Ethical Dilemmas in the Seat of the Teacher

Every teacher is faced with uncomfortable situations and challenging relationships. It is during these times we find ourselves calling into question our understanding of the situation and how we act or think in relation to it. Many of these instances are informed by our personal values and ethics, two components that are central to who we are, yet which are rarely examined after our initial teacher trainings. As such, we may find ourselves holding onto loosely shaped ideas around what yoga can teach us about the best course of action or instinctual responses that “feel” right.

This weekend we will revisit the foundation of ethics laid out in the first two limbs of Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. We will examine the ways in which our personal values determine how we interpret and integrate the yamas and niyamas. In addition, we will explore how these dynamics inform some very practical challenges around conventional exchanges with our students: advice seeking, service exchanges, relational dynamics, and more. We will also spend some time examining how our world views and personal beliefs impact our teaching, how we express and explore what we are teaching, and personal responsibility.

This workshop is open to anyone, and is part of our 300-hour Advanced Teacher Training. If you are taking the class toward your teaching certification, please register for the program online in advance.

Schedule:

• Friday 5:00-8:00 pm
• Saturday 1:00-6:00 pm

Tuition: $155 for both days

Location: Seattle Yoga Arts (Capital Hill)