Yogi Ganesha - Tips to be a Successful Yoga Teacher and Leader

Lord Ganesha is an interesting, perhaps the most interesting idols ever created in the history of mankind. Generally, It would be hard to imagine a God, an idol of God with a big belly and elephant face. A funny God! Nobody, apart from the Yogis / Spiritual practitioners would have dared to create, visualize a God that looks funny. You can't make a joke on the Gods in general and here you have a God whose appearance too looks funny. 

This is why, the wise men always say that you see based on the lens you have. You see what you want to see. We need a complete different lens to understand the world of Spirituality. 

Coming back, what's special about Ganesha? Why is he designed the way he is? 

Yogi Ganesha - The Teacher to Future Leaders!

Ganesha  is the combination of two words in Sanskrit. GANA & ISHA, where inGana means the group and Isha is the leader. Ganesha, therefore is the leader of the group. The image (or Idol) shows symbolically the qualities of a successful leader. 

1. BIG HEAD - THINK BIG

The big head of Ganesha is symbolically telling us to think big, dream big in order to become a legendary leader. A leader can foresee something which other can't. Your vision about your future is one of the deciding factors of your success. 

As a Yoga Teacher, have a vision of something that might look crazy now for every one, but a dream that can drive your everyday, your passion and make your life purposeful. 

2. BIG EARS - LISTEN MORE

Be attentive towards every member of your group. A leader, contrary to the popular belief that he should talk, should listen more to understand the pros and cons, situations and suggestions from the team members. 

As a Yoga Teacher be attentive to every student. Listen to them and listen to fellow Yoga teacher and your teacher too. 

3. SMALL EYES - CONCENTRATION, SHARPNESS

Be sharp in finding out the problems. Your concentration should stay longer than that of others. Be focused even at times the members of your team might be distracted. 

You might be popular, getting rich by teaching Yoga or becoming flexible every day. But nothing will distract you from the passion that you possess i.e. your teaching, spreading yoga so beautifully that every student in the Shala should leave feeling filled. 

4. BIG BELLY - DIGEST GOOD & BAD, CULTIVATE CONTENTMENT

As a leader, you should have the ability to digest the good and bad experiences of the team, of its members and yours too. You are not supposed to get high on success and low on failures. Practice of Contentment is one of the most significant factors a leader should always keep in mind. 

As a Yoga teacher, for example, you might be appreciated by someone taking your class. But when he/she appreciates, its his/her opinion about your class. They might not have taken a lot of Yoga classes before or they had bad yoga teachers. The same is applicable to criticisms too. If some one criticizes your class after the class, its their opinion about your class. It can't be a judgment. They are bound to have their opinion and you can take or leave the opinions which is dependent on you. Therefore, you should be able to digest different opinions and shouldn't let those opinions of others influence your pattern of thinking. 

5. TRUNK - FLEXIBILITY

The trunk of Ganesha represents flexibility. A leader should adapt flexibility in his approach. Your plan designed to face a particular situation might not be handy at times. You might have to look at the situation with a new approach or change your understanding. A leader should be prepare to get changed to the situations without distracting from the principles. 

A yoga teacher too should be flexible physical as well as psychologically too. Physical flexibility helps you in demonstrating the postures while the psychological and intellectual flexibility will enable you to understand the life integrally and yields success. 

6. MOUSE - FIND THE STRENGTHS EVEN IN THE WEAKEST.

Mouse is one of the most ignored animals if not the least. Perhaps, there is no civilization that has given a better place to the mice. Hence, taking mouse as a symbol of least, small, weak animal, Ganesha has made him the vehicle. A leader is the one who can see the strength in the weakest too in the group. Every team member will have his own strengths and weakness. A leader should be able to use the strong sides of every member to the most to bring on the best. 

If you're looking forward to create your own yoga studio for example, this quality is something that is a must for you. Instead of looking for a best team for your yoga studio, think on bringing the best out of the team that you already have. Look at the best sides of every one you have and find the ways to get them refined. 

