Titans of Yoga

Anyone who practices yoga has learned it from someone, a teacher. Sometimes a student stays with this particular teacher, other times he/she moves on. Some students learn from a variety of teachers over a period of years while others prefer to be their own teacher. All students of yoga  start somewhere -- with a teacher or a DVD or a book. Even though I've been practicing for a while, I still remember my first few teachers. Although I no longer practice with either, I still have a deep gratitude for both.

I think it's valuable to reflect back on your past experiences with teachers and to express gratitude for all that you've learned from them. A friend of mine likes to say, "unacknowledged good turns to sh$#!" I agree. I currently find myself in a place where I'm stepping away from one teacher and turning more inward to be my own. As I go through this transition, I have the desire to acknowledge where I've been and with whom I've been there with.  I am so grateful for the classes, workshops, trainings, and mentoring that I've participated in/received. My yoga practice -- and my life -- wouldn't be what it is today without these opportunities. After years of study, it's time to integrate it all and temporarily put my desire to learn even more on hold for the time being.

What have you learned from your greatest teachers (or perhaps it was a negative experience with a teacher that taught you the most)? Have you expressed gratitude for all of the teachers in your life? Just because there's no Yoga Teacher Day (Note to Hallmark executives -- you should get on that), doesn't mean that you can't give thanks and celebrate the yoga teachers in your life.

The folks over at Yoga Month are asking yoga students everywhere to recognize their yoga titans. What, you ask, is a yoga titan? Yoga Month  does a great job with their definition: people of exceptional importance, reputation and achievements in yoga with a substantial influence in society, leading by example and are able to inspire people with their empowering message.

In celebration of yoga titans everywhere, Yoga Month is releasing a forthcoming 75-minute DVD featuring a cast of yoga titans (including the likes of Shiva Rea, Seane Corn, Saul David Raye, Larry Payne, Bryan Kest, and Gurmukh Khalsa) who discuss personal anecdotes, offer tools to help your improve your life, and insights into the essence of yoga, meditation, and mindfulness. Click here to learn more about the Titans of Yoga and to pre-order your copy today.

In addition to learning more about this feature film, you can also vote for your very own yoga titan. When you fill out the survey by selecting three of your top yoga titans, you'll be entered to win a transformational meeting with one of the Greats of Yoga, Meditation and Mindfulness, free DVDs and other prizes. Click here to access the survey. 

As for my yoga titans -- there are too many to name (some are names you wouldn't recognize because they're not on the "yoga star" circuit). But a few of my favorites are T.K.V. Desikachar and Mark Whitwell. If you'd like to enjoy some wisdom from these two wonderful teachers, you can listen to some audio with each:

• T.K.V. Desikachar's opening keynote address from the most recent Colorado Yoga Journal Conference -- Click here for the MP3. 
• Mark Whitwell's interview on contact talk radio -- click here for the MP3. 

And for some feminine yoga titans, check out this wonderful discussion of the power of women in yoga (also recorded from the most recent Colorado Yoga Journal Conference) featuring Shiva Rea, Seane Corn, and Judith Lasater.

Teachers are a precious thing, so let's appreciate them (whether they be big titans or just us regular folk).

Namaste!

Comments

[Byron Bay Retreat]

Thank you for your insightful posts. It is wonderful to have all these resources that you link on your website, at our fingertips !

[Lisa]

Thank you for this! I was just thinking today how lucky I am to be blessed with so many amazing teachers-not all of them have been on the mat or cushion, although those who have taught me the truths of yoga and mediation will always hold a dear place in my heart-from all walks of life. Not to sound to cheezy, but really, teachers can be everywhere/everything. My greatest yoga titans, have actually been the people and moments that have rocked the foundation of my world and continue to push the limits of what I consider to be "me."

Thanks again!
Yoga Thailand

[Emma]

hey--- arent we our own greatest titans, best teachers? :)

anyway... some of my favorite human beings are my yoga teacher training teachers. bless 'um.

[Luke Jordan]

Thanks for the great post. I've just been reading Mark Whitwell's Yoga of Heart and it's a really enlightening read. A reminder not to take it all so seriously! We are already that!

Best wishes

[Bob Weisenberg]

Great post, Diane.

My Yoga Titans are on my RECOMMENDED READING page http://wp.me/PlUox-F on my website:

Bhagavad Gita: A New Translation by Stephen Mitchell.

The Yoga Sutra of Patanjali, beautifully translated and explained in Part III of The Heart of Yoga by T.K.V. Desikachar.

The Upanishads, lovingly introduced and translated by Eknath Easwaran.

Kripalu Yoga–A Guide to Practice On and Off the Mat by Richard Faulds and Senior Teachers of Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health.

My favorite Yoga philosophy website is Rod Stryker’s www.parayoga.com.

Yoga and the Quest for the True Self by Stephen Cope.

Babar’s Yoga for Elephants by Laurent de Brunhoff. (Now the truth can finally be told — Yoga was originally developed by elephants in prehistoric times, and only adopted by humans many years later.)

Effortless Wellbeing by Evan Finer. My favorite book on meditation.

Bob Weisenberg
http://YogaDemystified.com

[Waves of Gratitude]

Wow - what a great post! It's so important to show gratitude to our teachers. One of our favorites is Rodney Yee!

We designed jewelry as a symbol of gratitude, and want to let you know about the NEW Yoga Wave jewelry designed for yoga enthusiasts who are passionate about their yoga practice and want to wear a symbol of gratitude for it.

It is a perfect gift for teachers we are grateful for. A thank-you is enough, but a symbol of our gratitude that they can wear every day is a nice touch!

We hope you will check out the Yoga Wave! http://bit.ly/bQqXWg

Save 15% off your purchase at http://www.wavesofgratitude.com with coupon code YOGA.

[Rachel @ Suburbuan Yogini]

We definitely have some of the same favourites. I was blogging about TKV Desikachar only yesterday!