Cleanliness problem

Questioner · 04-27-2002, 02:47 AM

I Have a student who does not take her morning bath b4 coming to class. I was hoping that in time she would get a better self-esteem, as her level of self-acceptance seems low, and that she would take more interest in herself. Well, she hasn't yet, and it has been over 6 months.... Her odor is quite strong, so that I burn incense during class to cover it up. I usually only burn incense b4 class as it can bother some people. I don't want to offend her, but I also don't want to offend the other students in the class by not addressing this issue. We are in a relatively small space, so there is no way to "get away" from her. Have you faced this problem? Have you found a tactful way to address it? Do you think this cleanliness issue merits addressing as it affects student/teacher relationship?

Mukunda · 04-27-2002, 02:54 AM

It is important to address this topic. Under the Yamas we find that cleanliness and purity (saucha) are cited in II, 40-41 as being prerequisites for Asana practices. You can give a talk about the virtues of this act and how yoga strives for both internal and external cleanliness. The sutras as rendered in my upcoming book is as follows --

"From purity arises a desire to protect one's body and a cessation of adverse contact with others. From the purification of one's essence cheerfulness arises, and with it, one-pointed concentration, mastery of the senses, and the capacity for sustaining the vision of the True Self."

Clearly the sutras go beyond taking a bath. So for the teacher and student the purification is not attained until one is free from reactions to aromatic or unpleasant smells.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Knock-Knee Problem	johnson_jayaraj	Q & A on Yoga Practice and Yoga Therapy	5	10-28-2006 08:12 AM
Problem and suggestion	lv	General Yoga Discussion	0	06-12-2004 07:23 PM
Lower back problem	Questioner	Q & A on Yoga Practice and Yoga Therapy	2	05-28-2002 09:54 PM
T3 problem	Questioner	Q & A on Yoga Practice and Yoga Therapy	1	04-27-2002 08:47 PM
Knee problem	Questioner	Q & A on Yoga Practice and Yoga Therapy	1	04-27-2002 02:55 AM

04-27-2002, 02:47 AM	#1
Questioner Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 479	I Have a student who does not take her morning bath b4 coming to class. I was hoping that in time she would get a better self-esteem, as her level of self-acceptance seems low, and that she would take more interest in herself. Well, she hasn't yet, and it has been over 6 months.... Her odor is quite strong, so that I burn incense during class to cover it up. I usually only burn incense b4 class as it can bother some people. I don't want to offend her, but I also don't want to offend the other students in the class by not addressing this issue. We are in a relatively small space, so there is no way to "get away" from her. Have you faced this problem? Have you found a tactful way to address it? Do you think this cleanliness issue merits addressing as it affects student/teacher relationship?

04-27-2002, 02:54 AM	#2
Mukunda SYTherapy Creator Join Date: Jan 2002 Posts: 1,069	It is important to address this topic. Under the Yamas we find that cleanliness and purity (saucha) are cited in II, 40-41 as being prerequisites for Asana practices. You can give a talk about the virtues of this act and how yoga strives for both internal and external cleanliness. The sutras as rendered in my upcoming book is as follows -- "From purity arises a desire to protect one's body and a cessation of adverse contact with others. From the purification of one's essence cheerfulness arises, and with it, one-pointed concentration, mastery of the senses, and the capacity for sustaining the vision of the True Self." Clearly the sutras go beyond taking a bath. So for the teacher and student the purification is not attained until one is free from reactions to aromatic or unpleasant smells.