First comes the inner revolution – in the human heart Then follows the just consequence in the outer world The floods of death, mix with floods of life, to become an ocean of compassion May not one single soul (child) be denied and left abandoned Another cycle of the Earth around the Sun. Another year passes, and a new one enters. A repeating cycle between light and dark, life and death, expansion and contraction. A seed grows a forest and the forest delivers the seed again. And yet, each year, something is left behind while each coming year brings new…

Humans are typically very willing to give away their power if they think a person can help them. This dynamic creates an imbalance of power within the relationship. This imbalance is magnified in a relationship with a yoga teacher, therapist, or spiritual leader because of the greater degree of trust involved and the accompanying desires to both please and to not displease the teacher or leader. A yoga teacher is not inherently more powerful than others. Rather, the students’ trust and their desire for a perceived benefit – their vulnerability – give the teacher more power and influence in the relationship. There is nothing wrong with…

Students may naturally have a desire to please or to not displease their yoga teachers. This desire contributes to the “power imbalance” that is inherent in all student-teacher relationships. The vast majority of yoga teachers are respectful of the ethics around such imbalance and maintain professional relationships with their students. This article is about how, in a student-teacher relationship, it is imperative for yoga students to understand their rights, the ethical boundaries Kundalini Yoga teachers are required to uphold, and what to do or where to go if you have a question, concern, or want to report a teacher’s misconduct. Consider that…

Turning the teaching of yoga into a successful business venture can be a complex art to master in and of itself… and deciding one’s philosophical and ethical views about developing an entrepreneurial yoga platform can open up many challenging questions. Viewpoints around service, .e.g, what to give and what to keep for oneself, are all questions to contemplate in a society that may emphasize material wealth over altruistic aims. This article is meant to explore this topic from different perspectives, considering the rights of a yoga student alongside a teacher’s right to earn and charge for their time and expertise….

What is a yoga standard? As we continue to explore how pedagogy evolves in yoga traditions, we can keep in mind that apprenticeship or disciple traditions of India do not fit neatly into the “square pegs” or accreditation models of education in the Western world. There are many steps to take in order to become an E RYT-500 (Experienced Registered Yoga Teacher with Yoga Alliance). Such standardization is a necessary part of yoga reform and growth. In today’s world, yoga teachers are held to quantifiable standards and a credentialing process to ensure not only that quality and high pedagogy standards…

The art of teaching evolves The yoga world in the West has seen many changes in professional standards and teaching styles since its early years, as the relationship of the student to the teacher has undergone significant scrutiny. This is especially so, as in the last decade central gurus/spiritual teachers from multiple yoga traditions have faced serious allegations of abuse or exploitation. As yoga communities of various traditions gained greater awareness of not only harm that occurred, but how trust and belief in a person or institution can blind them to signs of wrongdoing, they needed to reevaluate teaching approaches…

“Safety has to be everyone’s responsibility… everyone needs to know that they are empowered to speak up if there’s an issue.”  Captain Scott Kelly   This article examines the ways people can respond if complaints arise in their community and why retaliation is never the right way to respond. The investigation of a complaint is already a difficult situation for the Reporter, any witnesses, and the person complained against (the Subject of a complaint). It can become a harmful situation when a person involved in the complaint process reacts in a retaliatory way. Typically the person or business named in…

By EPS – Office of Ethics and Professional Standards A yoga culture that encourages participation through seva is  a way for students to enjoy meaningful time together, build community and most importantly develop the depth of giving without thoughts for the self. Seva is one of the cornerstones of many yoga traditions. Giving within a community context has been shown in research to support wellness and long term happiness.¹ Volunteer work, while different in some ways from seva, when done from a place of genuine giving, contributes to a sense of connection and life purpose.  When offering seva opportunities to students…

IKYTA recognizes one National Association per country, that holds a neutral space for all teachers and trainers to connect and support each other professionally and personally. Each certified KRI Level One Aquarian Teacher is encouraged to join your NKYTA. If your country doesn’t have one, teachers can join or renew their membership as an International Member directly with IKYTA.   What is IKYTA's relationship with the National Associations? There is a collaboration agreement between the National Associations (NKYTA) and the International Association (IKYTA) as we can work together and support each other to fulfill the missions of both associations. According…

Thanks to the service of thousands of Kundalini Yoga teachers, the community fabric around these teachings has spread around the world, and today has a global presence. 3HO Foundation continually invites us to experience the Healthy, Happy,  Holy lifestyle typical of our tradition, where community life is key.   According to KRI records, today there are certified teachers from more than 52 countries, on every continent. IKYTA serves certified Kundalini Yoga teachers in their personal development and community building, highlighting professionalism and inspiring positive social change through service.   Thanks to the community development promoted by teachers and students in…