As yoga teachers, we are stewards of peace and positivity in our communities. We have a responsibility to our students, to our teachers, and to ourselves to behave in a moral and ethical manner and to maintain a high degree of personal integrity.
Yoga World Reach Code of Conduct is based on the Classical Yoga Ethical Guidelines found in the Yamas (Behavior restraints concerning how one relates with society and the natural environment) and the Niyamas: (Internal-restraints concerning how one observes his/her daily life)
The Yamas
Ahimsa (Non-harming): Non-violence. Loving kindness to oneself and others, not blocking or obstructing the flow of Nature, compassion, gentleness.
In Practice:
Honor and love yourself.
Be loving, kind, friendly, and respectful to the students, willing to serve and help them as best as you can.
Never demean or abuse a student physically or verbally.
Be patient with yourself and the students, never forcing things to happen against the natural process of yoga.
Never degrade or demean other yoga teachers or yoga systems.
Satya (Truthfulness): Being genuine and authentic to your inner nature, having integrity, honesty, being honorable, not lying, not concealing the truth, not downplaying or exaggerating.
In Practice:
Stay genuine to who you are and centered in your divine Self.
Show humility, admitting your limitations and when you just don’t know the answer to a question.
Truthfully and accurately represent your teaching experience and training in all self-promotion.
Before speaking, examine what you are about to say using The Four Gates of Speech:
• Is it truthful?
• Is it necessary to say?
• Is it the appropriate time?
• Can it be said in a kind way?
Asteya (Non-stealing): Not taking what is not yours—money, goods, or credit. Not robbing people of their own experiences and freedom. Non-desire for another’s possessions, qualities, or status.
In Practice:
Never exploit the student’s position for your own personal gain or gratification..
Give credit where it is due, by verbally honoring your teachers, students and the sources of your knowledge and skill.
Seek to uplift others whenever possible and give students the opportunity to co-create their unique and individual experience of yoga.
Brahmacharya (Walking or having ethical conduct like God): Relating to another with unconditional love and integrity, without selfishness or manipulation. Practicing sexual moderation, restraining from sexual misconduct, and avoiding lustful behavior.
In Practice:
Welcome all students regardless of gender, race, religion, creed, nationality, cultural background, or sexual preference.
Avoid sexual relationships with students.
If the student-teacher relationship is about to be compromised by any intimate relationship, it is advisable for the teacher to assist the student in finding another qualified yoga teacher.
Never sexually harass a student.
Follow all civil laws and other legal codes of behavior.
Aparigraha (Non-clinging): non-possessiveness, not accumulating things beyond what is necessary, non-attachment to possessions, greedlessness.
In Practice:
When charging for services and classes, be honest and in integrity about what is financially sustainable and fair.
Practice a spirit of giving and sharing: time, energy, and resources.
The Niyamas
Shauca (Purity): Cleanliness, orderliness, precision, clarity, balance. Internal and external purification. Cleanliness.
In Practice:
Take the responsibility of creating and sustaining a clean and safe, sacred environment for all students.
Honor your body and personal space with cleanliness and order.
Santosa (Contentment): Equanimity, peace, tranquility, acceptance of the way things are. Contentment.
In Practice:
Be content and at peace.
Give positive feedback first. Let all constructive feedback come from a place of acceptance, non-judgement and love.
Maintain equanimity and tranquility of presence, even with students who are dull or unresponsive.
Tapas (Heat): Burning desire for divine inspiration expressed through self-discipline, purification, willpower, austerity, and patience.
In Practice:
Maintain your own regular personal practice of yoga asana, pranayama and devotion.
Svadhyaya (Study of the Self): Self-inquiry, mindfulness, self-study, study of the scriptures.
In Practice:
Maintain your own regular personal practice of book study, chanting and meditation.
When you don’t know the answer to a question, be willing to do research and to bring an answer back to the student as soon as possible.
Remind the students that you are also a student.
Keep your beginner mind, staying humble and open to learning.
Ishvara Pranidhana (Devotional offering to Divine): Surrender to grace, open-heartedness, love, devotion to positive universal supreme consciousness
In Practice:
Have shraddha (faith and trust) in the power and order of the Supreme. Put your will in alignment with the will of the Supreme and open to the power of Grace
No comments:
Post a Comment