Well , it feels like it’s time to talk about all the elephants in the Ashtanga yoga room ...
First, there are the videos of Pattabhi Jois adjusting women in yoga poses that are, quite
frankly, uncomfortable for me to view. My heart goes out to the women who were the recipients. While at the same time, my mind wraps around what I must do - what we all must do - to make sure the yoga room can be a safe learning environment for ALL students.
But just a start. Because there’s a bigger conversation to be had around the power dynamics of any hierarchical system. Institutions that, as a practice, put people above or below others, superior and inferior. Cultural structures that allow some in
while shutting others out.
As in what happened just a few weeks ago when, all of a sudden, many senior certified teachers were taken off an online teaching registry kept by Sharath Jois, visible on the KPJAYI website.
There came no explanation. No statement. No apology. Nothing.
Ok, so maybe you think that's ok. Sharath doesn't have to give his reasons. He doesn't have to explain. After all, he's in charge. That's parampara.
Though as my parents will tell you, the whole, "Because I said so," stopped working for me at around age 8. Which is around the age critical thinking kicks in for
children and we begin considering behavior beyond just rules.
Of course, it would be easy to blame Sharath. Being “the boss” and all. But hold up ... because even within the ranks of those listed, there are various power structures - most notably on closed forums where speaking privileges of members may be revoked and access even denied, should the powers-that-be-there
decide.
And so I can’t help but wonder - how have any of us become so comfortably silent in allowing some rights others are denied?
Tara Brach talked about this in a recent podcast. Heirarchies, she says, are built on myths. Myths we've come to accept as truths.
Myths that allow us to accept what is otherwise, unacceptable.
And our myth - is parampara.
Interestingly enough, not one of the ousted certified teachers I’ve spoken with sound disturbed by their exclusion. Perhaps because their stories are based on actual
relationships rather than the mythical powers embedded in a word most of us cannot even define in today's world.
The questions are coming up fast and furious for me these days ... like, what does parampara mean? What does being a teacher mean? How is it I am so deeply devoted to a system, so powerfully imbalanced? And why is it I am scared to speak
up?
I don't have an answer except maybe, questioning IS the answer.
Though the one thing I do NOT question is my yoga practice. Truth is, none of these issues have any bearing whatsoever on my devotion or my studies.
The irony of this all happening now, however, is I am actually on my way to study for a month with Dena Kingsberg. And in June, I will spend two weeks with John Scott.
You see, it was my choice not to apply for the Mysore lottery this year and instead, spend quality time with these two beautiful, experienced teachers - whose names are now, no longer listed. And yet, this
matters not at all. Their names are lovingly etched in my heart. And no one has the power to erase them from me.
I'm sure there will be more to consider on all this. More conversations to be had. But until then, just remember: forget lists and look for God. That's the yoga. The rest, as they say, is just a circus.
