- By Dean Telano
Kind Karma® Yoga. Ethics of Rahini Yoga®.
Rahini Yoga® Code of Professional Standards
Section I
As Rahini Yoga® Teachers we must try to remember that we are models for many people, particularly our students, family, friends and community. Consequently, we should strive to live humbly, simply, and in a caring manner. We should try to put forth our greatest effort to be in tune with:
Our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health and well-being;
The Nature of all things; and
Our dealings with others.
We should also remind ourselves that our behavior reflects upon:
The tradition, lineage, and school of our yoga;
Our humble, healthy and virtuous yogic lifestyle; and
Our dedication to our life long practices and studies of Rahini Yoga®.
We should try to realize that to be looked upon and to be respected as a professional yoga teacher we must try to live with our highest possible standards of personal health and spiritual integrity at all times.
Section II
As Rahini Yoga® Teachers we must be aware that many of the students will look upon each of us as an educator, a guide and at times, a mentor. The students will often seek advice about their physical, emotional and spiritual development and well being. This situation evolves because the student often projects high ideals onto the yoga teacher (rightly or wrongly) whom they feel is more spiritually advanced.
Consequently, the student will reveal information about themselves they ordinarily would not do because they feel safe in the blanket of trust they have established with the teacher. They will become vulnerable. This creates an inherent power imbalance between the student and teacher. The Rahini Yoga® Teacher must not, in any way, exploit this imbalance, and try to re-empower the student in his or her own self-confidence and self-reliance. The Rahini Yoga® Teacher should strive to serve with the student’s best interest in mind by demonstrating oneness of soul, and by not allowing oneself to falsely project a “superior” attitude upon the student.
Section III
The Rahini Yoga® Teacher Tries Their Best To:
Honor and embrace their yoga tradition and school by respecting the sacredness of its teachings.
Commit to his or her personal health and spiritual development through diligent and consistent Sadhana.
Not forget that yoga is a life long process of growth and learning; is constantly evolving; and is truly a metaphor for what is called life.
To be truthful and forthcoming of their professional yoga credentials, qualifications, and experiences.
Realize that the path of the teacher is a path of truth, nobility and authenticity.
Realize that the teacher serves the student, and keeps their best interest in mind.
Not make any derogatory statements or remarks about other yoga teachers, traditions, lineages or schools.
Realize that if they want to master something they should try teach it.
Honor all the teachers who have, by their true intentions and honest actions, helped direct them towards clarity and wisdom.
Be authentic; not a fabricated self or an untrue self.
Be adaptive, tolerant and patient during unforeseen situations or circumstances.
Avoid responding to questions with fabricated answers.
Realize that the further you can take yourself the further you can take others.
Maintain a positive enthusiasm, with the intention to inspire, not perspire.
Laugh and smile; taking oneself lightly, not too seriously.
Section IV
As Rahini Yoga® Teachers you must try to realize the sacredness that exists behind every teacher and student relationship. Therefore, you, as teachers, are mainly responsible for assuring, creating and sustaining a professional and safe environment for all students. By dedicating ourselves to the following Teacher and Student Relationship guidelines we will propagate professionalism, respect, trust and a yoga that consists of the highest standards of personal and spiritual integrity.
The Teacher and Student Relationship:
All forms of sexual harassment, or misconduct, towards any student are unethical, and are considered a gross violation of the Rahini Yoga Code of Ethics. Sexual misconduct is defined as, but not limited to, any form of overt and covert seductive physical contact, gestures, acts or speech between the teacher and student.
It is the responsibility of the Rahini Yoga Teacher to conduct and maintain a professional relationship with the student.
It is the responsibility of the Senior Rahini Yoga Teacher to assure that all teacher assistants or teacher trainees maintain a professional relationship with the student.
Welcome Rahini Yoga to all students regardless of gender, religion, race, creed, cultural background, and sexual preference.
