Yoga Teacher Training - Explaining Attachment to Outcome

By Paul Jerard

What is the method used by veteran Yoga instructors to reach their highest potential? Some teachers joke about it by saying, "Practice, practice, study, and practice again." While this is partially true, there is also a step-by-step process to reaching your full potential as a Yoga teacher; but some people claim we should never be attached to outcome. Otherwise, we will never reach the highest states of meditative absorption (Samadhi). Let's be honest: If you were never attached to outcome, what contribution would you make to your family, friends, co-workers, the world around you, or this life?

To some degree, everyone is attached to an outcome. Every enlightened soul, saint, and prophet, was attached to outcome. Every noble cause is fueled by an objective outcome. Karma Yoga (selfless service) is influenced by attachment to outcome. Everyone is attached to outcome, when performing Karma Yoga. Why else would they do it? For example: Mahatma Gandhi must have been attached to an outcome, which was India's independence. He was one of the most enlightened souls of the 20th century.

Let's get a reality check. If we do nothing, we will accomplish nothing, and if we find a state of meditative absorption, with this kind of a mindset, we are guaranteed to do nothing with it. What a shame it would be if every enlightened soul, saint, and prophet, throughout history, worried about being attached to outcome. Can you imagine if every inventor, explorer, and statesman, in our history, refused to take action, because he or she might be too attached to an outcome? Nobody would ever take action to prepare for anything and we might not exist.

The first person to say the words, "Detach oneself from outcome," had an intention, took action, and was attached to the outcome of saying those words. This is a pure paradox. In fact, this is a complete misinterpretation of the concept of non-attachment.

So, what should we be detached from? Anything which causes emotions, such as: Greed, lust, and envy, should be a consideration. Attachment to worldly possessions, and relationships, should be moderate. When objects and relationships become an unhealthy obsession, or a compulsive preoccupation, immoral or criminal behavior becomes possible. Detachment is noble, and it prevents crime, but we cannot be detached from everything.

Therefore, you can live a spiritual life, help others, show loving kindness, and forgive, without fear of being attached to the outcome. Once again, moderation is a key element in Yoga practice.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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Yoga Teacher Training Aspects - Reminders to Yoga Students

By Paul Jerard

When we teach a Yoga class, there are many things to remind our students. We want to be sure that everyone, attending our Yoga class, receives the best possible experience. Let's look at a short list of topics that will help your students on their journey of self-discovery.

"Being present for practice," and "living in the moment," seem like worn out slogans, at times, but students need to be reminded; without the mind and body connection, there is no presence in their practice. Therefore, teachers need to remember that Pranayama techniques are a very important ingredient in creating a connection between mind and body, which results in presence.

Non-judgment of oneself, and others, helps students create self-awareness without competition. This is a unique mindset for many people, who come into the Yoga studio from work and commuter traffic. Competition is outside the Yoga class, but it should never be allowed to exist within the walls of your studio.

Yoga students need to be reminded of this, in each class, for their mental health, emotional health, and physical safety. The result is a calm mind and an Asana practice without injury. Every student should leave our classes feeling better than when he, or she, came through the doors.

We have briefly touched on Pranayama, but students need to remember to breathe completely and deeply, throughout the session. As teachers, it is easy to forget what comes naturally. Yet, most people are rarely conscious of their breathing, unless they are reminded of it.

If you teach Asanas in your classes, students need to be aware of their "comfort zone" and their "edge." The comfort zone is self-explanatory, but we know it as a range of motion without pain. The edge is the range, where we are at our physical limit, but we are still not in pain. The saying: "Work smart, not hard," applies to the edge of the movement. Student safety is priority number one, in all Yoga classes.

At the same time, your students should be reminded that the Yogic path is full of discoveries and treasures, which will help them with their inner challenges. They learn from us, but they also learn from within. Self-discovery is a rewarding part of Yoga practice. Therefore, they should be encouraged to develop a safe practice at home, and to take Yoga with them, wherever they go. As any Yoga teacher already knows: Our practice does not end, when we roll up our Yoga mats.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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Yoga Teacher Training Aspects - Class Presentation

By Paul Jerard

Once you have become a certified Yoga instructor, there are a number of ingredients involved in your class presentation and future growth. Any person, who teaches any subject, must have good diplomatic skills. The leap from student to teacher is a large one, and it comes with newfound responsibilities.

You must make it a point to learn your students' names and mentally retain them. You will want to greet each student by name with a smile. You must be prompt for class, happy, calm, helpful, encouraging, respectful, positive, and courteous, at all times - even when you have your own problems.

The strongest positive point, in arriving to class 15 minutes early, is "environmental concerns." If we show up to class late, the thermostat is not set right, water is on the floor, the power is out in the room, or the fan does not work. The result is, your Yoga class will not start on time, and your energy is not focused on the class.

You should be mentally prepared, well groomed, have music with you (if you use it), and be wearing the proper clothing to teach a Yoga class. You should have a class lesson plan in your mind. Lesson plan notes seem to take away your students' confidence in you. Students should have a perception of confidence in you and your teaching method.

You should respond to questions. One student may ask a question, which is on other student's minds. At the same time, it is important to avoid digressing. So, stick to the point, avoid tangents, and get back to your lesson plan, after you have politely answered a question. At the same time, be prepared to elaborate with your students after, or before, your Yoga classes.

You may also want to share a small example of Yogic philosophy, or a quote, applied to daily life, at some point during your class. I usually cover something related to daily life at the end of class, after meditation.

As much as the importance of starting on time has been mentioned, it is also important to end the class at the scheduled time. Some Yoga teachers start late and end late. Others want to add one more sequence or have too much material on their lesson plan. Show respect to your students.

They have lives and obligations outside of your Yoga class. If you want to reduce stress in their lives, end your class at the scheduled time. The students who want to know more about Yoga will "hang around" after class.

© Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com - He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

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