“Abortion and gay rights are the two biggest issues that will surface in this next election… we need to get up on our feet and respond.”
Should yoga teachers be advising their students on how to vote?
Tias Little & Chelsea Roff discuss the notion that yoga teachers should take an active stance on political issues. This video was recorded at the 2011 Yoga Journal Conference in Estes Park.
Tias Little is co-director of Prajna Yoga in Santa Fe, NM and leads yoga intensives both nationally and internationally. He is trained in Iyengar and Ashtanga vinyasa yoga and his perspective clearly reflects the Buddha’s teachings. Tias earned a Masters degree in Eastern Philosophy from St. John’s College. For more information on Tias’ work, please visit: www.Prajnayoga.net.
As a long-time Yoga teacher, I feel I have no right to be political in Yoga class. Not as a teacher, and not as a student. I am not there to teach/learn politics. I teach the Yamas and the Niyamas; I teach asana, I teach meditation. Of course I have opinions. If asked, I often tell. But I don't discuss politics in class, period. I am not there to teach people what to do except as it relates to their practice … and yes, I guess I could say it's ALL about the practice, everything. Nevertheless, I am quiet politically in the face of the storms, which are growing stronger and more violent every day. I would like to represent the "still small voice" of each person's inner reason, conscience and values, not push my own views.
I’m sorry I strongly disagree with this. People come to yoga for many reasons, and as teachers we are in the position to give the best guidance we can. I believe strongly in the issues mentioned above but I do not believe it is my duty as a yoga teacher to inflict any of my opinions on my students so directly. As teachers our role is to share our knowledge of yoga, not to try to influence their opinions in any particular way, whether we agree with them ourselves or not. Teaching in a multi-cultural context though maybe means my opinion may be different to that of others.
this is pretty cool
I actually found his responses very confused. There's a lot that needs to be thought through here. But it's great that more of a conversation is starting.
My view would be that politics should NOT be discussed in class. That is a time out; a time to step away from everyday life. I could definitely see a place for voluntary teach-ins and discussions that are separate from but linked to classes, however (say, in studios). Some yoga teachers and students will be drawn to this, others not, which is OK.
Personally, I would like to see much more political engagement, learning, and discussion in the yoga community – just not in the particular context of classes, retreats, meditation sessions, etc.
I have always taught yoga as spiritual activism. Some yoga teachers may say that they are not interested in politics, but the truth is we can't help but to be political. The word political means the community. Whatever we do affects everyone in the politic–or greater community. No one of us lives in a bubble. What is realized in the yogic state of enlightenment is the Oneness of being. The obstacle to that realization is seeing others as separate from you. So actually the practice of yoga does help one to be political in the true sense of the word–to care about the community.
Simply think that if you don't know about Yoga and on the other hand I know a little bit about yoga than I can simply show you what little I know. We will do this by sharing our knowledge and if simple that if you know more about yoga than you are also a yoga teacher. When we give training for Yoga Teachers at our place than it’s totally with complete focus on you without any type of disturbance and daily distractions. If you are deeply interested in yoga than this is a great way to learn how to become a Yoga teacher.