Hi Everyone,
We wanted to make sure everyone knows about the new fees and licence requirement for teaching yoga in Vancouver parks. Here is a link to the CBC news article, "New fees squeeze Vancouver's outdoor fitness operators," outlining the new requirements. A decision by the Parks Board now requires yoga teachers to apply for a licence and pay a $13 hour fee to teach yoga in Vancouver parks. "The Park Board is launching its own outdoor workout programs this summer, but insisted the licences aren't meant to stifle the competition." Rather it is a decision made because the parks are being taken over by outdoor fitness programs.
I talk to lots of yoga teachers and know teaching in the park is either an option to offer free classes (like teaching a group of friends) or as an extension of their class and studio experiences. For the majority of teachers this licence and fee will mean no longer being able to offer outdoor classes. I wonder if the Parks Board knows that?
What do you think about this as a yoga teacher? What about as a practitioner?
Post your comments here and/or forward the article to yoga friends.
Look forward to hearing from you,
Simone
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
YogaBC 2009 AGM: A Newbie's Perspective
I attended my first YogaBC AGM last week, June 13, 2009. I have attended many Annual General Meetings and sort of assumed I knew how this would go - presenting of annual reports and financial statements, amending bylaws, motioning, approving, and abstaining, all combined with an anticipation of heated discussion.
Essential stuff for an organization. Interesting? That all depends.
However, as we took care of business, along the way we engaged in a few passionate discussions. As we moved to pass our first code of ethics for registered teacher members of YogaBC a conversation around its value arose. If it is not possible to enforce a code of ethics, if it cannot be enforced, is a code of ethics of any value? You can imagine the spectrum of thoughts and beliefs that came forward. Some felt this is a place to start, to open up to community for discussion in order to find a way to create an infrastructure of enforcement tools before we adopt the document. Others felt this document represents principles to live by and want to know that their colleagues are aspiring to the same standards. In signing it we agree to a shared professionalism outlined by a code. This is a point of reference document to ‘bump up against’ as issues arise. In the end, we adopted the Code of Ethics with provision for annual review.
Another issue that came up during the presentation of the program reports was around the teacher registry. To be a member of YogaBC as a teacher the minimum requirement is a practice for two or more years, graduation from a recognized 200hr teacher training program and current First Aid/CPR. There is a lot of discussion around attaining documents; for senior teachers it is difficult to attain documentation at all. Does checking all the boxes mean you are a yoga teacher? After some discussion, the point was made that there are requirements to be a YogaBC teacher member, and therefore a part of a provincial and professional association. These requirements give the Association the ability to, and are for the purposes of, moving forward the goals and interests of yoga teachers and studio owners in BC while safeguarding the public trust with education and information.
So after these two issues were presented and discussed, where there are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers, I better understood the importance of these meetings (no matter how dry they can be); they are a part of a much needed structure to house the issues that will shape the future of yoga in BC.
Thoughts? Share them here.
Thanks,Simone
However, as we took care of business, along the way we engaged in a few passionate discussions. As we moved to pass our first code of ethics for registered teacher members of YogaBC a conversation around its value arose. If it is not possible to enforce a code of ethics, if it cannot be enforced, is a code of ethics of any value? You can imagine the spectrum of thoughts and beliefs that came forward. Some felt this is a place to start, to open up to community for discussion in order to find a way to create an infrastructure of enforcement tools before we adopt the document. Others felt this document represents principles to live by and want to know that their colleagues are aspiring to the same standards. In signing it we agree to a shared professionalism outlined by a code. This is a point of reference document to ‘bump up against’ as issues arise. In the end, we adopted the Code of Ethics with provision for annual review.
Another issue that came up during the presentation of the program reports was around the teacher registry. To be a member of YogaBC as a teacher the minimum requirement is a practice for two or more years, graduation from a recognized 200hr teacher training program and current First Aid/CPR. There is a lot of discussion around attaining documents; for senior teachers it is difficult to attain documentation at all. Does checking all the boxes mean you are a yoga teacher? After some discussion, the point was made that there are requirements to be a YogaBC teacher member, and therefore a part of a provincial and professional association. These requirements give the Association the ability to, and are for the purposes of, moving forward the goals and interests of yoga teachers and studio owners in BC while safeguarding the public trust with education and information.
So after these two issues were presented and discussed, where there are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers, I better understood the importance of these meetings (no matter how dry they can be); they are a part of a much needed structure to house the issues that will shape the future of yoga in BC.
Thoughts? Share them here.
Thanks,Simone
Thursday, June 4, 2009
A Code of Ethics for Yoga Teachers
Awhile back I had a discussion with a teacher about a Code of Ethics for yoga teachers. He raised the point that there was no need to sign a Code because of his strong commitment to his yoga tradition demonstrated by daily practice and adherence to the Yamas and Niyamas which in fact provide a ‘higher code’ for him. This got me thinking, “is a code of ethics redundant for yoga teachers?”
As YogaBC, the yoga association of British Columbia, moves to adopt its first Code of Ethics the AGM, June 13th, 2009, I pondered further and realized a code of ethics is not just for teachers; but perhaps more importantly, it is for the public. A code of ethics, code of conduct, teacher registry programs – all of the stuff that makes up a professional association – is put in place for the people we serve. I would suggest that a professional association which consists of these public safety structures is even more essential for the yoga community than in many other professional communities. Yoga practitioners must take a leap of faith as they put their body, mind and spirit into the hands and intentions of their yoga teachers. In fact the number one question we get at the association from the public, “what yoga should I practice, and from whom?” let's us know the public wants some guidance and reassurance.
So I have come to think of signing a code of ethics as the least I can do as a teacher to best serve the public and allow me to share the teachings I deeply believe in. Surely this may seem one sided coming from the yoga association’s community relations manager. I would love to hear your opinions, especially those who disagree and/or can add further insight. In the meantime here is a one question anonymous poll to see what your fellow yogis think.
As YogaBC, the yoga association of British Columbia, moves to adopt its first Code of Ethics the AGM, June 13th, 2009, I pondered further and realized a code of ethics is not just for teachers; but perhaps more importantly, it is for the public. A code of ethics, code of conduct, teacher registry programs – all of the stuff that makes up a professional association – is put in place for the people we serve. I would suggest that a professional association which consists of these public safety structures is even more essential for the yoga community than in many other professional communities. Yoga practitioners must take a leap of faith as they put their body, mind and spirit into the hands and intentions of their yoga teachers. In fact the number one question we get at the association from the public, “what yoga should I practice, and from whom?” let's us know the public wants some guidance and reassurance.
So I have come to think of signing a code of ethics as the least I can do as a teacher to best serve the public and allow me to share the teachings I deeply believe in. Surely this may seem one sided coming from the yoga association’s community relations manager. I would love to hear your opinions, especially those who disagree and/or can add further insight. In the meantime here is a one question anonymous poll to see what your fellow yogis think.
Regards,
Simone
Simone Riml
Community Relations Manager
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