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Yoga Teachers Code of Ethics Yoga
Teachers offer experiential programs within a safe environment, the nature of
yoga (union of the body, mind and spirit) on or off the mat is to induce
non-ordinary states of consciousness, in the process of opening the body and
psyche, though which profound transformation can occur.
As a teacher of any program or class, we are stewards of the trust our
students place in us. It is our responsibility to uphold and foster this sacred,
safe environment in which to allow this work to happen. It is essential that anyone teaching has a high degree of
personal integrity and maintains clear boundaries in the role of serving the
students. Holding
ourselves as teachers’ places us in a position of power to the students,
however subtle or obvious. We
become their mentors, facilitators and helpers.
Some students may idealize us or project that we are wiser or more
evolved than they are. As
professionals, we must remain aware of this power dynamic and never exploit the
vulnerability of a student for our personal gain or gratification.
As teachers, we must follow the codes of the Yamas and Niyamas, in all
our interactions with students. In
addition to awareness of the power dynamic, we ask our yoga teachers to uphold
the environment of inner focus. Over
the years many students have expressed their gratitude to have a place to come
where they can safely open their hearts, observe their own deeper dynamics and
be free from romantic, sexual distractions and conditioned behaviors.
This is what makes the yoga experience unique.
Because of this, we ask that all our yoga teacher’s practice caution
and self-examination, before engaging in any sexual, romantic evolvement with
their students. If an attraction
occurs, we ask that you contact the director of yoga teacher training to discuss
the situation, so that the director can help to guide and advise you, and ensure
neither you nor the student are responding to a power dynamic.
We also advise that you keep sexual or romantic involvement outside the
classroom. Our
intention is not to be punitive or repressive.
Although our first commitment is to practice restraint with romantic
involvement, we do recognize that an attraction between a student and Yoga
Teacher could develop, with care and sensitivity, into a healthy, conscious
relationship. Our Yoga Program
Director has received training in ethics and can provide caring, non-judgmental
support for clarity in these matters. An
impartial, outside opinion can help advise you in potentially uncomfortable
situations, to follow the ethical path. Agreement Specifically,
I agree to the following code of ethics while I am a Yoga Teacher: •
I agree to hold myself as a steward of safe and sacred space by maintaining
clear, personal and professional boundaries.
I will continually be aware of my position of power and influence in
relationship to my students, being specifically attentive to the non-projection
of my own agendas, perceptions and outcomes on the students.
I will not seek to fulfill my needs at the students’ expense. (be it
money, sex, power, love, truth, insight or oneness) •
I agree that my purpose of a yoga teacher is to serve the student’s personal
exploration. I agree that I will avoid any activity or influence that is
conflict with the best interest of the students or is solely for my own personal
gain or gratification. •
I agree to hold myself as steward of safe and sacred space by exercising caution
and applying the principles of the yamas and niyamas in romantic or sexual
relationships with students in my trust. I understand that any sexual
relationship or romantic relationship is potentially distracting and possibly
even harmful for the student who has come to do inner work. I will not invite,
act on, respond to or allow sexual, romantic contact with a student during the
time that person is in my class, even if the student is the initiator. This is not appropriate in the classroom. •
If a romantic attraction does develop with a student, I agree to seek support
and clarity from the Director of the Yoga Program before acting on the
attraction. I understand that the purpose of the ethics and this agreement is to
protect the environment of sanctuary for the students and to support the
clarity, consciousness, and self-responsibility of individuals. I understand
that the yoga program develops an individual approach to each situation in a
dialogue. •
I agree to represent my qualifications honestly and provide only the services I
am qualified and certified to perform. I agree to refrain from recommending
treatment, diagnosing a condition, or suggesting a student disregard a
physician’s advice. I understand
that I am present to my students in this venue to teach yoga, not to be a
physician, psychologist, or priest. I
understand that all actions that breach the principles of this code will be
fairly investigated. I understand that if the situation warrants, my
certification as a yoga teacher may be revoked. I
have read and understand this document in its entirety and agree to honor this
code of ethics. I also understand that by signing the Yoga Teacher Training,
Basic Certification, Criteria and Certification Agreement I am entering into a
legal contract that incorporates all aspects of this ethics agreement as stated
in Certification Agreement.
Supports
for Participants of the Yoga Teacher Training Program The following can make a real
difference to your individual and the group’s experience. 1.
Arrive five minutes early at all sessions so that you can find your seat,
relax, and be prepared to start on time 2.
Wear your nametag in a visible place so that we can call each other by
name. Stick on nametags will be provided in the program room in a
case you forget yours. 3.
Bring your training manuals and writing materials to every session. 4.
