Choosing your yoga instructor (Guru)
We can't all travel to India or Nepal in order to learn Yoga in an Ashram with a Yoga Master. For us that are far from this reality, we must choose from the schools, studios and instructors that are available in our area. These school, studios and instructors will offer a wide variety of moderations of "classical" yoga, depending on the teachings and areas they have been exposed to and have choosen to follow. 

Through the evolution and westernization of Yoga, there are plenty of moderations of yoga available to the general public. Some of these will emphasize the physical, others the importance of breathing and self-awareness, and others will offer a balanced approach to yoga. While the ideal would be to begin with the fundamentals and learn a deep understanding and appreciation on yoga, many people do not feel as if they have the time to dedicate to the slow process involved with becoming a Yoga Master. 

--  Some variations of Yoga and Instructors focus almost exclusively on the physical asanas. These classes/ instructors may teach a modified yoga such as Power Yoga. Because of time restraints and a desire to put the body through a vigorous physical workout, the class will give more emphasis to the physical and less to warm-ups, breathing and meditation. Focus and intention are still present, but it is also assumed that you will do any spiritual preparation prior to and after the class on your own. If you are interested in yoga more for the physical workout, then this instructor might be perfect for you. Keep in mind that while spirtual growth might not be overtly emphasized, if you practice your asanas with a true intention of perfection it is almost impossible to not acheive some greater sense of selfawareness and spirtual maturity. 

-- Other variations and instructors might focus solely on the breathing and meditative aspects of yoga. If you are practicing yoga for the spiritual and emotional benefits, and you wish to deemphasize the physical, then this might be the class for you. These instructors might offer low impact yoga classes that focus on simple poses or tend towards Kundalini yoga which focuses primarily on breathing. Even if it appears you are getting a minimal physical workout, the practice of porper breathing greatly improves our physical health. This can be felt more within, as it will help condition the internal organs. This style might not seem as dynamic as Power Yoga, but it does put the body through a physical workout. 

-- My favorite instructors have always found a balance between the spiritual intention and physical awareness. Each class begins with breathing and a focus on self and presence. They will ask the student to set an intention at the beginning of each class. Some intentions might include: to practice stillness in each pose, to increase strength or flexibility, or to feel a deep inner sense of love. Throughout the class, students are reminded to be aware of themselves and to remember their intentions. And again, at the end of the class, students are reminded to reflect on their practice and their intentions. The instructor tends to remind students to breath, to release judgment and to perfect their poses throughout the class.

With this said, in order to begin the search for an instructor, we will need to explore the many variations of yoga available to us, as well as explore our motivations and intentions for practicing yoga. In this process, it is important to keep an open heart and an open mind. We should try out many different instructors and styles because as we become more involved with yoga, we might find that our motivations and our needs change. 

In the end, after exploring the many variations of yoga offered around the world, and specifically in your specific locale, the bottom line is, do you feel comfortable with your yoga instructor and with what he/she is teaching you. If you resist your instructor or what they are teaching you, you will derive little to no benefit from your yoga practice until you are able to fiind peace with your differences. 

An instructor should not be "practicing" yoga during your practice. At times it is necessary to demonstrate a pose, but the instructor should be moving around the room helping you with adjustments. An instructor that is practicing during your practice is splitting his or her attentions between his or her own practice and his or her responsibilities to the practitioners.

If you are in the Tokyo area and looking for a private yoga instructor, please contact us at nepalyoga@pacific-trades.org or go to pacific-trades bios. 

For another perspective on choosing a yoga instructor, check out Yoga Journal's advice.