Believe In Yourself
  • Be Yourself
  • Blog
  • Be Creative
    • Beverages
    • Breakfasts
    • Mains
    • Salads
    • Sides & Soups
    • Desserts
    • Bars, Cookies & Breads
    • Cheeses & Dips
    • Dressings & Sauces
  • Be Healthy
  • Be Free
  • Be Inspired
  • Be Bendy

Shut Up & Listen to Me When I Teach You Yoga

2/1/2015

1 Comment

 
Picture
I came across this article today written by a fellow Bikram teacher Gina, who I recently met at the Phuket Teaching Training and I thought it was quite well expressed. As a Bikram teacher I find that other teachers or practitioners from other styles of yoga quite often offer such resistance when they come into the hot room, or have some preconceived notion when they heard that we teach 'hot' yoga. I remember a friend and fellow teacher who participated in a yoga CPR course, and when she introduced herself as a Bikram teacher, a Vinyasa teacher made a face and said to her "you will never see me in a Bikram room".

I understand that Bikram is quite a different style of yoga to others, and one of the big things is that we don't demonstrate, instead there's step by step precise instructions and commands which offers everyone a chance to try everything the right way. So why not just try the right way? At the end of the day, it doesn't matter what style of yoga you practice, if you resist, and insist of doing things YOUR way, then your body and your mind are what's affected, it certainly doesn't affect the teacher at all.

Bikram aside, let's address ALL yoga styles... It takes a lot to be humble, to take your ego down several notches and not walk into ANY yoga room thinking you know better. I have to say, personally I prefer Bikram classes, however when I walk into an Ashtanga class, or a Yin class, I don't think 'why don't you do it like this', or 'it's better this way', or 'I'm just going to do it my way', instead, I listen and try to do it the way I've been told or shown, as it simply comes down to respecting that particular style of yoga. Who cares if the Bikram Trikansana is different from the Ashtanga style, in a Bikram class do it their way, in an Ashtanga class do it their way.

In saying that, it's also important as teachers to teach the right style for the students . If you're in a Bikram studio, despite whatever other trainings you have, teach Bikram. If you're in Ashtanga, don't throw some Iyengar postures into there because you think it's 'cool' or want to mix it up. The students who pay to learn, to give you their time, their trust, as teachers, let them have a honest chance at that style of yoga.

So whether you practice or teach, stay true to the form, stay present, be humble and just try the right way.


1 Comment
Nancy Perin
2/1/2015 03:00:15 pm

Absolutely Love this!!! Exactly what Bikram Choudhury says in Teacher Training too. Well Said, very clear and precise!! I totally agree with NEVER EVER "mix it up"

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    "I am not what happened to me,
    I am what I choose to become"
    Carl Gustave Jung

    I'm Binny, a full time Bikram Yoga teacher and studio owner that lives in Perth, Australia.

    I started this blog to share the things I love the best in the world: being healthy and happy, food (especially raw), yoga, traveling and most importantly, learning how to love and be true to myself.

    I suffered from severe digestive problems when I was younger, being gluten and lactose intolerant, and developed compartment syndrome and fibromyalgia in my teens. I have lived with constant pain for over 16 years now.

    Over the past 10 years, I've shifted to a mainly plant based diet and realised that being well and healthy is a way of life. I have been teaching Bikram yoga since 2011, in the US and Australia. Due to my health issues I've also had a lot of bodywork done as well as explored alternative therapies.

    I've become much more aware of myself as a result of all this - physically, mentally, spiritually and emotionally. Right now I love my life. In my career I love what I do and I do what I love. I have traveled to some amazing places around the world and made lifelong friends. In between working and traveling, I cook up a storm in the kitchen, especially raw  desserts, spend time with the people I love the best, which now includes a yoga husband, a mini yogini Estell, and our dog! I try to listen to my body the best I can.

    I truly believe that we all have the power and the capabilities to heal our own bodies, to nourish the spirit and seek our own happiness and life's purpose. This my journey...

    Archives

    August 2019
    March 2019
    November 2018
    January 2018
    December 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013

    Categories

    All
    Body Health
    Detox
    Food Health
    Gluten Free
    Inspiration
    Markets & Restaurants
    Raw
    Recipes
    Travel
    Vegan
    Vegetarian
    Workshops
    Yoga

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.