Question:

Everyone needs feedback……most give one lesson for free….try several teachers…..indulge yourself….     Wm

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I am not paying for a yoga teacher! Robert (Claudia’s husband) I have been a student of Hatha Yoga for the last three years. I am completely self-taught, from various books. Initially, my progress in flexibility, strength and stamina was truly astounding, but for the last year or so I seem to have plateaued out; and there are still some poses, that I find impossible to do (for example, the headstand; I don’t know whether this is due to anxiety of falling over or due to lack of strength). Is it normal to slow down after a while, or is it time to look for a teacher? Claudia

Response:

- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – The below contains elements of your teaching.  You should not be saying anything if there is to be no teachers. Your statement is one of teaching.  Accordingly, it is disqualified under your own premise. : For the spirituality, no one needs any teacher, there is a flame : burning in everyone so there is no one without this flame.It will show :  you the way.And  the right one,do not worry,take it easy, be aware of : your body and mind,and just be a good observer,actually whatever you : do in your meditation, keep the same on the whole day. it is the : secret.I am sure you have succeded  already and will succed more.

Dear Darmadeva, You can find whatever you are looking for. If you look for mistakes, wrong doings, contradictions,you can always find it… But here we are not teaching we are only exchanging our opinions and ideas, and personal experiences. Teaching is a completely different matter,to teach, one must be a teacher,and qualified,whereas I am a poor person,just trying to make an dull argument.I may not be right or wrong. However I should be thankful to you as you have accepted me as a teacher. But as I said I have no such an claim to  set universal rules and purposes. Thanks anyway. Compassionately, bothi

Response:

He definitely spent a lot of time with his Guru Krishnamacharya. Especially when he was young and his heath was failing. I refer you to these articles by him. http://www.srichakrayoga.com/transformed.htm http://www.srichakrayoga.com/guru.htm However his teacher told him he would never amount to anything in yoga and to give it up. He only learned Pranayama by peaking through the window at his teacher as he refused to teach him. His reaction to being told to give it up was to practice 10 hours a day for ten years. This is what people means when they say he was self taught, but he got the base from his guru. Even Iyengar says learn my method for 10 years then strike out on your own. The foundation must first be laid. Latter when Krishnamacharya’s son Desikachar wanted to learn asana he told him to go to Iyengar as know he knows more than I. However Iyengar says he never achieved the levels in pranayama as his guru. Colin Earl www.srichakrayoga.com — Colin Earl www.srichakrayoga.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My understanding of Mr. Iyengar’s life was that he was largely self taught. I thought his teacher was Krishnamacharya.

Response:

true, Mr. Iyengar refers to him as his guru.  But Mr. Iyengar’s refinement of yoga, his art of yoga was developed by years of self practice.  Colin has http://www.srichakrayoga.com/transformed.htm http://www.srichakrayoga.com/guru.htm

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – My understanding of Mr. Iyengar’s life was that he was largely self taught. I thought his teacher was Krishnamacharya.

Response:

My understanding of Mr. Iyengar’s life was that he was largely self taught.

I thought his teacher was Krishnamacharya.

Response:

Colin, My understanding of Mr. Iyengar’s life was that he was largely self taught. jerry

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Yes Claudia, the time has come. I strongly suggest you chose someone who teaches in the Iyengar tradition. There is so much that cannot be conveyed by books. Even those from other traditions will concede there is more depth and attention to detail in the Iyengar system. When one is new to the asana there is the physical asana. then one progresses to the organic asana then finally to the energetic asana. This second and third stage need a qualified teacher who has experienced these in their own body to communicate them to you. If you are serious and practice on your own don’t join a class. Take a private lesson once a month, the instructions will be tailored for you and your body. Take good notes and work on the points from your session consistently through the month. This is the best way to progress. Good Luck, Colin — Colin Earl www.srichakrayoga.com I have been a student of Hatha Yoga for the last three years. I am completely self-taught, from various books. Initially, my progress in flexibility, strength and stamina was truly astounding, but for the last year or so I seem to have plateaued out; and there are still some poses, that I find impossible to do (for example, the headstand; I don’t know whether this is due to anxiety of falling over or due to lack of strength). Is it normal to slow down after a while, or is it time to look for a teacher? Claudia

Response:

I have been a student of Hatha Yoga for the last three years. I am completely self-taught, from various books. Initially, my progress in flexibility, strength and stamina was truly astounding, but for the last year or so I seem to have plateaued out; and there are still some poses, that I find impossible to do (for example, the headstand; I don’t know whether this is due to anxiety of falling over or due to lack of strength). Is it normal to slow down after a while, or is it time to look for a teacher? Claudia