7. SNAKE AND MOUSE - TEAM FIRST, ENMITY NEXT 

The most decisive factor of a leader is bringing the concept of "Team first." Every body in the group will have their own ideas and want to implement often. As they do not get the priorities, the ego of individuality arises and decreases the growth rate. We might differ in our ideologies, but united for the sake of the team and when it comes to bring the best of the team, individuality will not have its place. This is the idea behind keeping snake and mouse together working for one leader, Ganesha. 

As a Yoga teacher you will prioritize the things and the your students come first in your list of priorities and all the conflicts, personal or professional problems (you will have a few at any given point of time) do not come into the picture when you enter the class. The students, yoga class stand first and everything else next. When you want to inspire your students and spread happiness around you can not carry a baggage to the class and expect a fantastic class.

Click here to see "What should my students carry after my Yoga Class?

Every time we worship Ganesha, we are supposed to meditate on the qualities that he teaches by being Ganesha and inculcate the qualities every day. This is the real worship of any God leading to the realization of Universal Consciousness. 

Do I need a religion? Is Yoga a religion?

Let us first understand what is religion? Religion you can name any one, is a set beliefs, principles and concepts created so that by following them, a society with people in it can live their life better. All religions have this basic underlying principle inside them. Religions are not meant to make you free. Religions can not afford to be individual as they are crafted for the masses. Religions will have rules and regulations to follow and there will be many questions unanswered or improperly answered as the driving force of religions isn't a quest of truth, but a constitution under which people can lead a better life. 

All religions, therefore, have the basic moral and ethical codes of conduct which are beautiful and precisely same compared to each other. The general framework of all the religions such as non-violence, honesty, cleanliness, absence of greed, controlling the anger etc. are narrated in all the religions and they do not differ. No religion tells you to be angry as it is good for you. But there will be other differences in the customs, rituals and traditions. As religions are crafted based on the society they lived at that time (or now), these constitutions are crafted for the people at that time of that society. Hence, there can be some rules which you won't necessarily accept even if it comes from your so-called religion. 

In classical Sanskrit texts, in the ancient Indian tradition, these are called "SMRITIS". Smritis are written, crafted by different Yogis, scholarly authors time to time. YAJNAVALKYA SMRITI, PARASHARA SMRITI, MANU SMRITI are just to note a few here. There will be many concepts or rituals you will see in these texts which you might completely disagree as they are not amended for the present society. 

This whole perspective is applicable for all the religions present now. There is no hell-heaven concept in the reality. This infinite cosmos couldn't be that simple. But the religions when put forth the idea of heaven-hell, they do not intend to present the truth but it was a concept to keep the masses on track. One needs a moral fear to to be a human being, to furnish the human characteristics. The purpose of the concept is different. 

Then, what is the truth? As you evolve, you will understand that you do not need a fear of God, a fear of Hell, an attraction of heaven, but your actions will be motivated by your conscience. You will not be a good human being due to the fear of God, but your kindness, honesty and love are due to the inner conscience. Your inner journey of being better human takes the first giant step and THIS IS YOGA. Yoga is not a religion, but beyond any religion. You are good, honest and light because you can't afford to be otherwise. It has become your personality to be kind. There is no fear, no police in the sky observing your actions to decide your future life after death. But you will select, prioritize the present by living it fully and decide your future. Now, you understand from the heart that the God is nowhere in the galaxies, on the heaven, but inside. Your God, the Light is inside and you do not need to take any journey, any prayers, any rituals, follow any one but to listen to your heart. You do not need any teaching as your heart knows it all. You just need to listen to it properly. 

Yet, we need the concept of religions as there will be no change significant in the mass-conscience. As a society, a set of people, we need to have these moral rules and codes of conduct to create a social structure. All these religions are true at a layer, but start to appear weak and superficial as you explore the light inside. 

As it is becoming a lengthy article, I sum up with points.

