Ending Sexual Abuse in the Yoga Community: A Conversation with Mary Taylor and Judith Hanson Lasater

Sexual misconduct in the yoga community isn't new. But the evolving #metoo and #timesup movements have brought to light the magnitude of the problem for women from all walks of life -- including within the yoga world. (Rachel Brathen collected more than 300 of them last year). It's opened an important dialogue about how to put an end to sexual misconduct and other abuses of power within the yoga community.

There are a few thoughtful yoga teachers leading the way, and I talked with two of them in this week's episode: Judith Hanson Lasater and Mary Taylor.

Judith and Mary, with AZIAM founder Alanna Zabel, shared their stories recently with <em>Yoga Journal. </em>Now, they're talking with me about what they feel should be the next steps for healing.

We talk about:

* The history of ethical standards for yoga teachers and how both Judith and Mary believe these standards should evolve in the future

* How the vocation of yoga teacher has changed through the years as yoga has become more commercial

* Why it's important for teachers to create an environment where students feel safe and empowered to say "no"

* Judith's tip for how to listen to your body to discern if something is wrong

* Practical steps yoga teachers can take to further the discussion, support students who have been victimized to share their stories, and create awareness aboutt sexual abuse in the yoga community

* Mary's perspective on what's happening in the Ashtanga community on the heels of abuse allegations against founder Pattabhi Jois

Show notes: http://jasonyoga.com/podcast/episode93/

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