Dear Claudia, I am glad to learn that there are still people like yourselve. I am glad to know that you depend on yourselve. For head – stand the only thing you need is your enthusiasm to carry out this posture. If you really want it or not. Check it by yourselve when you go to sleep, before sleeping you just think on it. How much you want it to do if you really want it, why do you want it to carry out? Ask this question to yourselve and have the honest reply, no one will ever be aware of it, only yourselve will know… If you have an anthusiasm for head-stand, plese know  that this is the easiest posture in hatha-yoga,it only requires to have a balance over the head. Nothing else. To carry out you have to have enough space for that in order not hit your body anywhere if you fall down. First try to do a trianle using your arms. At this triangle your head will be at one corner, and your two elbows will be the at the other corners. Do not hesitate,just put your head holding it with your hands on a soft place.And first try to hold your head on the corner but do not try to lift your feed from the floor. one week just do this, easily adjust your feed a bit further or backward. And after one week you will know the time to start. Read it from LIGHT ON YOGA,by B.K.S. Iyengar. If you by many Hatha-yoga books, you will get more info from the one that ateacher will teach. It is up to you to decide if you need ateacher or not.If you get a techer, you may only see one face of YOGA, if you read a lot, you learn more than a teacher knows. However it is up to you. I have been doing yoga for 18 years every morning, and no teacher I have had. Once I wanted to have one,but I found out that teacher did not know  it  as much  as I did. So I left the teacher.She did not teach PRANAYAMA,may be she did not know  it. She only said it was dangerous.She was only talking about SPIRIT, SOUL. I do PRANAYAMA, ASANA,MEDITATION, on the same seans .Asanas done without pranayama,and meditation is useless. For the spirituality, no one needs any teacher, there is a flame burning in everyone so there is no one without this flame.It will show  you the way.And  the right one,do not worry,take it easy, be aware of your body and mind,and just be a good observer,actually whatever you do in your meditation, keep the same on the whole day. it is the secret.I am sure you have succeded  already and will succed more. Compassioanately bothi

Response:

Greetings, you know i cant resist this and its obvious……being when is it that a nothing, "they claim" and must learn everything . Except it seems the most troubles come from the lost ones or ones that all know the same things some of which had trouble being standardized. Not knowing nothing what they love too do…….but how do or does do as naturally you or your caught up via your senses trapped in some sensual attraction, (hunting or being hunted by others more wise clever) and of course money is no object if the object youd love banking. But some seem more aware or is it awareness perhaps they know and excell already good at it whatever requiring little effort or guidence. The always the easy way for some yet could be for all if they knew were more pull of nature relative to themselfs drops them into thier relative position often times. The teacher has nothng to do but be itself its actually thefty of the students as they just require clues then away they go as fast as teacher sorry they dont stay as too eger to do what yo do as thats why they are there if given choice …….Otherwise its a farm of misplaced minds not being used being made memory experts of things they want to forget inherently. I judge a person by how they hold thier feet but its another campbell way of doing things.Most go by the face i go by the feet the way they face/grin JD

Response:

If you have an anthusiasm for head-stand, plese know  that this is the easiest posture in hatha-yoga,it only requires to have a balance over the head. Nothing else. To carry out you have to have enough space for that in order not hit your body anywhere if you fall down. First try to do a trianle using your arms. At this triangle your head will be at one corner, and your two elbows will be the at the other corners. Do not hesitate,just put your head holding it with your hands on a soft place.And first try to hold your head on the corner but do not try to lift your feed from the floor. one week just do this, easily adjust your feed a bit further or backward. And after one week you will know the time to start. Read it from LIGHT ON YOGA,by B.K.S. Iyengar.

All good advise.  I may add that to start you may want to practice Headstand in the corner of the room.  Rest your head on a blanket with your hands pressed into the wall corner.  Do a form of downdog with your head on the floor and then press your legs up over you. This way you can charge your heals up the wall and get feedback from the walls as to your alignment.  As you get more comfortable with balance you can move further from the wall. — ~Stu

Response:

Is it normal to slow down after a while, or is it time to look for a teacher? Yes, by all means get a teacher. A teacher will likely show you many things that you didn’t realize before. Plus it’s nice to practice with like-minded people as well. (And continue your home practice too.)

betty is right. time for a change. i’m looking for an instructor also. namaste!  will

Response:

The below contains elements of your teaching.  You should not be saying anything if there is to be no teachers. Your statement is one of teaching.  Accordingly, it is disqualified under your own premise.

: For the spirituality, no one needs any teacher, there is a flame : burning in everyone so there is no one without this flame.It will show :  you the way.And  the right one,do not worry,take it easy, be aware of : your body and mind,and just be a good observer,actually whatever you : do in your meditation, keep the same on the whole day. it is the : secret.I am sure you have succeded  already and will succed more. :

Response:

Is it normal to slow down after a while, or is it time to look for a teacher?