1. Religions ask you to follow, But Yoga or its Masters do not.

2. The idea of Following anything/anyone is against the practice of Yoga.

3. Religions will have rules, Yoga does not. 

4. Practice any technique, continue to practice if it works, leave it if it doesn't. 

5. Religions claim to take you towards the God, Yoga does not.

6. Yoga does not ask you to take any journey as the God is inside, in fact, you are THAT. 

7. There will be teacher, preacher, texts, rituals in religions, not in Yoga. 

8. Your experience is the only thing matters in Yoga practice. 

9. Follow religions if you don't know how to listen to conscience. 

10. Follow your heart, be present, live every second fully as your present moment is eternal and momentary. This is Yoga. 

Follow Your Heart

P.S. Your comments inspire me the most. Do not hesitate to put forth your thoughts and let me know if I have to expand, illustrate anything in these articles. -Namaste-

Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Bali - Reflections

I have always believed that the reflections on the past be it actions or incidents give you a briefing on lessons of self improvements. We at Samyak Yoga after every teacher training sit for REFLECTIONS so that we can find ways to improve the quality in everything that we do. Here are my reflections about the course we completed in Bali. Perhaps, Bali training and the group took a long time to allow me for objective reflections. Finally I am ready and here are my thoughts.

Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Bali

We have completed Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training Course in Bali in October 2014. The whole month was an amazing experience in many aspects. 

It was a first time experience for us in Bali. The entire crew led by Marlinda and Steve was just amazing. Often, you will be in uncomfortable if your food and accommodation are not up to the mark. From the very first day, we just had to focus on teaching and everything else was in place every single day without a miss. 

Yoga Teachers from India

We, the Yoga Teachers from India are guided in a Gurukula system of education (Indian system, which influenced the Buddhist Monasteries) which does not just teach you, but gives you an insight, asks you to analyze, allows you to practice and find the need of it and finally, you will practice what you preach. Hence, this Yoga Philosophy bears a lot of weight, put forth out of passion and supported by perosnal practice of the teacher. In Bali, the entire team of students and teachers had a beautiful time with philosophical discussions. 

Traditional Ashtanga Vinyasa Primary Series Practice

We practiced Asanas twice a day which was intensive. Besides, there was group classes, preparation for the classes every day. The morning ashtanga practice with its Mysore style, every one was fascinated by their own potentialities which weren't explored. Mysore style brings the meditation within and tell you "you can do more than what you think you can do"

Meditation leading to Light within

The entire training was transformational. I give credits to every one who played roles in different ways. The major credit goes to the students who were always supportive to each other. It is one thing that fascinates me that we always get the best students.. :) They were always there to care, to love, to help, to assist, to listen as if they knew each other for a very long time. The group never took the discussions or the practice just as they are. They tried to practice, explore and implemented them in their hearts. That's where a teacher feels fulfilled!

Teach not only Asanas but Pranayama too!

Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training also gives an opportunity to teach EVERY DAY. Students unlike in most of the schools, here get the opportunity to teach Pranayama too. By the end of the course, the Prana was back in the mainstream of their every day practice of Yoga. It was no more just a breathing technique.

Meditation on Universal Consciousness

Throughout the course, we all consciously and unconsciously worked on universal energy, the cosmic web which connects every one, the divine light within. The students were able to get the sparks of their divinity, their own light and their own master inside. This is the goal of Yoga, the union within. And we were happy, connected and rejuvenated. Once again, I fell in love with what I do and thanked God for giving this opportunity to be a part of many spiritual energies.

Pregnancy Yoga: Pregnant with Enlightenment

When there is a new poetry striving to be born, to take form a poet experiences a feeling of richness, a fullness, an expansion and an extension about to take shape. He feels feminine. It happens with all the creative arts. It is exactly like a pregnancy of a woman. 

Pregnancy is more than just carrying a baby

Pregnancy is an expansion, a richness that takes its space with the new life taking shape in you. There is a fullness where there was an emptiness. Where there was a poverty now it is filled with richness. It is an extension of your own existence that you can nurture, nourish and awaken your own love and affection. Women feel completeness which can not be compared to anything with the pregnancy. It is carrying a baby. It is a process of transformation that slowly develops a new being in you. The existence of a new life in you has the ability to build awareness in you, to transform you and infuse positivity in you. It brings the life in your life. 

