One’s reason for starting yoga may have a demeanor on both the variety of yoga that makes a ‘perfect fit’, as well as the especial master chosen within a yoga discipline. Whilst the different varieties of yoga obviously suit some aims better than others, the coach you practice with will also make a difference to achieving what you desire with yoga. Or not.

Foe example, if you have an individual medical condition, it would be greater to informally interview prospective yoga teachers beforehand. First, to find out which classes might be proper, and to see whether that coach has a real grasp of what the condition or problem implies for a yoga practice. Some people, whether they are yoga coaches or not, have a more rigid outlook, and may not be able to appreciate that a flexible approach in such circumstances is important. Or, they may not have sufficient training or experience. Perchance they are even too busy to be available in a more personal way.

When choosing a yoga coach, it’s important to use your perception. And to understand that we, as individuals, may not find our requirements met by a class even if others do. Some masters are more nurturing than others, some are more focused on the spiritual aspects of yoga (which may or may not align with our own spiritual outlook). Some perform adjustments – which is where a master will use their body-weight to support you go further into a position – without really finding out whether a person has any injuries. And some simply do it too over-zealously. A student in that situation may feel that the ‘teacher knows best’. But it’s important to listen to your own body, and understand that not all yoga training is equal. And, not all teachers are equal, in all areas, either.

Some other things to consider when choosing a yoga master are:

- Are they dogmatic? Do they push an assured philosophical or spiritual viewpoint? Is there a subtle (or not so subtle) manipulation that implies that without their ‘guru’, your spiritual progress is on unstable ground. In actually, do they advise that you ‘need’ a guru (their guru) as a ‘guide’ in matters of spirituality because your own connection to Source-God isn’t good enough. In other words, are they suggesting you place your power outside of yourself, or do they rehash that you in fact are your own guide, and can get their quite well under your own steam.

* Are they (or the prominent representatives of their yoga discipline) overly concerned with money, fame, power, the size of their organization, or their degree of influence? If they (the organization) certify yoga masters, how long do the trainers have to train for? What are they trained in and what aren’t they taught about?

* How well does the master embody the basic spiritual qualities of compassion, kindness, peace, joy, and equanimity? Whilst we are all beings at different stages of the journey, it helps to look at a coach’s character, and ethics. No-one requires to be perfect, but what qualities, of themselves, are they bringing to class.