Comment: The Ashtanga Teacher is Not Experianced. Why Should I Practice With Them?

I recently wrote a blog giving props to unathorized Ashtanga teachers. Check it out here. I got a great comment and I want to address it.

There are no authorized teachers in my town. Our new Mysore teacher is a woman who has no personal Ashtanga practice but went to Mysore for a month. Call me a snob, but I'm going to stick to my home practice-Anon

 

Here is my response:

That doesn't mean she cannot help you with your poses. Some of the poses in other forms of yoga are also present in Ashtanga. She may still have a lot of knowledge on specific poses, assists and adjustments. Some of the most knowledgeable teachers I have ever practiced with were not Ashtangis. They had a strong understanding of bodies and poses that came from training and their own personal practices. 

Also, it is about the energy of the group. Those who practice in a group tend to progress faster then those who practice on their own.  There is something about being in the room with other people that lifts you up & makes you more accountable.  Sometimes when you have eyes on you, you go a little bit harder then you would have at home.  This is often enough to push people to the next level. When you add in assists, adjustments, and the visual learning you get when you watch others, the improvement over time is usually greater then those who practice on their own. 

Maybe you can help her. Many of the Ashtanga teachers & practitioners in my area seek to lift each other up. We share knowledge and grow together. If you do know more, why not be a beacon of light to her and help her grow? Give her little tips on how you mastered Marichiasana. Show her how you like to be assisted. Let her see you practice and learn from you. Maybe you can light her fire and get her to practicing more. Hold her accountable. As a new Ashtanga teacher, she is going to make mistakes. All new teachers make mistakes. All humans make mistakes. How can we help each other grow?

Also, the energy of the group brings more Ashtanga and more authorized teachers. If you practice at home, the yoga studios feel there is no interest in Ashtanga and they don't seek to grow it.  Yoga studios follow the money. If enough Ashtangis show interest and speak to the studio owners about the need for more experienced teachers, the yoga studios would look for them. In many cases, they feel the numbers are so low, it doesn't matter. The reality is that where energy goes, things grow. 

The teacher may suck. I don't know that. But have you given her an honest shot with an open heart and no judgement? I would recommend meditating and clearing your mind of judgement and showing up to her class seeking good things not bad. If she truly sucks, meaning, her assists are unsafe,she is not open to feedback, suggestions and learning, not following  or representing the tradition, then I understand never going back. 

No one wants to attend a class that doesn' t speak to their heart.  I am not saying you should go to this person's class every morning at 6AM with bells on if she is not doing it for you. However, maybe consider some of the points I made and show up when you can to support the growth of the teacher, your practice and Ashtanga in your city.

 Video of The Day

 

Comments

[Rebecca]

Well, I know this crazy chick who wears fleurs in her hair all the time. She's not certified or authorized, so I don't know WHO she thinks she is...but I practice with her anyway...and have for years, because she makes me to laugh and enjoy my practice, and, as a consequence, I get better ;)

[Shanna Small]

I know that crazy chic too!

[Nobel]

Nice post, Shanna. I have just written a post in response to your previous post on my blog:

http://yogadragonden.blogspot.com/2012/10/on-unauthorized-and-uncertified.html

Thought I'd let you know :-)

[LaGitane]

Hi Shanna. Thanks for your comment on my blog! I enjoyed this post and the previous one about homegrown Ashtanga teachers - it's a really interesting discussion. I'm all for homegrown teachers, but I have to say that, like this commenter, I would probably be a bit cautious about attending class with a teacher who doesn't have a personal practice in what she is teaching. If you believe in something enough to want to teach it, surely you should be practicing it as well? Otherwise, what is your motivation for trying to transmit it to others? Where does that inner fire to teach come from, if not from your own practice? How can she be "representing the tradition" if she is not practicing it herself? That said, maybe it's a healthy thing to step back and realise that asana is asana, and the main thing is your own practice and being your own guru. As you say, the energy of a group practice environment is a beautiful thing, and there is no reason a non-Ashtanga teacher can't help you in the poses, which after all are shared among all modern Hatha yoga disciplines.

I think your primary point is the most important one, namely, that you never know until you try and you shouldn't be too hasty to judge! Well said.

[Shanna Small]

Yes, you got my point entirely! I think if you have other options, go for it. However,there are sometimes where just having an extra pair of eyes can help your practice. There was a pose in second that I was having the hardest time with and I had been working on it for years. I had been given this pose by an authorized teacher who left town right after to go back to whatever paradise they came from.

One day, I got out of my house and took a totally inconvenient 6AM Ashtanga class 30 minutes away. The teacher looked at me and simply said, "turn your toes" and like magic I could do the pose.

That is the type of stuff I am talking about. Yes, Parampara is important, but a teacher who is knowledgeable on any kind of yoga may be able to give you a few words that will change your life.

[Shanna Small]

I loved your post. Thanks for reading.