Yoga Ethics

with Cynthia Bates and Victoria Austin

BKS Iyengar taught, “Dharma is about the search for enduring ethical principles, about the cultivation of right behaviour in physical, moral, mental, psychological, and spiritual dimensions.” In his teaching, asana transforms from physical exercise to spiritual transformation only from a firm ethical foundation of non-harm, truth, sublimation of sexual energy, non-stealing, and non-covetousness.

How do we manifest these virtues in our own life as students and teachers of yoga? What personal and interpersonal ethical practices support us to build an inclusive, accommodating culture that attracts and supports all in yoga? How do we build a firm ethical foundation when facing issues such as race, body image, privilege, sexuality, trauma, and spiritual materialism in the process of supporting others?

This two-hour workshop will include a short talk, discussion, Q&A on participants’ issues, and possible yoga class role play to study teacher-student dynamics. Please eat lightly at lunch and wear clothing that can be adjusted to show knees and elbows.

This class is offered as part of the Sadhana Studies program.  Drop-ins are welcome! Open to all levels.  

Tuition:

$40 per person

About the Instructors:

Cynthia Bates is an experienced Certified Iyengar Yoga teacher based in San Francisco. Her goal as a teacher is to inspire transformational experiences that lead to life change. She brings an expertise in managing back pain based on her own experience and years of helping others with back pain.

Read more about Cynthia at www.cynthiabatesyoga.net

Victoria Austin has studied yoga for over 40 years. She holds an Intermediate Senior I teaching certification and responsibility which includes teacher training and therapeutics. She is on the teacher training faculty of the Iyengar Institute of San Francisco where she teaches ethics and other topics.  Victoria offers public yoga classes at San Francisco Zen Center and the Abode of Iyengar Yoga and serves as an assessor of the next generation of Iyengar yoga teachers.

Victoria is also a Zen priest and an active Dharma teacher at the San Francisco Zen Center.

Victoria begins afresh every day, and regularly renews her training with the Iyengars in India, and Manouso Manos in San Francisco. She teaches in diverse settings, including groups for monastics, prisoners, people with disabilities, and physicians. Victoria also offers workshops in Pranayama throughout the year.