by Kara-Leah Grant The guru model is dead in modern Western Yoga. And the list of scandals involving gurus, or teachers, or swamis just seems to be growing longer. Where the hell are all the enlightened and perfect teachers? They don't exist. Our teachers - known and unknown, big and small, experienced and fresh, revered and loved, skilled and talented, wise and powerful - they are also human. Which means that our teachers, like us, have unconscious shit that can get in the way of their … [Read more...]
A List of Yoga Scandals Involving Gurus, Teachers, Students, Sex and Other Inappropriate Behaviour
By Lucinda Staniland & Cara Butler Content warning: Some accounts of sexual abuse in this story contain explicit details and strong language that some may find upsetting or triggering. Editors Note: This list was last updated on 22 September 2020. To our best knowledge, the information given here is accurate but there may be new developments which we are not aware of. Let us know in the comments if you notice something that needs to be updated. The last few years have been awash with yoga … [Read more...]
Why yoga teachers are either shot, or placed on a pedestal
by guest author and Wellington Yoga Teacher Bruce Foley Being a yoga teacher feels like two opposing forces pulling at me simultaneously. I am attracted to the act of teaching and derive great pleasure from it. It makes me feel good about myself as it tests my sense of courage and self-belief. It answers the question as to whether it is OK to trust my instincts because an intuitive class structure rarely lets me down. I see validation; recognition and understanding [of the path chosen] in … [Read more...]
If you can’t publicly own it, don’t do it (easy to say right?)
Forget the Ten Commandments. Forget even the Five Yamas or Niyamas. Here instead is the Golden Litmus Test. Apply it to all your behaviour. Everything you do. Everything you say. And everything you think. (If you really want to up your game...) Can you publicly own this action, word or thought? Can you publish it in the newspaper? Talk about it on Tv? Answer to it on radio? Yes? Sweet... do it, say it, think it. No? Don't do it, say it, think it... At … [Read more...]