A phrase that should stay with any teacher, is to always have an empty cup, ready to be filled. That is to say, if you have a cup that is full, nothing new can enter. As teachers and students alike, we must always be willing to learn new things.
A 300-hour yoga teacher training is a great way to increase your knowledge base and refine your teaching tools. It builds on the knowledge from the 200-hour certification, and adds greater detail into every limb of the practice.
There is no doubt, with Hatha Yoga and its explosion in popularity in the west, that physical poses (asanas) have become very prominent. Yes, it is a great feeling to touch your toes, balance on your hands etc. But what is the point?
People often like to stand for something, protest against injustices, campaign for peace etc. But first, we must find truth within. Reacting against exterior situations, when you have not reconciled with yourself, will lead to nothing but violence (on the inside as well as on the outside)
Ahimsa is the first of the five vows depicted in the yamas. The yamas are the first of the eight limbs presented in the yoga sutras of Patanjali. Iyengar refers to them as ‘universal vows’ (Iyengar, 143, 1993) in his commentary on the sutras, and thus, should be adopted by all yoga practitioners. They act as a framework on which all forthcoming practice can flourish.
We spent the month of April in China spreading the message of Yoga and universal peace with eight budding new teachers!
An account from one of our ex-pupils. He shares what Rishikesh means to him, and why it is so special.
Om Yoga Academy is a school in the holy town of Rishikesh. It is run by husband and wife Kelly and Satver. They have always wanted to share this wonderful practice and have spent their lives teaching and helping others realise and experience that same joy.