A Rahini Yoga Teacher does not degrade, demean, debase, disgrace or dishonor his or her students in any way.
A Rahini Yoga Teacher does not impose his or her will, beliefs or religious preferences on their students.
A Rahini Yoga Teacher tries not to give all the answers to the student; the teacher allows, or provides, the space for students to arrive at the answers themselves.
A Rahini Yoga Teacher does not take advantage, in any way whatsoever, of any student at any time.
Be respectful, compassionate, kind and friendly to all students and serve them unconditionally and selflessly.
Listen, and patiently serve each student to the best of your ability.
Encourage, respect and honor independent thinking and the spirit of exploration in the student, even if their opinions, beliefs or abilities are different than your own.
Find ways to inspire, motivate, praise and elevate your students to higher levels of self-confidence, faith, practice, and discipline.
Try not to impress your students. Attempting to impress others is giving in to your ego. Remember to, “let go of your e-go.” Moreover, trying to impress your students often weakens your leadership and rapport with your students.
The connection to the student is always strengthened by your connection to your genuine spiritual-self.
Occasionally the most beautiful souls will come to you either in the most unexpected ways or unlikely vessels or bodies.
Serve and seek to deliver your students, not to you and your ego, but beyond you and your ego.
Be mindful not to intentionally pass your prejudices on to your students.
Try to treat all students with fairness and openness.
The Universe has a timetable for each student; do not try to coerce a student in taking a step they might not be ready for.
Occasionally remind your student you were once a beginner. This will remind you to always remain humble and compassionate to your beginning students.
The Universe will often test or challenge you through your students. Try your best not to be swayed, dismayed, uprooted or polluted; be patient, tolerant, dedicated and truthful. Trust the process.
Section V
The Rahini Yoga® Teacher, who willingly chooses yoga as a profession, should be mindful of their attitude, behavior and conduct towards all yoga teachers, including teachers from different yoga traditions, lineages or schools. As Rahini Yoga® Teachers we lead by example and therefore, should approach all yoga teachers with openness, understanding, professionalism and a high standard of ethical behavior. By dedicating ourselves to the following Rahini Yoga® Teacher and Yoga Teacher Relationship guidelines we will propagate professionalism, respect, trust and a yoga that consists of the highest standards of personal and spiritual integrity.
The Rahini Yoga Teacher and Yoga Teacher Relationship:
All forms of sexual harassment, or misconduct, towards any yoga teacher are unethical, and are considered a gross violation of the Rahini Yoga Code of Ethics. Sexual misconduct is defined as, but not limited to, any form of overt and covert seductive physical contact, gestures, acts or speech between the teacher and teacher.
It is the responsibility of the Rahini Yoga Teacher to conduct and maintain a professional relationship with any other yoga teacher.
The Rahini Yoga Teacher should be mindful of not gossiping about any other yoga teacher, tradition, lineage or school.
The Rahini Yoga Teacher should be mindful not to criticize, denigrate or look down upon any other yoga teacher, tradition, lineage or school.
The Rahini Yoga Teacher should be mindful not to spread rumors about any other yoga teacher, tradition, lienage or school.
The Rahini Yoga Teacher should be mindful not to judge any other yoga teacher, tradition, lineage or school.
The Rahini Yoga Teacher should be mindful not to make any unfavorable comments about another style of yoga that they do not fully understand, or have limited knowledge or experience with.
The Rahini Yoga Teacher recognizes that different yoga teachers have different talents, abilities or skills. Some of these attributes may be noticeable, and some may not.
The Rahini Yoga Teacher recognizes that no one yoga teacher is more, or less, than any other yoga teacher.
The Rahini Yoga Teacher recognizes that the measurement of a good yoga teacher is not how popular they are or how large is their class size, but by their authenticity, professionalism, openness and sincere desire to help others.
Hari Om Tat Sat
© 2019. All Rights Reserved. Dean Telano.
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