About YTC
The Yoga Therapy Collective (YTC) is a new way for yoga therapists to organise themselves professionally.
We are envisioning a yoga therapy collective of yoga therapists through a sangha which at its core sees, hears and supports the valuable work of yoga therapy.
We aim to step out of the current system, to no longer have to mis-shape ourselves into any yoga regulation. The system currently offers little space and support but extracts money and keeps us boxed into processes and protocols.
We do not seek to de-professionalise yoga therapy, but to create a more values based or 'yogic' way of encouraging yoga therapists, which places love above fear. We experience the current Yoga industry as limiting, if somewhat toxic and we know that we are not alone in this experience.
We are calling other yoga therapists and schools who have so much to offer, to join us. We know that you are also supporting your students and clients to think, move and feel with discernment and freedom. We must be grounded and coherent in a professional system that reflects values of truth, love, integrity and community. We wish to take back control and build a system we are proud of.
We wish to support the work of yoga therapists and yoga therapy in the UK. We understand therapy to be different to teaching. We make a distinction between yoga therapy and yoga teaching. Yoga therapy emphasises the holding of a space, allowing for what arises and unfolds between therapist and client(s) to be the phenomena we work with to bring about healing, growth and transformation.
We have birthed a yoga therapy collective that understands the unique role of yoga therapy and we would like to invite other schools to be part of this professional circle.
How might it be different to other yoga professional bodies?
We are seeking to prioritize values rather than profit and a 'yogic' way of accountability and practice in the profession of yoga therapy. We have spent some time together reflecting on what those values are. See our living values framework.
We aim to create a truly holistic way of working together rather than remaining alone, unseen and unheard, within a rigid system.
Our structure is safe and supported rather than regulatory. Good practice, recognition and accountability is based on living the ethical framework through open committed relationships between groups of peers. Through our depth of care for each other, we seek open-hearted dialogue and communication with one another.
We do not intend to position ourselves as a governing body, our structure is horizontal and multi-centred, rather than vertical and regulatory.
We recognise that there will be elders and those with more experience and wisdom who might want to provide leadership and initiative. We currently operate as a circle of elders who hold responsibility and vision. This circle is the hub of the wheel and at the same time is fluid, so open to persons coming and going.
We aim to organise in a non- hierarchal way, so without an executive committee or board of directors. The effort we put in is equal, shared and the power is distributed.
What we define yoga therapy to be:
- Process orientated
- Relational
- Reflective
- Holistic
we understand that Yoga therapy is not
- Condition specific
- Protocol based
- Goal orientated
- A feel good therapy
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