Truth Speaking

It is better to have a heart with words than words without a heart.
- Mahatma Gandhi

What is the saying? There are many versions of the truth?

A group of blind men heard that a strange animal, called an elephant, had been brought to the town, but none of them were aware of its shape and form. Out of curiosity, they said: "We must inspect and know it by touch, of which we are capable". So, they sought it out, and when they found it they groped about it. In the case of the first person, whose hand landed on the trunk, said "This being is like a thick snake". For another one whose hand reached its ear, it seemed like a kind of fan. As for another person, whose hand was upon its leg, said, the elephant is a pillar like a tree-trunk. The blind man who placed his hand upon its side said, "elephant is a wall". Another who felt its tail, described it as a rope. The last felt its tusk, stating the elephant is that which is hard, smooth and like a spear.

This parable originated in the ancient Indian subcontinent. Some versions end with the individuals becoming violent with each other and exchanging blows. The individuals witnessing the elephant suspect that the other persons are dishonest.

The moral of the parable is that humans have a tendency to claim absolute truth based on their limited, subjective experience as they ignore other people's limited, subjective experiences which may be equally true.

This reminds me much of our modern world still. How in disputes we may forget to consider the different perspectives that are present. Sometimes digging in deep with our heels into our mind's truth, deeply invested in being right. Maybe instead we could work towards being curious about what lies in one's heart and using out words to speak from that place, as Gandhi suggests above.

May you be able to speak your truth &
have the capacity to hold others' voices and their truths.

LauraLynn,
theYoke's executive director
& founder

COMING VERY SOON!

by Amber Favaregh

A Call for Collaborators

Do you know of a community... without Yoga? ...without access to professionally trained Yoga teachers?

A place where folks want to become a teacher of these ancient practices but don't have the resources to do so?

We want to help.

The creation of a 200 RYS mobile Yoga school is now being formulated by theYoke's executive director/founder, LauraLynn Jansen and theYoke's board president, Dr. Douglas Files.

Not only is the the mobility of this Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) an unique opportunity, so is the way it is delivered.

theYoke YTT Format

Immersion: The first 72 hours of this offering unfolds the full spectrum of Yoga. It takes participants beyond Yogāsana and general practices, found in the usual class, and immerses them into a deeper exploration of Yoga's grandness. Anyone can participate in this portion of the training, (meaning, if you don't want to be a Yoga teacher and just want to experience and understand Yoga more intimately please come!)

Teacher Training: The remaining 128 hours are specifically designed to provide a well-rounded educational hands-on experience of delivering the multiple paths (mārgas) of Yoga from hatha to jana to bhakti to raja.

Seva & Support: All students who complete the 200 hour training will be asked to consider doing a seva (service) offering in a community. While doing the seva project they will receive a full year of mentor-coaching post the YTT.

Meets:
when your community is ready

Please drop us an inquiry message if you are interested in creating a collaboration to bring a Yoga Teacher Training to your community. drop us a line
& we will keep you loop as we develop the next session.

Includes:
72 hour Yoga Immersion
128 hour Yoga Teacher Training
= 200 registered Yoga teacher training

Your investment: TBD
Al individuals who complete the YTT will receive a special gift of a o ne-year Yoke Professional membership.

This offering is part of theYoke’s sustainable Yoga communities program.

Want more details? contact us at: hello@theYoke.Yoga.

Dear Yoke Folk,