Women, Yoga, Equality and Cosmic Shakti

This is one of the most controversial and misunderstood by the majority of the society. We, as a society have been fighting a long battle for the equal rights for every one and avoiding extra favors, suppression only because some people have different color, caste or gender. And now the world has reached to a state wherein a civilized society people are treated equally. 

Is there any gender equality? I really think NO! Before all the feminists get angry on me, I would like to make it clear. Do not claim equal rights based on genders. When you ask for equal rights, that itself is unconsciously explaining that you do not have it. Mother nature treats all living beings equal, not just males and females. Then what is the concept of male and female genders... 

1. Male and Female are not genders, but energies. 

Everything in the cosmic structure has three different layers. One is its real state i.e. Consciousness. The second one is its existence in energy-form and the last one is the manifestation with physical framework. Apart from the consciousness state, we all are energy species. Male and females are different energies. Based on the domination of male/female energies, we are formed male or female physically. Often, energy domination may not be same as physical one. Do not get confused with the energy-state and the physical frame. Try to perceive human beings as the manifestation of energies in the physical form. 

Who can be a Yoga Teacher?

Can I be a Yoga Teacher? Should I perform handstand to become a Yoga Teacher? Should I be super-flexible? I do not know Sanskrit names of the postures... I don't even know the philosophy of it... But I love practicing Yoga... I am passionate to teach and spread Yoga. I practice what I teach. I am introduced to Yoga recently. Do I need to wait for a few years to be a proper yoga teacher? 

These are a few questions that arise in the minds of people when they start practicing yoga.

I don't mind to be hated... Difficulty of Being Good

You read it right. I don't mind to be hated and I do not want to be remembered as one of the good people by everybody. The reason is to be good to everybody, all the time is impossible....

As you all know, we all the three male teachers here at Samyak Yoga were fortunate enough to study in an ancient system of education "Gurukula System of Education" prevailed during the time of Buddha, Patanjali etc. The replica of the same education system is created in the outskirts of Bangalore, South India. During our studies there, my master used to tell me "it is your main problem that you want to be good to everybody, every time and that leads to chaos". I took much time to understand the essence of his teaching. What I understood later as time passed was very interesting and made my life comfortable and less-complicated. 

Moon days and Ashtanga Yoga Practice

What is the significance of Full moon days and New moon days and why the Ashtanga Yoga is not practiced during those days?

It is the tradition of ancient wisdom of India that they are not taught during the moon days. They are termed as “Anadhyapana” (days with absence of lessons from the Master). As these moon days will have their influence on human system, it will not be a balanced perspective as it will be otherwise. It does not mean, negative / positive. The students will not be able to digest the new lessons during these days. Hence, new lessons are not taught and besides, there are a special rituals (mainly fire ceremonies) performed by the teachers and students during these days. You need to have a balanced inner system for any knowledge intake. 

Practical ways to recharge your Yoga Life...

We had  a series of Yoga Teacher Training Courses until the end of July 2014 for four months. And now it is a break time. This is the time to recharge our spiritual batteries and rejuvenate ourselves. Hence I would love to share the way we use this quality time. 

You give more when you have more!

That's right. You can give more only when you take more. If you remember your first few months of being yoga teacher, you were so enthusiastic about your career and were into everything that was related to teaching and practicing yoga.

All about Patanjali

The second article in the series of Exploration of Patanjali discusses about the meaning of the name " Patanjali" on the basis of Sanskrit grammar and also tries to shed light on the scholarly references about the contribution of Patanjali to the humanity.

Meaning of “Patanjali”

The compound name Patañjali has been explained by Sanskrit commentators in two ways. 

The first explanation of the word is añjalau patan iti patañjali (Patañjali is one falling into folded hands).

The only thing I need for Yoga Life

There are only a few fields wherein this beautiful word "Practice" is used. For example, Doctors do not say that they work, but they practice. It is a profession which requires every day practice. The same is applied for the law experts too. 

The beauty is here. This is the same word used for yoga too. It's Yoga practice (abhyaasa in Sanskrit)! Even if you teach, in the reality, you practice the teaching of Yoga.