#157: Seekers, Teachers and the Challenges of Yoga with David Swenson

Can you remember day 1 of your yoga journey? How compelling the practice was even when your body was exhausted? That’s dedication, right? In this episode, world-renowned and trailblazing yoga teacher, David Swenson, reminds us that the essential awareness of push and pull with yoga can be almost non-existent at the beginning, especially if you're like David who likens his younger yogi self as an overly-keen labrador… While it can be hard to distinguish the line between pushing on and pulling back, a good teacher will empower you to think for yourself and develop enough body awareness to make the call. And to lean ever so slightly more inward, let’s also not forget that the ultimate goal of yoga extends beyond physical abilities.  We are not merely our bodies and part of the yogic path is about avoiding self-identification with external achievements. Instead, yoga offers the chance to cultivate humility, empathy, and the willingness to share the positive energy gained through practice–if you listen carefully enough.  Throughout this conversation, we explore both perspectives found within a yoga class and emphasise that students should have the intention of respect for the teacher's expertise and the discipline of yoga. While the student may be on a seeker’s journey, the path of a yoga teacher is not always easy either…   Start the journey now with your free 30-day membership on Omstars.com. Use code: PODCAST. Keep up with us online @omstarsofficial or follow me on Instagram @kinoyoga. Visit my blog at Kinoyoga.com to learn more. Don’t hesitate to get in touch with me at [email protected]. If you want to share what you’ve learned on your yoga journey, you could be invited to guest spot on The Yoga Inspiration Podcast.