Teaching Hatha Yoga - The Power of Belief

There are many ways to help your Yoga studentsexperiences through small achievements. In Yoga
become successful in life. Instilling positive energy isclasses, we may hear the Sanskrit word "sattvah,"
one way to develop a path toward achievement. Yet,which means truth. If you study history, you can see
the most powerful technique toward a life filled withthat two different truths can lead to warfare.
success is instilling self-worth and self-esteem.There is no need for internal conflict. Whether we are
Our personal belief about ourselves is stronger thanstudents, or teachers, of Yoga, we have learned that
counseling, coaching, and positive reinforcement. If ataking positive action, in small increments, will cause a
Yoga student experiences self-doubt, this goes to theflow of great change. We could also call this effect a
core of one's belief in his or her abilities. When we"karmic wave."
doubt our ability, we envision failure. When we areMuch like waves in the ocean, steady movement, in a
confident, we envision a successful outcome.positive direction, will change one's belief about his or
Many Yoga teachers design stress managementher abilities. This will also cause a change in the
courses for the public. If you organize a stressexperience and the outcome of situations. Vipaka is
management class, seminar, or workshop, you shouldthe result and the fruit of one's action.
create a questionnaire that gives participants anThis is not some "brand new" Yogic technique. This
outside view of their inner being.concept of the karmic wave is thousands of years old.
A well-designed survey will yield much information in aAnyone can make changes, if he or she has the will to
journey of self-discovery. Here are a few questionstake steady action. Please be sure that your actions
that will help your participants change their outlookare positive and intended for the common good.
about their own self-worth.o What is truth?o Who doAs you teach Yoga classes, you can make great
you think you are?o How do you see yourself?ochanges toward ending the suffering of humankind,
What do you believe about yourself?o Do you believejust by exposing your students to believing in
you deserve to succeed?o How can you turnthemselves and their abilities. As a species, we need
negative situations into positive ones?innovators who are emotionally balanced, caring, and
Explain to your students that the past does not equalkind in their thoughts, words, and actions. Yoga can
their future. Anyone can learn to change dailytrain the mind toward complete stability and self-belief.