Guest Blog - Not Hitching Your Wagon to One Yoga Star

​














This week's Guest Blogger, Susan Greenwood has shared her views below on yoga styles.  At the same time, I have been experiencing a few yoga styles and many teachers this summer.  I've enjoyed the different styles and experiences of yoga, yet for me, I am even more committed to the Sivananda style of yoga. I've learned some helpful nuances to incorporate in my practice and some nice alternatives for those with injuries, to share when I teach.  But, I like my Sivananda practice.
It is interesting that Susan and I have both been in the yoga discovery mode.
To be in touch with Susan, contact her at sgreenw2828@hotmail.com.  

Every so often I review my yoga practice – what’s working, what’s not.  And after that I often find I’m looking for a new studio or teacher.  Alas, the idea of sticking with one guru/one yoga teacher doesn’t work for me.  I have to confess.  Currently I practice at 3 different studios with 4 different teachers. Over the years, I’ve enjoyed classes from teachers in the lineages of Iyengar, Hatha, Kriya, classical, Astanga and Forest.   And all these classes have led to a lot of different cues from a lot of different teachers buzzing around in my head.

Does that make me crazy?  Well, yes, sometimes!  It’s especially bad when I get into a favorite asana, like side angle, and then the teacher comes over and says “do you mind if I correct your position?”  The correct position??  Not according to my Kriya teacher!  Nor my Iyengar teacher! But OK, work on my alignment.  And you know, here I am - adjusted.  It’s interesting, it’s OK.  Sometimes it even leads to a better alignment, more energy!  

But not all the time.  Sometimes the teacher tries to “adjust” me into something I can’t do. And then they say the most discouraging advice of all – “Someday you’ll be able to do that posture perfectly.”  Actually NO!  There are just some postures I’ll never be able to do perfectly because my body isn’t made that way. And I really hate being offered advice that sets me up for failure!   So yes, I still haven’t found one guru/one yoga teacher.  I haven’t found one wagon to hitch my yoga star to.

Where does that leave me?  There’s a lot of pressure to find one studio, to even find just one teacher who can watch over you; can help you improve your practice.  The “Perfect Teacher!” who can lead you to the perfect down dog, the perfect headstand!

Hmmm.  Not so fast. For me yoga is more than just the asanas or postures. Yoga is really about where my head is, where my energies are.  So I have to confess (again!!) that I love the diversity, I love the different adjustments and cues.  And strangely enough, I even love having too many cues from too many different yoga teachers buzzing in my head.

So here is a call to all of you who aren’t willing to stick with just one studio or just one teacher.  Unite! Fan out!  Try different studios, different teachers.  Maybe you’ll find that one wagon but maybe you’ll keep trying new teachers, new studios and learning new things.  I’ll see you on that road!

Thank you, Susan for the fun read and shared insights.

Namaste
Loving Life and Living Love,
Mary

​If you haven't signed up for the blog posts, please do.
I welcome you to leave a comment below or post one on my BestYOU Facebook page.
Sharing your thoughts is a gift to all of us!

---