{"id":5437,"date":"2015-01-23T17:52:10","date_gmt":"2015-01-23T22:52:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theyogimovement.com\/?p=5437"},"modified":"2016-10-20T22:10:03","modified_gmt":"2016-10-21T02:10:03","slug":"parampara-yoga-teacher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theyogimovement.com\/parampara-yoga-teacher\/","title":{"rendered":"Do I REALLY NEED A Yoga Teacher?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Yes and No, and by that I mean yes.<\/strong> I mean that in the least confusing way possible. <\/span><\/p>\n

It’s so easy to question your teacher – especially with SO many different styles of yoga, SO many different teachers, and SO many different perspectives.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not to mention all of the ego’s floating around out there!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

This doesn’t have to be confusing. People love to make things more complicated than they are, and it’s actually really simple.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ashtanga Yoga has a tradition called the Parampara (Source: Krisha Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute<\/a>):<\/span><\/p>\n

Parampara<\/strong> is knowledge that is passed in succession from teacher to student. It is a Sanskrit word that denotes the principle of transmitting knowledge in its most valuable form; knowledge based on direct and practical experience. It is the basis of any lineage: the teacher and student form the links in the chain of instruction that has been passed down for thousands of years. In order for yoga instruction to be effective, true and complete, it should come from within parampara.<\/span><\/p>\n

Knowledge can be transferred only after the student has spent many years with an experienced guru, a teacher to whom he has completely surrendered in body, mind, speech and inner being. Only then is he fit to receive knowledge. This transfer from teacher to student is parampara.<\/span><\/p>\n

The dharma, or duty, of the student is to practice diligently and to strive to understand the teachings of the guru. The perfection of knowledge \u2013 and of yoga \u2014 lies beyond simply mastering the practice; knowledge grows from the mutual love and respect between student and teacher, a relationship that can only be cultivated over time.<\/span> <\/p><\/blockquote>\n

The practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a deep and internal spiritual study, so your ashtanga teacher is so much more than just a teacher of postures (but that’s a whole other post!). <\/span><\/p>\n

I’ve gone back and forth with studying with one teacher, then studying with many as I was searching. I even questioned if I really needed a teacher at all. What I’ve found is the more I move away from my teacher, the more I crave tradition and consistency.<\/span><\/p>\n

Here’s what I mean by yes and no<\/em><\/span>. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, you always need a teacher<\/span>. The student-teacher relationship is extremely important, and I learned this from personal experience.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n