Teaching Yoga: Exploring the Teacher-Student Relationship

This book is so out of date! Some of the recommendation cross the line to illegal now that HIPPA exists. The author needs to research and release a new edition or stop selling. This book on ethics is actually unethical. The sad thing is this book is a mandatory reference in many yoga teacher trainings-as was mine. An entire generation of yoga teachers out there asking students for a list of the medical problems and medications...and not trained in how to safeguard that information or understanding that if they ask they now bear a certain burden of responsibility. I could go on and on. My own yoga school knew nothing other than this book. She gets 2 stars for calling out the industry and holding them accountable for sexual predators and requiring permission before touching someone.

This book is a knowledge-packed and thought-provoking guide for yoga instructors. I found it to be a very suitable material for my teaching journey, as it reminded me of subtle elements of teaching which are easily overlooked but which make a major difference in the experience of both student and teacher, and in the yoga practice in general.Great use of personal anecdote and colleague experiences throughout the text, which provides relatable examples and illustrations of the concepts. Another strength of the text is that it weaves in questions for the reader to consider, prompting further engagement with the text and therefore stronger retention and likelihood of applying the principles in the yoga classroom. The book also does a good job of balancing spiritual and practical elements, which are both critical to a wholistic yoga practice. Would also be useful to planners of yoga training workshops, meditative or yogic retreats, and similar events.

Having read 2 of Donna's books already, I've come to deeply appreciate her frank & professional writing style - and this book is no exception. Donna addresses the complex reality of the student-teacher relationships & the lack of stable/established regulations in the Yoga industry. This book was published in 2006 and, sadly, I think we still haven't made much progress in that area.Back to the book! Donna firmly established the need for professionalism on the part of Yoga teachers & reinforces how much power we have to help or harm our students. Mainly geared toward Yoga teachers, I find this book to be quite useful for Yoga students as well, giving them an inside view on what Yoga teachers experience. Even if I hadn't taken a Yoga teacher training program, as a Yoga student of 12 years, I found this book extremely useful from the student angle as well.After a wide overview, Donna delves into the myriad of ethical issues Yoga teachers face on a regular basis, including money, class numbers, certifications, communication with students, boundaries, appropriate wardrobe, & much much more. Last but not least, she also includes some sample ethical situations at the end of the book, giving you an opportunity to brainstorm how to handle these (possible) issues before they present themselves in your own career (& hopefully they never do!).Being a Yoga teacher is a big responsibility on many levels, and Donna's book expressed that beautifully. The book also gives teachers an informed perspective & a useful reference for making sound, ethical decisions through the entirely of their teaching career. This is another one of those books that will have a life-long place on my shelf, re-reading it every so often to reconnect with the complexity (and joy) of being a Yoga teacher.P.S. I have not yet listened to the CD included with this book, but I've heard from other Yoga teachers that the CD alone is worth buying the book. Since I've already found the book to be wonderfully useful, I am looking forward to hearing the CD :)

I had to read this for my yoga teacher training and can't believe I was required to spend money on this! Circular points were made in the book, and it didn't need to be a thick book. Her examples seem to show a lack of good judgment on her part. The cd of her talk is low audio quality as well. This could have been a pamphlet entitled, "teach what you know, don't be prideful, and don't get romantically involved with your students." Boom, saved you some $$$!!!

Great book

Still reading it, but it is already apparent that this is a very good book that should be read by all.

Helpful in yoga teacher training

Great book if you are looking for exploring and learning more about the Teacher-Student relationships. This book is helpful to learn about the Dos and Don'ts. Donna Farhi is very honest about her experience; thereby, giving you great examples to learn from!

I didn't like this book though I've read several by Farhi and identified with them and liked them enough to buy more. In this case though the author is set up as a kind of Icon, plagued by demanding or even neurotic students demanding time and emotional commitment from the teacher. She doesn't seem to like her students. There is really very little said about the positive side of the teacher / student interaction and it is all about how it is draining, demanding and the teacher needs to protect her/ himself. I really think the author let herself down.

This is the best book I have read on the subject of teaching yoga. It touches upon very important topics in the profession, specifically ethical and moral ones, and gives very wise, experienced advice. It talks about the most challenging aspects of being a yoga teacher, which most training courses won't even mention let alone cover in detail. The book has deepened my skills and understanding, and has taught me what I could have never learned in a class or a workshop.

A must-read if you are doing your teacher training or if you are already a yoga teacher.

This is a must for all yoga teachers and student yoga teachers. Donna Farhi covers most ethical probabilities in the yoga class situation and gives realistic solutions. For me, the section on enmeshment was especially insightful and useful. The approach is intelligent and the CD that accompanies the book is interesting and informative. Highly recommended.

Excellent