This entry was posted on Sep 1, 2022 by Charlotte Bell.
If I had to pick just one quality that separates a good yoga teacher from a great one, it would be humility. Of course there are other important qualities too: knowledge, education, committed practice, integrity, honesty, kindness, discernment, in addition to many more. But in a very real way, humility opens the door to all these qualities.
“Gaining maturity in yoga practice involves learning to respect the paths that other people are on and acknowledging their merits, maybe even acknowledging that your own path is lacking in some area where another one excels.” ~ Geeta S. Iyengar
The Wisdom of Not Knowing
Without humility in yoga practice, there’s little desire to learn. When we think we are knowledgeable, we tend to hold fast to principles that may or may not actually be sound. We can easily get stuck in a rut. Suzuki Roshi famously said, “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities. In the expert’s mind there are few.” When we are confident of the rightness of our knowledge and methods, there’s little room for questioning the efficacy of what we’re dispensing. When we approach practice with curiosity and humility, we open ourselves to new insights.
Early in my teaching practice I was far more confident of what I thought I knew. I dispensed instructions I’d heard and practiced without really thinking about how these “proper” alignment techniques actually meshed with how human skeletal structures are built. It wasn’t until I was sufficiently humbled by my practice that I could begin to question the instructions I’d set in stone.
Open-minded exploration, fueled by humility in yoga practice, allowed me to look deeper. I’ve abandoned much of what I taught in those early years, and I’m well aware that I may someday abandon the instructions and practices I now favor. As Gandhi said, “I’m committed to truth, not to consistency.”
Practice Isn’t the Same as Performance
Humility in yoga practice inspires us to explore with an open mind. It allows us to remember that practice is just that: practice. It is not about distinguishing ourselves by performing virtuosic postures. Understanding yoga as practice—rather than performance—keeps it fresh. When we understand that our practice is an ever-evolving process rather than a pathway to a static goal, we can be present with it as it changes and deepens.
Looking Inside Cultivates Humility in Yoga Practice
Humility calls upon us to question ourselves, our motives and actions. In this way, it teaches integrity and honesty. Meditation requires humility. When we look inward and observe the workings of our minds, we don’t always like what we see. In fact, our mind stuff can be downright infuriating, irritating and humiliating. It takes great courage and humility to look deeply and own up to what we see. But the rewards are great: the cultivation of honesty, integrity, kindness and discernment.
My favorite part of Geeta Iyengar’s quote is her interpretation of mature practice. When practice matures, we are open to acknowledging what works and what doesn’t in our favored practices, and respectful of practices that don’t look like ours. There’s no one-size-fits-all yoga practice. Nor is there any one-size-fits-all philosophy. Humility in yoga practice shows us that our own practice is no “better” than someone else’s. It simply fits who we are—at least in this moment.
This open-mindedness—born of humility—that understands the changing nature of our own minds and bodies, and that of everyone else’s minds and bodies contains the seeds of peace.
About Charlotte Bell
Charlotte Bell discovered yoga in 1982 and began teaching in 1986. Charlotte is the author of Mindful Yoga, Mindful Life: A Guide for Everyday Practice and Yoga for Meditators, both published by Rodmell Press. Her third book is titled Hip-Healthy Asana: The Yoga Practitioner’s Guide to Protecting the Hips and Avoiding SI Joint Pain (Shambhala Publications). She writes a monthly column for CATALYST Magazine and serves as editor for Yoga U Online. Charlotte is a founding board member for GreenTREE Yoga, a non-profit that brings yoga to underserved populations. A lifelong musician, Charlotte plays oboe and English horn in the Salt Lake Symphony and folk sextet Red Rock Rondo, whose DVD won two Emmy awards in 2010.
FAQs
Humility in yoga practice inspires us to explore with an open mind. It allows us to remember that practice is just that: practice. It is not about distinguishing ourselves by performing virtuosic postures. Understanding yoga as practice—rather than performance—keeps it fresh.
