Shanti Yoga Teachers Association
We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean.
But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.
Mother Theresa
The Shanti Yoga Teachers Association
Shanti Yoga Teachers Association (SYTA) is an organisation founded by Shanti Gowans for Shanti Yoga students, teachers and friends, supported by Shanti Yoga, SYTA membership dues, program income and donations. We are a community of people devoted to living happier, healthier and beneficial lives. We are a powerful force for positive change by being the change we want to see. Students and practitioners are located worldwide. If not now, when? If not us, who?
SYTA consists of a community of people who have pledged themselves to following the Shanti Yoga path to enlightenment and building an enlightened society. Asking the mystical questions about the significance and potential of human consciousness, they have chosen to make Shanti Yoga the context in which they are trying to live ever more deeply imbued by wisdom and compassion.
Members have made an informal commitment, traditionally known as ‘taking refuge’ in the wisdom (buddha), teachings (dharma) and community (sangha) as the central point of their lives. SYTA is an association of individuals working towards a common goal: living peace. Shantiji welcomes all long-time Shanti Yoga students to join her in reaffirming, celebrating and deep commitment to this vision. Friends are also welcome.
We will be remembered as having received this treasury of teachings from a rare and brilliant master, and for having used them to help the people of the future by creating change now.
Objectives
• To celebrate our relationships with one another
• To strengthen our Shanti Yoga family
• To continue to do what we do best
• To change whatever needs to be changed
• To shape the future, honouring the past
Who can join
SYTA is open to anyone who is sincerely and effectively committed to the Shanti Yoga path and explore how, we can personally, communally and globally apply living peace as the basic guiding force in our lives, and to the world. With the world seemingly at crossroads, socially and environmentally, can we arouse courage and confidence to truly establish enlightened society? Members try to lead a wholehearted yogic life and bring a dharmic perspective to all aspects of their life. They are not monks or nuns. What matters is both the spiritual commitment that they have made, and the lifestyle they adopt in working towards realising a society of greater wholesomeness. They aspire to live healthy and meaningful lives, to transform the dense lead of human suffering into the gold of enlightened consciousness and assist themselves and others with wellbeing, battling debilitating illness and degenerative diseases.
Every SYTA member undertakes to practise a traditional set of 10 ethical precepts, the yamas and niyamas. These point to basic principles applied to all actions of body, speech and mind. Both genders of SYTA members are able to follow the same precepts and practise on an equal basis.
All Yoga Teachers, Teachers in training and friends of Shanti Yoga are cordially invited to apply for membership of Shanti Yoga Teachers Association, International (SYTA International) the association of professional yoga teachers.
Full membership is available to those who have successfully completed the Shanti Yoga Health Institute Diploma in Yoga Teaching Course or higher, or for those living overseas, on application to and successful examination by the Committee of Management (an examination fee is involved). It is recommended that full members of SYTA be engaged in a program of ongoing professional development that earns at least XYZ points in each 3 years of membership and maintain ongoing records for accuracy that are available, if requested.
Whether you have been teaching yoga for years or are recently certified, you will find inspiration, training, support and community with us. Reinvigorate your teaching and commitment, attend master classes, add to your teaching toolbox with workshops and courses, get re-inspired at retreat, celebrate with concerts, dancing and chanting and the SYTA annual residential get-together.
SYTA:
- takes an active role to build a better future for every Shanti Yoga teacher
- provides wide exposure
- builds trust, loyalty and deepening relationships with current and potential teachers
- provides members with great financial benefits for membership investment
- increases your profile and allows you broadcast your integrity by branding your business
- provides the option to reward your students with Shanti Yoga products and services
Student claiming benefits for yoga classes
As a result of recent changes in government legislation, health fund regulations state that all students wishing to claim benefits for yoga classes need to have a teacher who:
- Has been trained by and is a current member of a recognised Yoga Teacher Training Organisation.
- Is involved in an ongoing continuing professional development program.
- Has a current First Aid Certificate.
Shanti Yoga fee assistance
The Shanti Yoga Health Institute plays an important role in the nurturing and strength of the community and provides opportunities to expose trainees and graduates to training in skills that enrich community, communication and culture, to facilitate a solid background and experience within a meditative and contemplative tradition such as ours. In addition, the Shanti Yoga health Institute also organises social events and celebrations, assists with visiting members and teachers, and works closely with the Practice and Education team, childcare education and its graduates.
Various positions are available to members who have knowledge and experience with the Shanti Yoga tradition and teaching.
