Teaching Hatha Yoga - When Are Yoga Teachers "Selling Out?"

Lately, there has been some confusion as to the roles of Yoga teachers, Yoga tradition, marketing, business, and "selling out." At one time, or another, all of the following have been issues, which caused rifts concerning rights, ethics, and traditional thought. For example: Yoga props, innovation, contemporary Yoga styles, certification, and charging money for classes, have been criticized in the past. Some people criticize these practices to this day.

There are still master teachers who refuse to issue a Yoga teacher's diploma to students, who have over twenty years of experience, and who teach for the master teacher in his/her ashram or Yoga studio. There are some teachers who would never allow a prop in their Yoga class.

Some people, who practice Yoga, believe money is evil. Therefore, charging money for Yoga class tuition is considered wrong. If billions of dollars are spent on charity, is money still evil? Who can live without money? Are you able to access the Internet without money? If Yoga teachers, Yoga studios, and ashrams, ran without any money or donations, Yoga would be practiced at home, out of a book, and without a teacher. Yoga would not have proliferated worldwide without money.

When Yoga was introduced to the west, there were some anticipated changes. The cultural differences are vast, but this is actually good, as both sides of the world learn from each other. Yoga was not designed to be a stagnant system. Yoga is an evolving holistic health maintenance system, which will continue to grow, as long as people continue to study it.

© Copyright 2007 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. riyoga.com riyoga.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html