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The Code of Practice articulates the knowledge, skills and methods that define the practice of yoga teaching by SYTA members. These are the hallmarks of yoga teaching in the Satyananda tradition in Australia. 1. We acknowledge the ancient wisdom and tradition of yoga and the integrated system of yoga practices developed by Swami Satyananda Saraswati as the source of our inspiration and the basis of our yoga teaching. 2. With an intention to love and support others, we see yoga practices as a pathway to holistic personal development, helping us all to grow in compassion and understanding. 3. We teach yoga from a basis of our knowledge of and training in this integrated system, and from the experience gained by ongoing personal practice. 4. We teach in a creative, positive and caring manner, assisting students to meet their physical, emotional, mental and spiritual needs. 5. At all times we place a strong emphasis on the expansion of awareness. 6. We teach a wide range of practices including asana, pranayama, yoga nidra, meditation, cleansing practices, chanting and kirtan. 7. We systematically build a range of integrated practices in a gradual and balanced way. 8. We structure our yoga classes in a way that gives students time and space to develop their awareness and to witness their experiences. 9. We use a meditative and focused approach in the way students are guided to their own experience as they perform yoga practices in a non-competitive atmosphere. 10.We teach practices that work on all the koshas/layers of the human being. 11.We encourage a deeper awareness of the movement of energy in the body. 12.We design yoga classes to be inclusive with regard to age, ability and health, encouraging independence and personal responsibility in students. 13.To allow students to focus within, we teach predominantly by verbal instruction, demonstrating practices where necessary. 14.We observe the yoga practices of students and provide feedback where appropriate, while seeking to maintain an atmosphere of relaxation and stillness in the class. 15.We are versatile in our teaching, gearing the practices to individual needs. 16.We aim for standards of excellence in our methods of teaching. 17.We pay attention to safety issues at all times and state appropriate contra-indications for the yoga practices. 18.We are mindful of students’ health issues, needs and limitations, and where appropriate seek guidance from and/or refer students to more experienced teachers and other practitioners. 19.We embrace the need for ongoing professional development as we continue to expand our skills and knowledge of teaching and practising yoga. 20.We encourage yoga teachers to network, through sharing experiences, debriefing and supporting each other.
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