I Feel
- I feel ashamed
- I feel I have been emotionally abused – will I follow my teachers role
- I feel like a victim
- I feel so fragile – the resiliency factor
- I feel perfectly okay one minute and something sets me off – an explanation of triggers
- I am feeling overwhelmed – how do I stay safe
- I cannot cope – how do I find the right therapist
- I think I have post traumatic stress – an explanation
- I feel I would like to speak out
- I feel ostracised
- I feel isolated and lonely
- I feel like my teacher conned me – take the fake guru test
- I feel as if I have been manipulated
- I feel dirty – how do I reclaim my sexuality
- I feel I need nurturing
"When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always." ― Mahatma Gandhi
Yoga is more than a sequence of postures; it is a philosophy rooted in awareness, integrity, and care for others. The International Yoga Alliance For Ethics gathers teachers, students, and practitioners around a shared commitment to ensure that the tradition is honored through honest conduct. By promoting clear standards and open dialogue, the alliance encourages every community member to reflect on how their actions shape the experience of those around them on and off the mat.
Ethical practice begins with listening. Many who enter yoga carry quiet stories of harm, confusion, or disappointment, and the alliance stands in solidarity with survivors and vulnerable students. Through collective conversation and accessible resources, the organization works to restore dignity, respect, and trust within teaching relationships. Creating spaces where concerns can be voiced without fear is essential to nurturing a culture where healing can genuinely unfold.
A meaningful code of ethics requires more than good intentions; it calls for thoughtful assessment of tricky situations and a willingness to interpret actions honestly. Teachers are invited to examine the difference between ego and true progress, recognizing that hours of study do not automatically translate into wise guidance. The alliance supports this reflective process by offering frameworks that help practitioners distinguish genuine growth from convenient self-deception, fostering accountability at every stage of learning.
Uniting women, students, and affiliates under a common purpose strengthens the entire yoga community. When schools, studios, and independent teachers sign on to shared ethical principles, they signal that the standards required to teach, learn, and heal safely are non-negotiable. This collective pledge encourages healthy relationships, lasting solutions, and a renewed sense of solidarity, ensuring that the path of yoga remains a refuge built on integrity rather than silence.
