A yogin who is embodiment-oriented might enjoy, as part of the great dance of being, appreciating something as being enchanting.
But to let oneself be carried away enchanted or to seek enchantment heedless of the consequences seems quite the antithesis of engaging life mindful awareness.
I have wondered over the years, as I see the emphasis on being buoyant, outgoing, and cheerful as the hallmark of a fun yoga teacher, whether it is possible to be a successful yoga teacher in today’s society if one (like me) tends toward introversion and shyness. I recently heard an internationally recognized teacher say that the way to know if you are a successful teacher is if your classes are consistently doubling in size. Ever-growing classes are certainly important to help the teacher and the studio pay the rent, but is that the key measure of individual success? I think part of the sense that the measure of success is a burgeoning group of people attracted to the teacher is our societal premium on extroversion. A more introverted teacher may not seem as cuddly and fun outside of class, but may have other things to offer that in fact grow from his or her tendency towards introversion.
Check out this article for some perspective on introversion in today’s society. What are your thoughts about this in the context of yoga?
I was reminded this weekend to remember this: we all have
Having just returned from Arizona (yes, Sedona is in Arizona, as hard as that may be to believe from any perspective other than cartographically) from a meditation retreat, and having two more scheduled with my teacher at the same location during the year, I have pondered with my usual degree of self-questioning about the potential impact of my choices the suggestions to boycott Arizona.
I had decided — perhaps because continuing to study with my teacher, including on retreat is so important to me now — that as I pretty much go straight from the airport to the meditation retreat and back without shopping, I am probably supporting people who did not support the immigration law. On previous trips, in addition to paying for the food and lodging at the retreat (my teacher lives in California, so the tuition goes to California), we ate at a Mexican family-owned restaurant and a raw foods restaurant and bought some supplies at the natural foods store (eschewing the Whole Foods in favor of the local natural foods store). I’ve decided it is OK — perhaps even a good thing — to support those who clearly were not in favor of the immigration law.
What does it mean to engage in a boycott? Who does it hurt and help? What impact could the Arizona boycott have? Have you thought about whether to boycott Arizona?
