Sex, intimacy, ethics and intuition: how best to safeguard students and prevent abuses of power in yoga teaching environments
Time for discussion, in a peer-supported meeting. Please join me for a respectful circle of sharing and discussion around the recent and historic abuses of power in yoga teaching.
#metooinyoga is a useful and currently relevant shorthand catchall phrase to encompass abuses of power and trust in yoga teaching environments. Topics under discussion this evening may include, amongst others:
• vulnerability and power in yoga
• the impact of imbalanced power relations in yoga teaching and yoga teacher training environments
• the role of intimacy in yoga teaching
• how to prevent disrespectful, abusive and exploitative behaviours arising in yoga classes, retreats and courses.
• safe boundaries in yoga teaching and training
My intention is not to offer solutions, but instead to create an independent, safe and sacred space and time in which we can acknowledge that we are facing some serious problems in the yoga world.
The aim of the evening is to create a safe and supportive circle within which we can consider what kind of questions we need to be asking in order to create appropriate responses and support to everyone who needs this, and to prevent future abuses and exploitations occurring.
Can you come and join me?
I (Uma Dinsmore-Tuli) will be sharing specially devised, nurturing Total Yoga Nidra practice at the beginning and end of the meeting to help to create a safe and healing circle to nourish everyone present.
Together with my respected colleagues Eunice Laurel, Theo Wildcroft, Sivani Mata Francis and Norman Blair, we shall co-facilitate discussion and sharing of issues arising from those present.
We trust that during this evening and within this circle, we shall be able to listen deeply (to own inner teacher and to others’ voices, and also to speak up and be heard with compassion and understanding.
The intention of our meeting is to support the development of an independent yoga sangha that is a safe, supportive, and empowering place for the growth and transformation of all, outside of the commercial imperatives of yoga studio or yoga school.
Schedule
1730 Arrivals, settling
1800 - 1830 Nurturing yoga nidra practice to welcome all into the circle
1830 - 2015 Discussion, and facilitations of sharing
2015 - 2030 Nourishing and centring yoga nidra practice to prepare for closure and departure