SYTA has provided a Code of Ethics for its members to follow.
To view the Code of Ethics follow these links to:
Summary
Details of Code:
Ahimsa
Satya
Asteya
Brahmacharya
Aparigraha
If you have a concern or complaint about an apparent breach of this Code of
Ethics, please consult SYTA's Grievance Procedure
for further guidance.
Summary SYTA Code of Ethics
1. Ahimsa — acting with care
We respect the integrity of all people with whom we are connected in yoga and
act with care towards them.
2. Satya — speaking truth in the service of all
We use truthful and clear communication to all people with whom we are
connected in yoga.
3. Asteya — behaving honestly
We behave honestly in all interactions: financial, material, emotional and
spiritual.
4. Brahmacharya — being wise and caring in sexual conduct
We bring care and wisdom to our sexual conduct and avoid all forms of sexual
exploitation.
5. Aparigraha — accepting only that which is freely given
We use our yogic knowledge and skills for the benefit of all people with whom
we are connected, and not to gain unfair personal advantage.
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Detailed SYTA Code of Ethics
Preamble
Satyananda Yoga
Teachers’ Association (SYTA) recognises that ethical behaviour is the
foundation of all yoga practice and yoga teaching.
The Code of Ethics is based
on the principle that all members of the Association are collectively
responsible for creating an environment of ethical behaviour, integrity
and safety. The purpose of the Code of Ethics is to establish a
standard of professional conduct that protects both yoga students and
yoga teachers.
While codes of ethical
conduct are presented in the texts of all major yoga traditions, the
most widely recognised is that in the renowned Yoga Sutra by
Patanjali. Patanjali divides the ethical recommendations into yama
and niyama. The niyama pertain to one’s relationship
with yoga as a spiritual path while the yama pertain to one’s
relationships with other people. The yama are: ahimsa
(acting with care); satya (truth); asteya (honesty);
brahmacharya (wise and caring sexual conduct); aparigraha
(accepting only that which is freely given).
SYTA adopts the yama
as the basis of its Code of Ethics. It also provides specific
guidelines for the application of these principles appropriate to our
role as yoga teachers in the context of Western culture generally and
Australian culture in particular.
This Code of Ethics was
developed by the SYTA Ethics Committee after a process of extensive
consultation in the yoga and wider community. It was approved in
principle by Swami Niranjan when he visited Australia in October 1996.
The Ethics Committee has
established a Grievance Procedure based on the principles of natural
justice.
Within the context of this
Code of Ethics, teacher refers to a current member of SYTA, and
student refers to a person who has a contractual arrangement with
a teacher to participate in yoga classes.
Yoga associates
refer to people with whom we are connected in yoga.
1. Ahimsa — acting with care
1.1
We act with care towards all persons with whom we are connected
in yoga.
1.2
We respect the moral, social, cultural and religious values of
our students.
1.3
We do not discriminate against or refuse teaching to anyone
because of their gender, age, sexual preference, disability, race,
culture, religion or political belief.
1.4
We take responsibility to decide whether or not we can assist a
student in yoga.
1.5
We take responsibility to make an appropriate referral if for any
reason we are unable or unwilling to teach a student.
1.6
We give priority to the teacher-student relationship which takes
precedence over other personal or professional connections with our
students.
1.7
We recognise that the teacher-student relationship involves a
power imbalance in favour of the teacher. We
also recognise that a power imbalance may exist between yoga associates,
either in a residential/retreat situation or within the wider yoga
community. We do not use this influence for our own gain, or the
gain of any institution or organisation with which we are associated.
1.8
We do not verbally or in any other way abuse, harass, or coerce
students or yoga associates.
1.9
We hold in confidence all verbal and written information about
students and yoga associates.
We obtain consent from
students and yoga associates if they appear in material for use in
teaching and publicity including when they are not identified. This
includes verbal and written case histories, and audio or video tapes.
1.10
We do not claim to have or use ‘psychic powers’ in the course of
teaching yoga.
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2. Satya — speaking truth in the service of all
2.1 We use truthful and
clear communication with all people with whom we are connected in yoga.
