12d (edited) • General discussion
Sunday Discussion
Sharing this article because it opens a nuanced and necessary conversation in our field....
Yoga is a powerful psycho-emotional practice. It can regulate the nervous system, and it can also surface emotions or memories people don’t always expect. That isn’t inherently negative: it’s simply the nature of mind–body work.
I’m not taking a position on this particular case, but I am interested in the bigger question it raises:
How do we balance teacher responsibility with participant agency, especially when practices are intentionally designed to access the emotional body?
From my own experience, over a decade of practicing, teaching and learning from my body... I’ve become more sensitive to how essential grounding and integration truly are. Deepening my practice and holding space for others has shown me how much can rise when we slow down, feel, and breathe.
My teachers always reminded us that these practices are subtle, but highly effective. And historically, yoga was taught one-on-one for a reason...meditation, pranayama and lineage-based practices often required a teacher who understood the student’s emotional and energetic capacity. Modern group classes are new in comparison.
This isn’t about gatekeeping. It’s about honesty.
Even something as gentle as Yoga Nidra is widely used for nervous system support, is most impactful when guided by someone trained to hold the space safely. Of course, accessible online versions have value, but individualized support exists for a reason.
This whole space is complex, layered, and evolving.
I’d love to hear your insights on this? What learnings have you experienced over the years teaching?
Open dialogue only strengthens our community and the integrity of these practices!
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