Master Teacher: Jared McCann
Founder of Lighthouse Yoga School, Jared McCann’s emphasis has been a complete yoga practice, focused on connecting people deeply to their inner worlds. His challenging asana classes are balanced with Kriya, psychic development exercises, and Kundalini Tantra. In his words, “If you need to find your thigh muscle, go to Bikram!”
A world asana champion, McCann has studied with Ana Forrest, Dharma Mittra, and
Mary Jarvis, and has decades of practice in multiple methods, which he combines in his vinyasa classes.
Devoted student Nikki Ortiz said, “Jared's teaching, more than anything is transformative. He doesn't care about acrobatics, he cares about the evolution of your spirit, and he doesn't like wasting time! He is real and he’s honest. His teaching is demanding, but always with love.
Kathleen Kraft: What does your practice look like day to day?
Jared McCann: The first thing that I do in the morning is read for an hour. I read the Yoga Sutras, the Bible, A Course in Miracles, and all sorts of gospel, religious type texts: Buddhist, Hindu, New Age, and Christian. I love all the religions, but Hinduism has a special place in my heart because I love the Puranas and the different Gods and Goddesses.
After reading I chant mantra, sometimes out loud, sometimes to myself. I chant to Kali, Shiva, Vishnu, Rama, Jesus, Guru Ram Das, Buddha, Hanuman, Saraswati, Lakshmi, Durga, to the planets, and to the stars. Some mornings I chant for almost two hours, other days only 30 minutes, but I love to chant to God in various forms. Then I do pranayama. Some mornings I do 90 minutes of deep breathing, with breath retentions, while silently chanting. I don't have a set routine, but I allow myself 2 hours for morning meditation, chanting, pranayama, and kriya.
I teach at noon, which is also a meditation for me. I focus on each syllable carrying a divine invitation to my students. Then I practice asana for about 90 minutes after class, working on my poses. Then another meditation in the afternoon for 22 minutes before my evening class, and another meditation before bed.
KK: What are the most important qualities of the student/teacher relationship?
JM: Patience. Having patience for one’s students and allowing as much time as they need to grow. I have to remind myself of this because I forget that people are on their own path of progress and may still be addicted to illusions. I occasionally catch myself comparing myself to my students; this is not right. We must move at our own pace, in our own place, and on our own path. I try to give my students space, while maintaining the highest vision for who they are. I try not to say too much. I give them all mantras and meditations, but I also try to teach them everything so that they can use what they are attracted to without my force, but sometimes I lapse.
Unconditional love is so important. Whether they act like a monkey with a razor blade or an angel, I love them always. Whether they are happy or upset, I love them. Whether they come to yoga or not, I love them.
KK: Which sutra is guiding you?
JM: I love 1.13-1.16 about practicing without attachment to the outcome… so important in this world of fancy poses. I love the workbook of A Course In Miracles. Two that come to mind are: "I place the future in God's hands,” and "I am not a body, I am free. For I am still as God created me." I love the Gospel of Sri Rama Krishna. He says that to shed one tear for God clears all sins of the past.
KK: Who has been a major influence on your life, your work?
JM: My biggest influence on my life and my work is my grandmother Honey. She taught me to meditate as child, and she listened to my intuitions without bias… My family thought I was crazy!
I learn from everyone - my life and my students my teachers.
