In our first teacher training weekend in late October, we were discussing yoga philosophy, Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras, and the importance of the “8 limbs” of yoga to our practice and individual progress on “the path”. Although not totally conflicting, the Hatha Yoga Pradipika and the Yoga Sutras do offer up two somewhat distinct ways to achieve the same goal – the Pradipika through a more “physical” approach, and the Sutras through adherence to the “8 limbs”. The most notable difference? Whether or not we burden our minds (and lifestyle?) with the challenge of applying the yamas and niyamas to our daily lives, or whether we just take the full-on physical path of hatha yoga – focusing on asana, Kriyas, Pranayama practices, etc.
Since these texts were written ages ago, it’s interesting to read the opening (in most translations) of the Pradipika that expound on the yamas and niyamas as being tantamount to “organized religion”, and all the obstacles that arise in that approach – mental imbalance, unnecessary self-loathing and negative judgment, etc. I only mention and consider these statements as a yoga teacher in the context of – is it my place to preach [8-limb] control of my students’ day to day behavior? For example: If I’m speaking of “satya” (loosely translated as truth, honesty) to a group of students some of whom may have told a lie today – does this serve them and their growth, or does it turn into the opposite of “ahimsa”, with students chastising themselves for their less enlightened, yet common, human behavior? If I focus on the 1st two limbs (yamas & niyamas), yet stop after Pranayama or maybe Pratyahara – where does that leave everyone?
The same challenge arises in teaching the traditional “hatha” path. If we only teach asana, some Pranayama, maybe one kriya (neti wash), but skirt around a healthy diet, adherence to a regular and committed practice, etc. – will this help our students find their “path”?
It’s not for me to judge the best approach, from these two, or any other great philosophy. My interest in discussing these paths and texts with future teachers of “yoga”, is to: A) Discuss whether or not we truly offer one or the other in the majority of classes/studios in this country B) What we feel our students are interested in AND prepared to receive, and C) How our role as “teacher” can either help to deliver clear information based on this ancient science or tradition, or further dilute the subject matter.
Whether we focus on one or the other, if we choose to adhere to a more “traditional” approach, the challenge we have is – are we prepared to deliver, and are our students ready to receive?
Michele
Jessica
