Web www.GCYArticles.com

GCYArticles.com is an Article Directory featuring thousands of articles written by the Internet's top authors

Search Article Directory:



Or browse through our library of Articles written by the Internet's top authors

 
Thousands of expertly written Articles
Free Content for your website, ezine, and newsletters
Daily Updates
Receive article updates via RSS Feeds
Real Time and Weekly notifications of New Articles

 
Generate massive publicity for your web site
Potential readership of millions for your articles
Increase your traffic and sales
Boost your reputation, credibility, and name recognition
Become known as an Expert in your field

Home | Uncategorized

Click the XML Icon Above to Receive Uncategorized Articles Via RSS!

Print This Article

Post Comment Add To Favorites Email to Friends Ezine Ready

Yoga Teachers Lead by Example - Part 2

By: Paul M. Jerard Jr.

It is a shame that proper behavior, respect, and ethics do not make great headlines in the newspapers. Just watch the news, and read the newspaper for a week, to confirm what makes “good copy.” It will not take long for you to find a dozen, or dozens, of scandals.

We all make mistakes, and none of us wants to have them in print, but some are preventable. Here are some guidelines for Yoga teachers to consider when teaching their students. As a leader and role model, your ethical behavior will be duplicated by your Yoga students.

There is no need for an air of superiority within the Yoga class. Everyone is good at something, so why waste time and energy trying to impress your students, or the public, about your ability as a Yoga instructor. If students are attending your Yoga classes, they are already impressed, so there is no need to turn your Yoga studio into a “circus act.”

If someone does not practice Yoga, or is not a vegetarian, please do not bolster your ego over the issue. Do not engage in hostile debates over these issues. There is a time, place, and method for convincing people about health issues, but hostility will not convince anyone.

Bias and discrimination are hard habits to break.
Sometimes, these ideas exist within families for
generations. Yoga teachers should accept students,
regardless of race, religion, gender, ethnic origin, age, social status, or any other reason we can find to be unjustifiably bias.

In the case of age - children who are too young may have a separate Yoga class, but this depends on the patience of the Yoga teacher and the group. Some “Mommy and me” Yoga classes run along smoothly, but some adult Yoga students do not want to be in a Yoga class with children.

I teach children four years of age and up, but it is
specifically within a “Kids Yoga” class. This is much
different from a typical adult Yoga class, and the circus act I mentioned earlier might be fine. Do not be surprised to see children perform difficult asanas, but do not expose them to hazards.

In the course of a week, I teach many Chair Yoga classes, and these are age specific. However, when seniors show up to a Yoga class, at a Yoga studio, or ashram, they should be welcomed and modifications should be taught - if they are needed.

Getting back to discrimination in general: The largest
problem with bias is our history of war crimes, holocaust, atrocities, and slavery. Discrimination cannot go unchecked, and it has no place anywhere, especially in a Yoga studio or ashram. If you teach Yoga to a specific religious sect, that is fine, but do not speak harshly of those who are not present.

It comes down to the golden rule, which is very universal to most of the world’s religions, and I will conclude this part with a quote. Most of you will recognize a much similar quote within your own religion. It does shed light on the wisdom of our ancestors.

“This is the sum of duty; do naught onto others what you would not have them do unto you.” Mahabharata 5,1517.

© Copyright 2005 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Article Source: http://www.gcyarticles.com

Paul Jerard is the director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. He’s a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students wanting to be a Yoga teacher. www.yoga-teacher-training.org

Please Rate this Article

 

Not yet Rated

Powered by Article Dashboard