My personal Ashtanga Yoga teaching code of Conduct
As a student of Ashtanga yoga since 1999 my practice has of course evolved. There was a period of wild abandon when I first learned Ashtanga in the days before the internet with only a few teachers around who each had their own flourishes and style.
In 2006 I went to Purple Valley in Goa for two seasons as a chef where I met, practised with and became friends with many of the original Ashtanga yoga teachers. Once again, of these teachers had different information and styles depending on when they went to Mysore to learn from Pattabhi Jois.
These two years Sharath also came to teach while Pattabhi Jois was still at the helm and they closed the Mysore shala over Christmas.
The next stage was a few regular years going to Mysore myself for extended periods of time learning under Sharath Jois (then Rangaswamy) and completed the Advanced A series according to his teaching as he tightened up the system. I was authorised level 2 in 2012 and taught a daily Mysore class in the City (banking district) of London for over 10 years before Covid shut the centre down.
Luckily I was one of the first to start teaching Mysore online and it was great to see so many students from around the time zones.
Abuse Allegations in Ashtanga Yoga
During this time the Ashtanga yoga world was rocked as allegations of sexual misconduct and physical abuse of Pattabhi Jois were brought to light. We had heard of this before and now with times changing and the You Too movement victims were coming forward.
Over the years I've often been told by students of their abuse and misconduct from other teachers. It's made me both angry and sad that they have had to have these experiences.
My teaching has evolved in a natural way based on the students that come to my classes and now in light of further recent allegations I would like to share my personal Ashtanga yoga teaching code of conduct here.
My Manifesto
Many students are upset with the current system of Ashtanga yoga due to the normalisation of a high degree of power many teachers exert over their students and communities. Recent allegations have highlighted this once again. I’m not sure a representative body is relevant or will materialise.
As such, I’ve formalised my views in my teaching manifesto. For my regular students none of this is new, but I thought it was time to put it all in one place.
Firstly I’d like to make it clear that a rigid, dictatorial, and controlling teacher isn’t a more ‘traditional’ one. A ‘strict’ teacher isn’t a better or more knowledgeable one…This helps make it clear for all of us when something isn’t right.
Victims of abuse are targeted because they inherently feel powerless and doubting their own judgment. We can’t expect them to speak up.
These are guidelines are what I aim to adhere to in order to make my teaching a safe space, whether in person or online.
- I do follow the Ashtanga sequences as I learned them during my years in Mysore.
2. I will categorically not ‘stop’ students.
3. How much you as a student do is a two way conversation based on a discussion. The practice is not linear - just because you can’t do Mari D it doesn’t mean you can’t do kurmasana or kapotasna for example…
4. As a student you will not be expected to ‘let go’ to a physical ‘adjustment’.
5. You will not pushed with a force that requires you to ‘yield’ under a pressure.Ever.
6. As a student you will not be called out or told off in class like a child might be…
7. As a student you be able to decide:
- How much of a posture you want to do.
- How much or little you want to practice that day.
- You can choose to miss a posture due to injury, or the drop backs due to back pain…
8. You will not be penalised or made to feel bad for not turning up enough.
9. Or for going to the workshop of another teacher …
10. I will try my best not be seen to have all the answers or to be an omnipotent being.
11. My aim is to make students feel empowered, not reliant on me or ‘my community’.
12. My hope is to be treated respectfully as an authority in the class context alone.
This is my personal commitment, but I feel that as teachers we really do have to change and update to the modern times. Otherwise, I feel we’re in real danger now of losing Ashtanga as so many people are being put off by all the horror stories and infighting they hear….
This manifesto is not finite, it's a two way conversation, not a top down power trip. If you have feedback or comments or would just like to chat feel free to contact me or DM my social media.
