| If you are a serious practitioner or a teacher of | | | | who fear anything they do not understand, and |
| Yoga, you might take for granted that everyone | | | | from those who take pleasure in stirring up the |
| knows about the mental, physical, emotional, and | | | | masses. Remember that intolerance comes in all |
| spiritual health benefits. Since we are involved in | | | | shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors. |
| practicing, or teaching, Yoga every day - we | | | | Do not be surprised by what you hear or see. Do |
| naturally assume everybody knows something | | | | not take intolerance personally. The objective of |
| about it. | | | | those, who see Yoga as a tool for creating |
| One way to find out about your local community's | | | | conflict, is to put you on an emotional defensive. |
| perception of Yoga is to network with the | | | | Rather than defend Yoga, you can rationally |
| medical sector. If local doctors ask you, "What is | | | | explain what it does for the public's health. |
| Yoga?" there is a need to explain what exactly | | | | Medical and spiritual professionals know that a lack |
| you do and how it will benefit their patients. You | | | | of pro-active behavior is the most common |
| should prepare a document that explains the | | | | reason for many of the ailments of humankind. |
| features and benefits of attending Yoga classes | | | | The amount of energy, effort, and financial |
| on a daily basis. | | | | resources that are wasted on self-abuse is |
| Some might refer to this document as an | | | | staggering. |
| "elevator speech." You should have it memorized | | | | Yoga is a complete health maintenance system |
| forward and backward. You should know about | | | | designed for the betterment of humanity. Be |
| the past and present medical research and studies | | | | completely prepared to logically explain how Yoga |
| related to Yoga. | | | | works and how it will benefit your local |
| You should also be prepared for extremely | | | | community. |
| intolerant and fundamentalist ideas from those | | | | |