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Yes, or no--would you continue to go to a yoga class with a yoga teacher who smokes (and has a smoker's cough)? I personally like this teacher and her class, but am conflicted on her smoking habit..should I be? Would you?
Because I hope for a teacher I can learn from--who is as--or more--along the path of enlightenment than I am. Yoga is more than exercise to me, it's a spiritual practice, too.
You seem to imply that smokers are "unenlightened".
. With the responsibility of becoming a teacher/instructor/flame bearer of any art form, you MUST hold yourself to a much higher standard and lead and teach your students by example and not fire up some Camels after you complete your savasana.
Camels? Naw go for quality - Marlboro Red's.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Capablanca
In fact, here's a simple and honest question to ask your smoking yoga instructors: As someone who has made the transition, and graduated from a yoga practicioner to someone charged with leading and teaching others about the art as a titled and (hopefully certified) instructor, how do you explain applying yama, niyam, and pranayama into your life while still choosing to fill your body with horrible toxins from smoking, AND how to you explain doing this while knowing how harmful the second hand smoke is to others and our planet? My guess they would answer something like "Yama what now?" "Pranayama-what?"
You would be asking a presumptious question.
They may not think that second hand smoke is harmful, and while we are on the topic, how is second hand smoke harmful to the planet?
. Im not saying this is your smoking yoga friend, but because of the right leaning southern christian everything Jesus mindset that many have, they often make a conscious choice to avoid learning new things like yoga. The ignorant choose to think that a lot of that spiritual mumbo jumbo thats in yoga is in direct conflict with their christian values (which is ridiculous) so they dont want to know anything about it. They just learn movements then, later, they call themselves instructors.
It is Hindu spiritual practice. I would say that is in rather stark conflict with Christianity where Jesus is considered to be "the way, the truth, and the life" - not Vishnu or Brahma.
Do you also need to know what she eats and drinks, and make an opinion of it? Will that large greasy pizza she consumed with a large coke not allow you to be enlightened?
No, but I know I would be disinclined to take a class from a yoga teacher who ate to the point of obesity.
No, but I know I would be disinclined to take a class from a yoga teacher who ate to the point of obesity.
I wouldn't even go as far as obesity. Some people can eat junk food and sodas and still be really thin, but I would not go to a personal trainer who ate nothing but candy all day, even if she was fit. It contradicts the healthy living she's trying to promote.
Smoking doesn't seem like it really goes with the whole yoga philosophy, so I get what you're saying. But if you like the class and you like her as a teacher, then maybe just try not to think about it. Smoking is gross, but it's not like she's lighting up a crack pipe during class.
If it wasn't obvious in class (no smoker's cough, no cigarette smell, no mention of it), I wouldn't care because I would not know. I don't expect the instructors to be above reproach but I do expect some professionalism from them. I would have a hard time learning relaxation techniques from an "in your face" smoker. I just would.
Last edited by springfieldva; 02-28-2013 at 12:28 PM..
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