have found that most of the information is extremely accurate,

not just someone's opinion. Which is always a good thing. I would also take

responsibility for my own practice and not rely on others to tell me what I

should be doing. Yoga is a personal journey. If you are truly on the spiritual

path, it really isn't something most of us go around discussing with others.

Namaste'

PureConsciousness2002

is they cannot even discuss

without

> > "quoting scripture" and refuse to answer basic questions

about

> > their credentials for giving ashtanga advise.

> >

> > If you were given permission to teach by Guruji in 1985 (17

years

> > ago) and but you no longer do ashtanga yourself or teach the

> > correct method - which you simply cannot do if you don't go

to

> > Mysore regularly and study with your own teacher, then your

> > advise should be taken with a grain of salt or at least with

this

> > information in mind - just be straight with us.

> >

> > What also makes me confused is this idea some people

have

> > that to be a yogi, you have to adopt some kind of code of

> > behaviour commonly referred to by the pretentious phoney-

> > baloneys as "YOGIC" (and gets wielded as a weapon when

> > someone says something they don't like "You are not being

> > YOGIC") and adopt some kind of "imported from

> > India"appearance and an "Imported from India" name and

start

> > pretending that life doesn't affect you because you have

choosen

> > to be above us all and you have read the Hatha Yoga

Pradipika

> > and maybe the yoga sutra of Patanjali... Yoga doesn't make

you

> > GOD, it makes you a person, and there are all kinds of

people

> > who do yoga.

> >

> > For example, someone like myself, (kind of trashy,

outspoken,

> > opinionated, obnoxious, filthy-dirty minded, rude and

fearless)

> > happens to be a disciplined yoga student with one hell of a

> > dedicated practice. So why all this phoney crap? All this "I

have

> > arrived and I am here to impart my wisdom upon you" crap. I

am

> > not impressed at all and I feel like protecting all the

beginners

> > from this kind of crap as well.

> >

> > Here are some principals to a successful yoga experience:

> >

> > 1. NEVER give a yoga teacher money to teach you if you can

give

> > their teacher money to teach you instead.

> >

> > 2. Never trust a "yoga teacher" who doesn't have a yoga

teacher

> > of their own "A teacher without a teacher takes lessons from

a

> > fool" It is a spiritual practice. Honesty is a primary principal.

> > There is no place for EGO or FALSE HUMILITY. (ps - for

those

> > who are curious, false humility is well represented in yogini

> > shakti's recent post where she tells us all how she has

adopted

> > an attitude of... blah blah blah.)

> >

> > 3. Never trust a teacher who answers questions with quotes

> > from the yoga sutras or any mysterious source that they

cannot

> > or will not reveal. Especially if it makes you feel dumb.

> >

> > 4. This one is hard, but be really, really careful before you

trust a

> > Westerner who has changed their name to something

"Indian/

> > Sanskrit" sounding. Ask them why they changed their name.

> > Giving up one's name is a very very serious matter in Hindu

> > culture and in the Vedic Tradition and is not something that

you

> > do for yourself. Thats just gross, OK? Unless of course the

> > person has a mental illness of some kind, in which case it's

> > pathetic.

> >

> > 5. If they seem phoney to you, they ARE! Don't give them

your

> > money.

> >

> > Bye and thank you for not deleting my posts.

> >

ashtanga yoga

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July 19, 2002

I agree completely!!!!!!!!!!

"Gearhart, Margee" <mgearhart wrote: i agree.