Difference between initiation and learning

Spiritual initiation and learning some techniques from an ordinary Yoga teacher are different things. An ordinary Yoga teacher can only 'teach' a technique but he can never 'give' a technique. This is significant if you are practicing Yoga for spiritual benefits. Suppose there are two glasses filled with water. However, a spoonful of sugar has been added to one of them. Now when you look at these glasses apparently they look the same but when you taste the water you realize that both are different. Same thing can be said about initiation too. But now a days initiation has become just a formality or ritual at many places.