2.2 We communicate our
teaching credentials truthfully and without misrepresentation to
students,
yoga associates and referral sources.
2.3 We teach yoga
within the limits of our training, experience and competence.
2.4 We speak of other
yoga teachers and yoga associates with respect.
2.5 We
negotiate with other teachers or yoga associates when we are considering
establishing yoga
classes or programs in the same teaching area.
2.6 We use the
appropriate processes to respond to a complaint about unethical
behaviour by another yoga teacher.
2.7 We promote and
advertise our teaching ability and our yoga classes truthfully making
only realistic claims about the possible benefits and effects of yoga.
We do not use:
·
false,
fraudulent, misleading, deceptive or unfair statements
·
statements
implying unusual, unique or one-of-a-kind abilities, including
misrepresentation through sensationalism, exaggeration or superficiality
·
statements
intended or likely to exploit a student’s fears, anxieties or emotions
·
statements
concerning the comparative desirability of offered services.
2.8 We claim only those
levels of initiation that we have been granted. We use only those
titles accredited to us by our lineage. [ top ]
3. Asteya — behaving honestly
3.1 We behave honestly
in all our interactions: financial, material, emotional and spiritual,
and use all resources with care.
3.2 In all contractual
matters we conduct ourselves in a clear, honest and professional manner.
3.3 We conduct our
financial affairs in line with recognised business, accounting and
taxation procedures.
3.4 Before requiring
any commitment from students or yoga associates we provide full
information on fees, refunds and other financial arrangements.
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4. Brahmacharya— being wise and caring in sexual conduct
4.1 We bring care and
wisdom to our sexual conduct.
4.2 We avoid all forms
of sexual exploitation, harassment and assault.
Sexual
harassment is defined as, but not limited to:
·
repeated
and offensive comments, gestures or physical contacts of a sexual nature
·
the
implication that the teacher is a ‘Tantric’ teaching a Tantric sexual
practice
·
the
implication that teaching/knowledge will be refused or withdrawn if a
sexual relationship is refused
·
the
implication that a student or yoga associate has failed spiritually if a
sexual relationship is refused.
4.3 In any yoga
teaching/learning situation, including a residential/retreat, any form
of sexual exploitation or harassment of a resident/yoga
associate/visitor is unacceptable.
4.4 Any form of sexual
behaviour with a student is unacceptable.
Sexual
behaviour is defined as, but not limited to, all forms of overt and
covert seductive speech, gestures and behaviour including physical
contact of a sexual nature, as well as claims of being a Tantric, and/or
teaching Tantric sexual practices.
4.5 Any form of sexual
relationship with a student is unacceptable, including when a student
invites or consents to such behaviour. The exception is an ongoing
sexual relationship that predates the teacher-student relationship.
We acknowledge that teachers in many spiritual organisations and
communities have developed relationships with students or former
students. However, SYTA recommends these guidelines:
·
If a
sexual relationship develops between a teacher and a student, the
teacher must end the teacher-student relationship immediately and refer
the student to another teacher. There must be a clear understanding
from both parties that the student-teacher relationship has ended.
·
Before
engaging in a sexual relationship both parties need to allow a ‘cooling
off’ period. A suggested length of time for the ‘cooling-off’ period is
three months from the last formal teaching between them.[ top ]
5. Aparigraha — accepting only that which is freely given
5.1 We use our yogic
knowledge and skills for the benefit of all people with whom we are
connected in yoga and not to gain unfair personal advantage.
5.2 We respect the
independence and autonomy of our students and yoga associates in making
decisions regarding their spiritual life.
5.3 We establish fair
and clear guidelines for:
·
participation in our yoga classes and other services
·
the
payment of fees, refunds and other financial arrangements
·
donations
of time, money or goods in relation to our teaching or to any
organisation with which we are associated.
5.4 We give due
acknowledgment to the sources of information, techniques and teaching
materials used in our classes and courses, with full compliance with
copyright where relevant.
5.5 We do not coerce
students or yoga associates to make payments or donations of money,
goods or time to ourselves, another teacher or any organisation with
which we are associated. [ top ] |