Is yoga scientifically proven? ›
As therapy. There is strong scientific evidence that yoga is a safe and effective additional therapy for people with low back pain. On its own, yoga is about as effective as other active treatments for back pain, and more effective at reducing pain and improving function than non-exercise treatments.
What is the first yoga pose? ›
Downward-Facing Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
It may be the first pose you learn as you begin a yoga practice. It acts as a transitional pose and can be a resting position.
How many types of yoga are there? ›
The four main types of yoga are Karma Yoga (selfless service), Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Raja Yoga(meditation), Jnana Yoga (intellect).
What are the 4 components of humility? ›
But in brief, intellectual humility consists of four elements: Respect for Viewpoints, Lack of Intellectual Overconfidence, Separation of Ego from Intellect, and Willingness to Revise Viewpoints.
What are the three types of humility? ›
He discussed Humility as three types: intellectual, moral and personal. By breaking humility into three types the author says it might help us nurture the behavior(s) more fully in our own lives. Intellectual humility is the knowledge that no matter how smart we are, we can always learn from others.
Do doctors believe in yoga? ›
Embracing doctor-recommended yoga isn't just a stretch; it's a step towards a stress-free life and improved well-being. Imagine the tranquility of a calm mind and the vitality of a strong body—this is the harmony yoga brings into your life.
Does yoga believe in God? ›
Because of the touchy nature of the subject, yogis and yoga texts generally avoid discussing God. Patanjali's Yoga Sutra, the main text of yoga, brings up this topic within the context of working with the mind and its modifications. Yogis are fully aware that Truth is God and that God is infinite and indescribable.
What is the purest form of yoga? ›
Hatha Yoga in its purest form with no innovations can provide many benefits. There is a reason that Yoga has survived for thousands of years, because it is a profoundly powerful practice. It was developed by wise beings who walked this earth thousands of years ago.
What is the first rule of yoga? ›
1. YAMA – Restraints, moral disciplines or moral vows. This first limb, Yama, refers to vows, disciplines or practices that are primarily concerned with the world around us, and our interaction with it.
Hatha is one of the foundational forms of yoga and considered the most basic version by many teachers. It's beginner-friendly because it's the most general type of yoga, according to Lisa Blum, a doctor of physical therapy, certified yoga teacher and physical therapist at Shift Wellness in New York City.
What is the most difficult type of yoga? ›
Ashtanga is considered the most difficult yoga style because you need a lot of patience and discipline. By the way, it is perfectly normal to work on a series for months or even years: Frequent failure and willpower are part of Ashtanga yoga.
What is the gentlest form of yoga? ›
Hatha Yoga
In most cases, however, it will be relatively gentle, slow and great for beginners or students who prefer a more relaxed style where they hold yoga poses longer.
What is the highest form of yoga? ›
Meaning: 'Royal', 'Chief' or 'King', alluding to being the 'best' or 'highest' form of yoga. Closely linked to Patanjali's Eight Fold Path of Yoga, Raja yoga is also known as 'Classical Yoga'. This path is precise and contemplative.
What is humility explained simply? ›
Humility, from the Latin humilis, meaning low or small, means the quality of being free from pride and having a low, down-to-earth view of your own importance or significance. People who exhibit humility tend to view others as equals or superiors.
What does it mean to practice humility? ›
But humility has nothing to do with meekness or weakness. And neither does it mean being self-effacing or submissive. Humility is an attitude of spiritual modesty that comes from understanding our place in the larger order of things. It entails not taking our desires, successes, or failings too seriously.
What is considered humility? ›
: freedom from pride or arrogance : the quality or state of being humble. accepted the honor with humility. The ordeal taught her humility.
What are the 8 marks of humility? ›
In Chasing Humility, he helps you explore eight essential aspects of humility in the life of a Christian: authenticity, confidence, gratitude, love, praise, empowerment, mentoring, and breaking barriers.
