I recently read an ad for a yoga teacher training stating that yoga instructors make an average $53,000 a year. Other than this being sadly misleading and a horribly false statement it should in no way be a factor when deciding to initiate studies with a teacher or if aspiring to teach classes. Consider this an omen to be wary of any teacher who advertises their yogic instruction with promises of material success. Ironically, you don't need teacher training to become a yoga instructor as yoga is currently unregulated and certification is only a formal expression that states you took a course. I feel that practice itself is the best teacher and most authentic source for self learning. A real teacher is one who can intensify the desire to go deeper within yoga as well as inspire one to stay consistent. Teacher training is important as it intensifies practice, pushing one to study worlds untouched and methods unknown. Teacher training will help reveal a profound peace that yoga will create as well as unveil an inner harmony that brings freshness to life. Yet, I'm disgruntled with attempts to mix yoga instruction into career move advertisements, which I feel waters down the process. Still the choice is up to the student and a choice is a powerful karma that can either earn big money or stress the credit card.

I say enroll in teacher training but with the motives to learn, not to gain certification. Enroll in studies with a teacher that you feel happy to be around yet inspired to learn with. Sign up for TT with the intention to share what you gain not for $53,000 an year. It is not my desire to attack but to raise awareness and to inspire the search for great teachers.   

My time here in Northeast Florida is closing and as the year slowly fades away I can't help but look into the past twelve months and think, what has been left unsaid.

Much love and happy searching.

A list of teachers and schools whom I recommend from personal experience.

http://www.ashtangayogacenter.com/

http://www.drclaudiawelch.com/

http://kpjayi.org/

http://ayurveda.com/

http://www.drsvoboda.com/

http://blissyogashala.com/

          

I was recently reminded of an all time favorite novel, Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, by Robert M. Pirsig. A must read if you have yet to consume his work. Though the majority of the book is an enjoyable ride, exciting passages do come with a far amount of dry philosophy, which I lovingly devour. One statement Pirsig makes stands beyond the rest, personally speaking and has remaind glued in my memory.

"The Past cannot remember the past. The future cannot generate the future. The cutting edge of this instant right here and now is always nothing less then the totality of everything there is."

Current moments, at times, have a tendency to be experienced as bland or boring, despite everything that may be going on. Such a pity. Thus, fear becomes a great motivator, as well as the great mental conditioner, for fear of boredom and and anything mundane is an emotional response that may be happening more than one realizes . Fear is a beast of a problem and with it's subtle nature he's hard to fish out. Yoga and ayurveda both look to fear as a perpetrator for many problems, as mental imbalances often lead to physical ailments. Fear has to be digested and roasted, just as much as food has to be metabolized, otherwise the seeds of the fear tree continue to breed their forest of fear. To roast these seeds takes a bit of effort but it should never be thought of as an impossible task that will require lifetimes of ascetic practice. Many teachers who I have observed from a distance in personal experience, create an image of practice (the fear dispeller) as a near impossible quest that requires the intensity of a celibate monk. (it is not my intenion to judge.....but I'm just sayin). As Dr. Vasant Lad says, the renunciates are just as confused as everyone else. I like what Mr. Pirsig says, it's applicable to all moments of life, as everything that's happening is truly a result of everything that has already happened. And it's simple. Yes, karma is happening. Be friends with your fear and roast the seed of affliction with light of awareness and presence with the totality of all that makes the moment. But less poetically and more simply, make an attempt to stay calm as much as possible. Good Luck.

With love...

 

October has been a steady alternation between busy and slow, both in teaching and in preparation for the upcoming year. I returned to Miami for purposes of ayurveda which became a reunion of sorts,seeing old friends from my time in the city and crossing paths with a friend from Skagway. Enjoyed a night at Tap Tap http://www.taptaprestaurant.com/ on 5th st. South Beach, a Haitian restaurant celebrating with classic voodoo style with songs all sung in creole and Haitian dance. Taught all weekend t miami life center  http://miamilifecenter.com/ and enjoyed mysore classes with the amazing Tim Feldmann. This was followed with a great weekend at Yoga Life http://www.yogalifejax.com/ with talks on ayurvedic nutrition. Nice meeting new faces and all with a great interest in ayurveda, as well as hanging out at in such a warm shala.

Though I already have it posted on this blog, this quote has been vibrating in my head for the past few days. Thus, I find it of importance to post it here at this location. Please read and extract what you want for it's words.

Through direct investigation of your origin, of who you are, Only the real remains in all its splendor… To find the origin [is] to find what simply is before any form. It is not a meeting of two parts. It is not in the past and it is not outside of you

-anonymous-

New Again

As all things change, so does one's blog. After attempting to log into my old account for a consecutive three days I discovered that due to my email address I will never be allowed to visit earth and now as it creator ever again (most likely due to my poor computer skills). Thus, with a change of one word and a few other additions, earth and now has now become earth and THE now. If you are a faithful follower of this blog and are reading this then you will have already discovered that it's a bit new. As for the others lost in space, please inform your friends and loved ones about Earth and The Now...

View of Skagway, Alaska from upper lake.

More to come as this blog takes off. Stay tuned if you so dare.