Yoga in Practice: In Search of the Perfect Yoga - Part 3

This is the last in this series of answers to statements about Yoga students who are searching for the perfect Yoga, or the perfect Guru.

"You can't teach me anything about Yoga, I already know it."

You are absolutely right. There is an old Chinese saying, "A closed mind is like a closed book: just a block of wood." In other words, a closed mind still must go through a deep awakening process to reach its complete potential.

However, I am getting on in years, and do not have the desire to teach the intolerant, or those who already know everything. My answer to this student is: You are right, and please stay with your current Guru.

It should come as no surprise that, very often, the student who says he or he already knows everything, does not and never had a Guru. If intolerance cannot be purged from within a particular Yoga student, he or she should be banished by any self-respecting Guru.

Life is too short to waste your time teaching those who don't want to learn. In talking to my colleagues, I have found similar sentiments. Who among you wants to waste your time?

"What could I get out of Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, or Jnana Yoga?"

Each of these styles has so much to offer, but they could be classified, for the most part, as non-physical styles of Yoga. Let's briefly take a look at each one.

Bhakti Yoga is most often practiced within India. Bhakti Yoga literally means -unity through devotion to God. Therefore, this is a sectarian practice, most often practiced by Hindus. However, there are Jews, Christians, and Moslems who practice Yoga exclusively with members of their own religion. The practice of Bhakti Yoga is deeply spiritual.

Karma Yoga is unity through selfless service; also known as the Yoga of action. Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. could be considered Karma Yogis. Both were men of peace and action who ultimately gave their lives for what is right.

Jnana Yoga is unity though knowledge or the path of wisdom. Through Jnana Yoga you will discover truth without delusion or bias. Jnana Yoga requires the serious student to meditate often.

So, now you see the "big picture" and the need to keep the Yoga community together. Yoga literally means unity or union. Therefore, we must be living examples of it.

© Copyright 2006 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard is a co-owner and the director of Yoga teacher training at: Aura Wellness Center, in North Providence, RI. He has been a certified Master Yoga teacher since 1995. He is a master instructor of martial arts, with multiple Black Belts, four martial arts teaching credentials, and was recently inducted into the USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame. He teaches Yoga, martial arts, and fitness to children, adults, and seniors in the greater Providence area. Recently he wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students, who may be considering a new career as a Yoga teacher. http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html