I once observed an instructor teaching advanced backbends to a class. One of the students came out of the pose quickly and said to the teacher, "I am having a pain right here. What do I do?" Because I had experienced that pain while doing the same backbend, I knew exactly what to press and what to extend to release the pain, so I expected a similar answer from the teacher. The teacher thought for a moment, and then in an authoritative voice gave an answer that actually made the pain worse. Later on, when I asked the teacher why she had made that suggestion, she replied worriedly, "Well, I didn't know what to tell that student because I have not done that pose before, but it was prescribed as a part of this particular level of teaching, so I was teaching it. I had to tell her something, so I suggested what I thought might work." The ways of the world often encourage us to put on such deceptive displays rather than act with integrity.
 
I was once assessing a woman working toward her yoga teacher certification. When a student in her class asked a question about anatomy, the teacher replied, "I don't know. But I will find out and let you know." She spoke the truth rather than try to create an appearance and protect her ego. I gave the woman extra points because of her integrity, whereas other assessors marked her down for not knowing the answer. Another example of the ways of the world!