By Lori Gaspar with generous contributions by Rebecca Stiles
“[Pattabhi] Jois’s abuses remained hidden for so long in part because of his overwhelming authority as a guru, which may reflect a larger problem within the culture of yoga. In traditional yogic practice, a guru is a mediator—a translator of sorts—through whom a set of teachings is passed down. Devotion to the guru is meant to symbolize devotion to the teachings, not to the man. But in the Western context gurus become rock stars, and students compete to curry favor with them. This gives gurus significant influence over their students, which is sometimes misused. “ ~ Eliza Griswold, New Yorker magazine, July 23, 2019
In general, the yoga community is filled with supportive, loving people on a spiritual path to transformation. Many wonderful friendships have been formed among yoga students and teachers. But just as in other spiritual communities, there are yoga teachers and yoga leaders who harm and abuse vulnerable students who are seeking healing and safety. I have both witnessed and had students confide in me about predatory teachers who take advantage of their power. There are many well-documented accounts of high-profile yoga leaders who have caused great harm. In recent years, thanks to the support of the #metoo movement, more and more information is being revealed by victims. The more we know, the less likely we are to become a victim ourselves or become complicit in a yoga culture that enables these types of events to happen.
WHAT IS ABUSE?
Abuse happens when someone exerts power over others to control, intimidate, manipulate or violate. It is often brought on when there is an imbalance of power in the relationship, such as the relationship between a yoga teacher and a yoga student. Abuse comes in many forms; sexual, verbal, physical and financial. It can be quite glaring, as when a prominent traveling yoga teacher verbally abused a student in a crowded workshop because she wasn’t performing shoulder stand exactly as he wanted. Abuse of power can also be subtle, as when a yoga school requires student teachers-in-training to do work for the studio for free as part of their certification.
Sexual abuse is defined as the infliction of sexual contact upon a person without their consent; engaging in sexual contact with a person who is incapable of giving consent because of age, mental or physical incapacity as well as where there is some aspect of personal power or authority that makes sexual behavior inappropriate such as the relationship between teacher and student. Examples can be when a teacher touches a student inappropriately in a yoga class under the guise of a yoga adjustment, or a sexual act between a teacher and a student (either willingly or unwillingly).
Sexual harassment is behavior characterized by the making of unwelcome and inappropriate sexual remarks or physical advances. It can take the form of (but is not limited to) requests for sexual favors, innuendo, jokes, sexual looks or gestures; unwanted touching, emails, letters, or phone calls.
Verbal abuse is the act of forcefully criticizing, insulting, or denouncing another person. It includes any non-physical behavior used to control, bully or manipulate others. Can take the form of name-calling; using words to shame someone; making jokes at others’ expense; frequent criticism; yelling, screaming, swearing or making threats at you. Verbal abuse can hack away at the person’s self-esteem and cause trauma, just like physical or sexual abuse.
Physical abuse is any intentional act causing injury, pain or impairment to another person by way of bodily contact. This includes a teacher slapping, kicking, or using excessive force on a student.
Financial abuse involves intentionally manipulating, intimidating, or threatening someone in order to acquire the victim’s financial resources. The abuse may be intended to entrap the victim in a relationship or to benefit the teacher or studio owner at the unfair expense of the victim. This includes requesting that students work for the studio for free with nothing of value given in return (not the same as work-study where students work for free classes). It can take the form of extraordinary pressure to purchase expensive programs or invest in the business; pressure to recruit others into expensive training courses; or pressure to become involved in multi-level marketing programs.
WARNING SIGNS
Abuse in all its forms can be anywhere, and unfortunately, it can be so much a part of a yoga sub-culture that we have difficulty spotting it. It often starts in small ways with a “nice” or charismatic teacher testing students with extra attention. This lowers the student’s guard. Grooming is the process of establishing an emotional connection or trust with victims in order to lower their resistance to abuse. The abuser’s charisma is a power they use to groom victims. And while the behavior may appear consensual, true consent is not possible when a power differential exists—such as that found in the teacher-student relationship.
Yoga traditionally has been taught based on a top-down model; the teacher is seen as the guru and the student is the disciple. The guru-disciple relationship often includes elements such as lineage, initiation, devotion, service, and surrender and many contemporary yoga teachers have carried those elements into teaching modern yoga. A certain amount of hierarchy can be natural, as those with more information wield more power than those with less information. It is when this power differential is exploited that abuse can occur.