Yes, by all means get a teacher. A teacher will likely show you many things that you didn’t realize before. Plus it’s nice to practice with like-minded people as well. (And continue your home practice too.)

Response:

I was on a volleyball team in high school from a small town.  We had no competition and no one to compare ourselves too.  We thought we were pretty good, until we went to a regional championship.  We were trounched.  It was humiliating (and eye opening).  We also learned more in that weekend than months of isolated practice.  I would recommend going to yoga class for the same benefit. More interaction. Wade Formal yoga teacher or no formal yoga teacher?  There is no absolute.  My only advice is to be a great student, that is really what you have to be. To LEARN from any situation or any person.  To be responsive and aware of what is going on around you. A teacher cannot do that for you.  You have to do it.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been a student of Hatha Yoga for the last three years. I am completely self-taught, from various books. Initially, my progress in flexibility, strength and stamina was truly astounding, but for the last year or so I seem to have plateaued out; and there are still some poses, that I find impossible to do (for example, the headstand; I don’t know whether this is due to anxiety of falling over or due to lack of strength). Is it normal to slow down after a while, or is it time to look for a teacher? Claudia

Response:

Yes Claudia, the time has come. I strongly suggest you chose someone who teaches in the Iyengar tradition. There is so much that cannot be conveyed by books. Even those from other traditions will concede there is more depth and attention to detail in the Iyengar system. When one is new to the asana there is the physical asana. then one progresses to the organic asana then finally to the energetic asana. This second and third stage need a qualified teacher who has experienced these in their own body to communicate them to you. If you are serious and practice on your own don’t join a class. Take a private lesson once a month, the instructions will be tailored for you and your body. Take good notes and work on the points from your session consistently through the month. This is the best way to progress. Good Luck, Colin — Colin Earl www.srichakrayoga.com

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been a student of Hatha Yoga for the last three years. I am completely self-taught, from various books. Initially, my progress in flexibility, strength and stamina was truly astounding, but for the last year or so I seem to have plateaued out; and there are still some poses, that I find impossible to do (for example, the headstand; I don’t know whether this is due to anxiety of falling over or due to lack of strength). Is it normal to slow down after a while, or is it time to look for a teacher? Claudia

Response:

For exercise you need no teacher.  Most people who are doing yoga postures are only doing exercises, they are not doing yoga.  If you disregard aspects such as hormones, glands, mental propensities and control then it is not yoga, but mere exercise. For yoga – spiritual science – you need a guide. — ‘The main characteristic of PROUT-based socioeconomic movements is that they aim to guarantee the comprehensive, multifarious liberation of humanity.’  P R Sarkar PROUT – PROgressive Utilisation Theory http://www.proutworld.org http://www.prout.org New Renaissance: A Journal for Social and Spiritual Awakening: http://www.ru.org

: I have been a student of Hatha Yoga for the last three years. I am : completely self-taught, from various books. Initially, my progress in : flexibility, strength and stamina was truly astounding, but for the last : year or so I seem to have plateaued out; and there are still some poses, : that I find impossible to do (for example, the headstand; I don’t know : whether this is due to anxiety of falling over or due to lack of strength). : Is it normal to slow down after a while, or is it time to look for a : teacher? : Claudia : :

Response:

After a year and a half of doing Bikram yoga, I too plateaued out.  I had a teacher, but that didn’t change the plateau.  It’s great to have a teacher, you will learn much, but that won’t necessarily change your plateau.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been a student of Hatha Yoga for the last three years. I am completely self-taught, from various books. Initially, my progress in flexibility, strength and stamina was truly astounding, but for the last year or so I seem to have plateaued out; and there are still some poses, that I find impossible to do (for example, the headstand; I don’t know whether this is due to anxiety of falling over or due to lack of strength). Is it normal to slow down after a while, or is it time to look for a teacher? Claudia

Response:

I have been a student of Hatha Yoga for the last three years. I am completely self-taught, from various books. Initially, my progress in flexibility, strength and stamina was truly astounding, but for the last year or so I seem to have plateaued out; and there are still some poses, that I find impossible to do (for example, the headstand; I don’t know whether this is due to anxiety of falling over or due to lack of strength). Is it normal to slow down after a while, or is it time to look for a teacher? Claudia

Response:

I am not paying for a yoga teacher! Robert (Claudia’s husband)

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have been a student of Hatha Yoga for the last three years. I am completely self-taught, from various books. Initially, my progress in flexibility, strength and stamina was truly astounding, but for the last year or so I seem to have plateaued out; and there are still some poses, that I find impossible to do (for example, the headstand; I don’t know whether this is due to anxiety of falling over or due to lack of strength). Is it normal to slow down after a while, or is it time to look for a teacher? Claudia

Response:

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