By Paul M. Jerard Jr.
 Can Yoga teachers learn from books? This question may seem silly, but some traditionalists would have you believe that you can only learn Yoga under the guidance of a Guru. While the hands-on experience with a Yoga Guru is valuable, this may not always be practical.
For example: Have you ever tried to acquire free airline tickets to India? Why not? In an ideal world, your study costs, transportation, meals, and housing, in India, should be free. Now back to reality - A trip to India, from North America, is going to cost you plenty.
Do you think you can study with a Yoga Guru, and have an "all expenses paid" trip, without borrowing money? Here's an ironic fact for you: Achaurya is a traditional Yama, which clearly states that you should not enter into debt.
If you want to follow the traditional path, you cannot borrow from your "Uncle George," put your expenses on a credit card, or borrow from Mom and Dad. In fact, some Yoga traditionalists would tell you to get rid of that credit card.
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By Paul M. Jerard Jr.
 Within every form of Yoga are the tools of change. Yoga was designed to give you the tools to improve yourself, your health, and your lifestyle - at this moment. Just by practicing your favorite form of Yoga, each day, you reinforce your emotional health; but let's observe how the principle works and how to do it.
From my observation, as a Yoga and martial arts teacher, the sincerity of a "New Year's Resolution," became a joke. By Valentine's Day, most students, who suddenly made a resolution, at the beginning of January, were buried in a box of chocolates. Once again, they had given up on attending classes, and on the promise of making a permanent lifestyle change.
What makes most adults so insincere, in terms of making a commitment or a lifestyle change? The secret to making changes, that stick, is in training the mind. The mind must receive a positive emotional charge each day. We commonly call this "positive reinforcement," but it is a form of gratification that keeps us going.
Observe children and you will see this |
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By Paul M. Jerard Jr.
 Why is there a code of ethical conduct for Yoga teachers? There is a balancing act between integrity and power. Whether we like it, or not, the position of teacher, in any subject, is a position of power. At the same time, Yoga teachers must establish an environment of mutual trust.
This should be easy enough on the surface, but Yoga instructors are only human. In the words of Lord Acton, "All power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men, even when they exercise influence and not authority."
Power can have a narcotic effect, especially if we begin to believe those who praise us. There is nothing wrong with a positive self-image, as long as it is based on reality. The problems with power stem from situations where one cannot keep his or her ego "in check."
The ego is intoxicated by power. No matter who we are, all of us have a trace of ego. As a Yoga teacher, one is supposed to have developed enough inner awareness to see his |
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