"Westernized yoga has seen the rise of influential yet controversial teachers. I am talking of people like B.K.S. Iyengar, Pattabhi Jois, and Bikram Choudhury. While their styles have shaped modern yoga, they have also left behind a legacy of physical and emotional harm. This is, in my opinion, due to aggressive adjustments and toxic teaching methods. It's common for students to be drawn to authoritative or even abusive teachers because they equate intensity with effectiveness. However, true yoga instruction should be about guidance, not domination."
"Yoga Teachers Are Not Therapists Many teachers fall into the trap of trying to be a student's therapist, life coach, or best friend. While emotional support is part of the journey, yoga teachers must remain within their scope of practice. Their primary role is to facilitate self-awareness and transformation through movement and breath. Holding Space, Not Seeking Validation A great yoga teacher understands their role is to create"
Yoga can be a path of self-discovery, balance, and transformation beyond physical practice. Westernized lineages have produced influential teachers whose methods sometimes caused physical and emotional harm through aggressive adjustments and toxic approaches. Students often equate intensity with effectiveness and may choose authoritative teachers. Teachers must remain within their scope of practice, offering emotional support without acting as therapists. Instruction should prioritize safety, informed consent, and fostering self-awareness through movement and breath. Avoiding forceful hands-on corrections and unnecessary pose demonstrations reduces risk. Creating empowering, boundary-respecting classes supports sustainable practice and the future health of students.
Read at Yogi Aaron
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