I’ve been ruminating all week on how yoga in the East differs from yoga in the West.  Many teachers have told me that most Westerners wouldn’t actually enjoy taking yoga in India.  As much as I am benefiting from these teachings, I can understand why.  Life here is difficult.  Yoga here is difficult.  And living your life is living your yoga, because even the most mundane things, like drinking water, are not easy.

The Iyengar family takes teaching yoga very seriously, and they train their teachers to be tough.  They are on time, so you should be on time.  They work hard, so you should work hard.  Much is expected of you in return for the privilege of being here.  I happen to think that’s completely reasonable.

So if I had to boil this difference down to one word, that word right now would be (more…)