Be present in all sessions by sitting up rather than lying down, by
remaining alert and attentive, and by not talking when someone is teaching or
sharing. You are always welcome to get up and stretch if you need to
stay present. 5.
When you want to share or have a question, raise your hand until you are
called on. Then speak clearly so that everyone can hear you.
The director would usually indicate when they want you to speak up, so
that the whole group can hear you. Please
remember that some students may be hard of hearing, and if you speak quietly you
are excluding them from the program. Your
speaking clearly and loudly will be helpful and appreciated. 6.
Help tidy
the program room after each session (i.e. stacking pillows and backjacks,
folding ties and blankets, disposing of tissues and gathering personal
belongings.) 7.
Reading
assignments are provided as a support to you.
Use the reading to enhance your learning, rather than creating stress
around completing them. 8.
If you
have children, arrange with other parents to share childcare so that you can
attend all sessions. 9.
Support
yourself, the group, the community, as well as the other guests in the program,
by complying with the lifestyle guidelines.
Please give special attention to: • Use
moderation in your physical affection (i.e. kissing, overt displays with others
in the church or yoga studio) These
are spiritual environments, and we use moderation in them • Comfortable
attire is requested at all times, especially during sessions, and exercise a
reasonable level of modesty, to respect others in the room. • Men: no short shorts and please wear underpants • Women:
wear bras or sport bras; tights are ok as long as they do not ride up or cling
inappropriately. • Eat
moderately. No extended fasts (no
fast longer than a day) before or during program days. • Refrain
from beginning new romantic and/or sexual relationships with peers during your
training. This will help to
create a safe and professional environment for learning as well as add a
professional atmosphere and attitude. Yoga
can bring up increase sexual energy (this is natural and common). We want you to learn from your experience here during your
training concerning how to work with this energy and other energies/emotions so
that you will strengthen your awareness for when you become a certified teacher.
Know that the program faculty and assistants are here to support you. • When
working in partners (during yoga partner teaching and assisting) be open to
giving and receiving feedback about your assists. Take responsibility for your experience and be willing to
dialogue with someone if you are feeling comfortable/uncomfortable with his or
her assists. We will be teaching
you about specific assists and you will have the opportunity to practice with
each other. • Refrain
from wearing any scents or scented products.
There are many people who have allergies (students and staff).
Scents can also interfere with the enjoyment/ability to practice
pranayama. The
Integration Process The
practice of yoga as well as the development of teaching skills involves not only
learning new external information, but also encountering and understanding our
internal selves on a deeper level. As
with any personal/interpersonal work, it can frequently bring us to unresolved
issues of our past, which must be acknowledged, expected, and assimilated if we
are to develop and mature in ourselves. The
ability to integrate the internal work with the external information is the key
to a successful and enjoyable training. In light of this, our training included various ways to
support the integrative process within your own body/mind/emotional/energy
system, while at the same time, honoring the objectives and goals of the
training and class as a whole. The
following are roots available for this to happen: •
Sharing in the room: There are times available in almost every session to speak
relevant thought, questions, feeling and insights into the room.
Please realize there will be time boundaries set on your speaking by the
session leader, out of respect for the overall process at hand. •
Integration groups: You will be included in a small group (4 individuals)
for the duration of the training. This
group can meet on a weekly basis to have some time for each member to share,
listen, connect and find resonance for their experience. •
Break out sessions: During the course of the training there will be a few
sessions in which groups of students will meet with one of the staff for the
purpose of more intimate dialogue regarding feelings, experiences, personal
process and so forth. •
One on one with colleagues: This type of process, called
“co-listening” is built into some of the teaching sessions.
It provides a space for closer bonding, non-judgmental listening,
training in developing rapport with colleagues and self-sufficiency in creating
support for one’s process of integration. •
Consultation with staff: Because of the intensity of the program and the
demands it places on the staff to prepare, deliver and integrate each of the
sessions, there is, in general, limited time for personal consultation.
We ask that you be judicious in your requests, and we will happily
respond within the available time. •
Your sadhana: The meeting ground of body, mind spirit is on the mat.
Your regular sadhana and observance of the guidelines is fundamental to
the combination with the avenues mentioned above are the most dependable paths
to integration. •
Your own Personal Health and Emotional Support System: It is important
that you take responsibility for your own health and emotional needs during this
program time. Therefore we highly recommend that you establish and maintain
contact with your personal therapists and loved ones during this process. Agreement I have read and understand the above Yoga Teacher’s Code of Ethics and Supports. If certified I will teach in a manner expressively approved in the above document and will meet all ethical requirements in this agreement as a condition of continued certification. Name:
___________________________________________________________ Signed: ______________________________ Date: ____________________ |
