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...