Philosophy and Teaching Asana
by Seaph Antelmi
Philosophy... it's a big word. This page isn't up to the task
except to state some basic philosophies and principals I hold with regard
to yoga, āsana, students, and teaching.
Right before I left India a good friend of mine was talking about how
no one has an original thought and that all our ideas our borrowed
from others which in itself is not an original thought. As a matter
of fact Krishnamurti's book “Inward Revolution” talks about
this concept.
What's important in my mind, as a teacher is the marriage of philosophy
with experience and action. Do the ideas I am aligning myself with,
the ones I am teaching to others mesh with my experience of the world
and I am modeling these ideas in my own life, at least to the best
of my ability? Am I aware of where I am falling short?
We are all students.
So, that said - my most basic philosophy is that love is the strongest
force in our lives. I have a tremendous faith in the power of love.
How does that relate to yoga? to āsana? The process of āsana
practice begins to undo and unmake energetic, mental, and emotional
patterns in the bodies and our minds. As this happened to me what was "uncovered" was
an inherent "love".
I believe that every human being has something to give to the world:
a talent, a gift, or an idea. I believe that every person can improve
themselves and be better tomorrow than they were today if they want
to, if they are willing to look at the truth. I believe that the practice
of āsana is a great method for beginning to see our lives and
our selves more truthfully. With the right attitude yoga can be freedom.
I believe that every student that steps onto their mat in my yoga class
is capable of more than they give themselves credit for and that through
the process of āsana can uncover something that is hidden, something
that is beautiful.
Finally, I believe that practicing āsana (and teaching it) is of
benefit to the greater good. This is also not a new idea, but again I
have seen and experienced it, so I am saying it. When we take care of
ourselves, we can take care of others: our parents, our children, our
friends, our spouses. When we feel good we make other people feel good.
When we are positive then that positive energy moves out into the lives
of the people we touch, and the people they touch. It makes the world
more positive. Osho called yoga a science, but there is a sense in which
it is like magic.
But, like my guru Pattabhi Jois (Guruji) is so fond of saying, “99%
practice, 1% theory!”
Words are just words... it all grows out of practice.
Written by Seaph Antelmi - May 2008 - All Rights Reserved (c)