The Yoga rules

By Paul Jerard

How often have you heard that money creates power, and power will corrupt you absolutely? Some Yoga instructors sincerely believe they do not deserve to make money from their teaching skills. After all, earning money will make you less spiritual - right?

Once you become a Yoga teacher, you have to come to grips with reality. Is it true that the wealthy are greedy? Many of them give to charity, but some do not. Therefore, having more money does not affect the behavior of giving. Many of the poor give to charity, and some do not.

Is money (earning a living) the root of all evil? If this is true, then we should give up and do our best to live a poor life of bad health and starvation. Wait a minute: Yogic philosophy is about ending suffering, not creating it.

So, where did all of this negative talk, about a earning a salary as a Yoga teacher, come from? I have no idea, but if you want to teach free classes, there will be a never-ending line to your studio door. The trouble is: How will you keep the lights on and the doors open?

If you think it is bad to take money for teaching Yoga, that's fine. Please save yourself the trouble of opening a Yoga studio, because you have to take student tuition to keep the doors open. You can work full time, for an impossible-to-please boss, at a job you do not like, and teach in your basement for free.

There is nothing wrong with this, until you run yourself ragged. How can a poor, stressed out, and over-worked teacher, on the verge of a nervous breakdown, be a good example of the benefits that Yoga has to offer?

The truth is: Everyone needs money to survive. If it is that easy to make so much, please give it away to the homeless on the street. You will be creating good karma and setting a good example, as a Yoga teacher.

ฉ Copyright 2008 - Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

Paul Jerard, E-RYT 500, has written many books on the subject of Yoga. He is a co-owner and the Director of Yoga Teacher Training at: Aura Wellness Center, in Attleboro, MA. http://www.aurawellnesscenter.com He has been a certified Master Yoga Teacher since 1995. To receive a Free Yoga e-Book: "Yoga in Practice," and a Free Yoga Newsletter, please visit: http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html