My Teacher said to me:
"Live in the Soul"
-Lalla

Many people are seeking paths to integrate body, mind, and spirit. How does one find a practice and a teacher?

A wise mother knows that one child may needs to be held quietly, while another may seek stimulation.

For a moment, invite yourself to journey back to yourself as a young child, with a strong inherent will to evolve, learn, and grow. Did you seek solitude among the trees? Were you drawn to climb to the top-most branches, or were you enchanted with the moss and undercarpet? Were you a daredevil acrobat on the swing set, or did you dig in the sandbox?

What was the journey of your body and mind, before you were aware of society's expectations, and your abilities in comparison with those around you? What allowed your heart to sing?

Just as one person may prefer jazz, while another enjoys reggae or hard rock, choosing a practice is a matter of individual choice.

Exploring a path is a journey back to oneself. It is a desire to re-discover the inner teacher. Approaching your quest with patience, self-awareness, acceptance, and attunement will yield affirmation from deep within.

Our dominant culture is characterized by an achievement orientation, standardization, and a focus on the future. We seek scientifically quantifiable results which can be measured and duplicated. Our approach is to learn from the right brain (intellect) rather than the left brain (intuitive). Western approaches to diet, health, and wellness often fail to recognize variations in individual constitution. A practitioner's desire may be to sell a product or tool for diet or wellness, rather than being present to individual needs.

Eastern approaches tend to be more encompassing. Ayurveda, the sister science of yoga, recognizes each individual's composite of the elements of earth, fire, and air. Indications of constitution include skin color, hair, frame, metabolism, sleep patterns, quality of digestion, and illness susceptibility. A person's inherent constitution does not change.

Some styles of yoga attract students who desire a steady, consistent, gentle, and repetitive approach to learning. Other styles offer variety and change. Practice can be very willful and physically demanding, or, nurturing and restorative. An individual's needs may change over time, or in relationship to overall health, lifestyle, and season of the year.

Regardless of the form, the invitation is to develop the capacity for "witnessed consciousness". Witnessed Consciousness is the ability to step back and observe, without judgment. It is the ability to view the mind from a place of non-attachment, and to remain present to the experience of the moment. Patanjali explained, "The attention is made clear by friendliness, compassion, joy and non-attachment to happiness, pain, virtue, and vice respectively.

Yoga is not a tool for using the body to enhance the ego through mastery of the postures. In a comfortable and easily executed pose, the challenge is to release the ego. In a difficult posture, as in life, the challenge is to release the judgmental mind.

Yoga is a synthesis of practice (symbolized by the sun) and non-attachment (symbolized by the moon). Yoga, from the root meaning "yoke", or "to join", integrates the polarities of intellect and emotion, will and surrender, and strength and compassion. Holding a difficult physical posture is a metaphor for holding a difficult emotional posture

Spiritual teachers model humility, reverence, and non-attachment. The teacher's intention is to support you in finding your dance. A true teacher will not try to be all things to all students, but will delve deeply into his/her passion and teach from that truth.

The search for a teacher and a path is an experiential journey. Ask a potential teacher about his/her style and philosophy. (Suggested questions are included in Certified Yoga Teacher - illumination or illusion?) Try to discern the essence of the work. Approach your quest as an adventure, honoring your journey. Whether a class experience meets your rhythm and style, or challenges it, you will become more attuned to how to come home to yourself. Reflect non-judgment and respect to those who teach, and take ownership of your needs. Deeply honor your own inner wisdom. Experience your vision quest as a journey filled with treasure. Delight in being a seeker, immersed in the exploration.

"Walk to the well.
Turn as the Earth and the Mountain
Circling what they love.
Whatever circles
Comes from the Center" - Rumi

Patricia Burke is the Director of Earthsong Yoga Center in Marlborough, MA., and the founder of the Massachusetts/New England Yoga Alliance. The Alliance offers free information and referral to yoga classes of all traditions.