In the formation of a spiritual community, even if they weren't corrupt to begin with, a “guru” can become corrupted by the power of their position and the unconditional devotion of their disciples. The term guru literally means to “remove darkness” suggesting that the teacher shines a light on knowledge. A true guru is humble, open, transparent and generous with their wisdom.
PREVENTING ABUSE: Identifying a Healthy Yoga Community and Avoiding a Potentially Harmful One
How can we recognize if our yoga community offers a healthy learning environment that discourages abuse? How can we identify issues that should spark concern? The following is a chart which identifies characteristics of a yoga culture that promotes student empowerment versus one that may make a student vulnerable to potential abuse. At the bottom are red flags - these are glaring signs that something is not right.
WHAT CAN WE DO?
Things we can do as students to protect ourselves
- Avoid putting a teacher on a pedestal. Teachers are imperfect as we all are. A wise saying is, “Revere the yoga teachings, not the yoga teacher.”
- Seek out mentors and teachers who empower you; those that challenge you and lift your spirit.
- Trust yourself. Never assume a teacher knows more than you.
- Always be prepared to speak up for yourself and to say no if you feel an activity or commitment crosses a line.
Things we can do as teachers to protect our students
- Emphasize inquiry, curiosity and self-discovery over achievement and conforming to the rules.
- Remind students that there is not one “right” way to do yoga and be open to offering techniques from a variety of yoga methods. Yoga is a state of mind, not a shape of the body.
- Use your language to empower students to honor their limits and teach them to listen to their inner signals. Support students’ autonomy and offer praise when they respect their limits.
- Avoid jokes that have sexual undertones, are flirty, or suggestive. Diffuse discussions or jokes from students that may be sexual in nature. A light-hearted “this class is G rated” comment will often work. The teacher sets the tone for what is acceptable language in class.
- Be humble and open to learning from others, including your own students. Share new things you have learned and acknowledge who you learned it from. Admit when you are wrong and don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know.” This communicates to the student that you are still learning and discourages them from putting you on a pedestal.
- Take time regularly to reflect on the culture you are creating in your class. See the green flags listed in the prior chart to help you develop a healthy classroom environment.
- If a studio you teach at does not have a teachers code of conduct or sexual harassment policy, request one.
- Do not ignore, hide or cover up questionable activities or behaviors you witness.
- If a student reports something to you, take it seriously. See next section.
What to do if you have been abused or have witnessed abuse
- Sexual assault is a crime. If you have been assaulted, call 911 or the local police department. Seek help from someone you trust. Visit a medical center. Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected to a trained staff member from a local sexual assault service provider in your area.
- If you have been abused, report the abuse to the teacher’s supervisor and/or the owner of the yoga school. If the school is involved in the abuse, enlist the aid of a neutral third party. Do not keep the abuse secret. There are people willing and able to help you.
- Respond to survivors of abuse with sensitivity and timeliness. Avoid victim shaming/blaming. Ask what the survivor wants and needs.
- Appreciate whistleblowers for exposing information about abusive activity.
- Report any abuse you have witnessed.
RESOURCES
https://www.rainn.org
https://www.nsvrc.org
https://www.trynova.org/who-we-are/
Yoga Alliance Sexual Assault and Criminal Conduct Procedure
https://www.yogaalliance.org/About_Us/Policies/Sexual_Assault_and_Criminal_Conduct_Procedure
ARTICLES
https://theyogalunchbox.co.nz/a-compehrensive-list-of-yoga-scandals-involving-gurus-sex-and-other-inappropriate-behaviour/
http://www.joyfulheartfoundation.org/6-steps-to-support-a-survivor
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/out-the-darkness/201904/the-guru-syndrome
https://yogainternational.com/article/view/how-to-respond-to-sexual-abuse-within-a-yoga-or-spiritual-community
http://garykissiah.com/general/lets-clean-up-our-yoga-community-now-take-a-stand-stop-the-crap/
https://bigthink.com/21st-century-spirituality/the-end-of-the-guru
BOOKS
https://www.amazon.com/Practice-All-Coming-Dynamics-Healing/dp/0473472074
https://www.amazon.com/Guru-Papers-Masks-Authoritarian-Power/dp/1883319005