Does anybody actually study yoga anymore? moment and moment again I see that folks classify taking a few workshops with a teacher as studying with that teacher. It seems a far cry away from the study of yoga in India when a student relocated to be near the teacher (typically at a very young age) and next proceeded to study for years with the same master. Now THAT’S study whether you ask me.

When I first started to get serious about yoga, I liked the notion of having a teacher but I couldn’t seem to find one. by the course of my studies I tried different types of yoga — all in an attempt to settle into a practice that felt right to me and to find a teacher that I wanted to study from. I thought about going to India but my schedule/lifestyle just didn’t allow for that. I know I will get there but for now I am studying with a local teacher (gee, it only took me years to find one!). Yes, folks, yoga requires some perseverance and persistence. Actually yoga isn’t the only thing that requires

those two things, but that’s a whole other post.

The point is that exploration is good. A few years into practicing a style of yoga that started to feel a bit shallow and Americanized to me, I yearned for something deeper…and soon after I went in search of it. I’m always amazed at the number of society who say that they tried yoga once — one style, one teacher — and decided that it wasn’t right for them. I understand that a lot is out there and it can be intimidating — and expensive — to find something that works for you. Regardless, I’d say the effort is well worth it.

If you’re thinking of traveling to India to get a taste of teachings steeped in ancient tradition and philosophy, a recent Business Week editorial lists India’s top five yoga centers.

Namaste!