...acher, then you would have a problem.

As ironic and unfortunate as it is, although yoga is a spiritual as well as physical path towards health and well-being, by its very nature, it is susceptible to misuse or even abuse. We have all heard stories of organizations that seemingly start out with the best intentions and then end up in the news being accused of cult-like practices.

As much as I am not trying to scare anyone with this discussion, I am simply saying, take your time and do your research. Talk to some students, and attend at least one class just to observe (if possible.) What is the dynamic between the students and teachers? What does your intuition tell you about both the qualifications and character of the teacher or studio you are considering?

Lets return to my model yoga teacher, Shashi. His yoga studio is truly thriving - and this includes financially. Ironically, this appears to be the case because of how focused he is on helping people, not taking from them. To put it another way, it is what he gives away, every single day and week, that brings him such a successful school of yoga.

What I mean by gives away is everything from the time he volunteers to various community organizations (i.e. he teaches for free wherever he can find a need for yoga in the community) to being available to students outside of classes to help them with any challenge they may be facing. He is a natural therapist, and people talk to him about everything from health problems to marital problems, crisis in business or professional life, or whatever.

He does this because he truly believes that human beings in our times are in desperate need of the wisdom contained in yoga, on both spiritual and physical levels. His most prominent motivation, both in his words and in his deeds, is to help people. This quality of his character is very apparent, and I am certain it explains the success of his yoga practice.

Although there is no perfect formula or even perfect yoga teacher, I hope that by using my teacher as a model, I have given you a useful frame of reference as you set out to find your yoga teacher. Just do some homework and trust your intuition, and as always, enjoy each moment.

-Namaste.

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