Ethical Matters for Yoga Nidra Professional Training Course taught by Julie Lusk
- On successful completion, identify yourself as a Yoga Nidra Certified Teacher, Level 1 (or 2) not as a therapist unless licensed to do so. Level 1 certification qualifies you to provide yoga nidra for overall health and stress relief in group/private settings. Level 2 certified teachers can provide yoga nidra in synch with the objectives of the training.
- Yoga nidra is not a replacement or treatment for proper medical care. It can be used to reduce symptoms, side effects, and help with one’s ability to cope with stress and other issues. Do not guarantee results. Do not diagnose or describe yoga nidra as therapeutic. Only those specifically trained and licensed to provide therapeutics can do so. Board approval may be required in accordance with one’s profession. Make appropriate referrals to professionals as needed.
- Stay within your scope of practice. Do not work in areas you are not equipped, trained, or licensed to handle. For example, for physical, mental, or emotional conditions, specific suggestions for immune system, past life, inner child, trauma (PTS), etc. You are not permitted to train others to provide yoga nidra.
- Do not copy, sell, or distribute the scripts (with or without payment) without the publisher’s written permission. This includes electronically (audio/download/video, etc.) or in written form on paper or otherwise. If individuals wish to utilize scripts, refer them to relevant books, etc. Many scripts are professionally available on audio.
- You may copy and distribute handouts from the training with proper credit given.
- Scripts can be used in classes and with clients. You may record the scripts for your personal, noncommercial use. Always credit your sources fully and accurately with appropriate names and references.
- Maintain confidentiality. Provide accessibility, inclusion, and fairness. Be accountable and accurate. Practice quality business practices. Observe all applicable state or other local jurisdiction laws related to providing services.
- Always put the healing and growth of others first. Provide a safe environment. Do not, overtly or covertly, force people to participate in anything that may be uncomfortable for them. Emphasize that participants are in full control. Advise they can change or stop the Yoga Nidra process, open their eyes, and stretch anytime to return to their alert rational conscious mind at any time. Give permission to change anything that seems threatening to something that feels right or make use of an inner resource or personal sanctuary. In another vein, clients may want to explore what feels uncomfortable to them in the safety of the experience.
- Be certain that participants are fully awake and alert after a Yoga Nidra session and before going about their activities. Have them do some stretches and engage their senses afterwards, otherwise, it could lead to danger. For example, there are stories of people having trouble driving afterwards. One person went right through a stop sign after class. Others have gotten lost on their way home. Another was pulled over for driving too slowly.
- Advise participants that it is not safe to practice meditation or visualization while driving or operating machinery.
- Maintain professional boundaries. Avoid any relationships that could exploit the trust of clients/students. Obtain prior consent to use ethical touch, as appropriate. Avoid dual relationships and favoritism. Avoid romantic, intimate, or sexual relationships with teachers, students, clients, and trainees.
- Remember and utilize the Yamas and Niyamas, the social and personal tenets of Yoga. The Yamas are Ahimsa – reverence for all life; Satya – truthfulness; Asteya – integrity; Brahmacarya – moderation; and Aparigraha – nonattachment, lack of self-indulgence. The Niyamas are Shauca – purity and cleanliness; Santosha – contentment; Tapas – -discipline; Svadhyaya – Self-understanding; and Ishvara-Pranidhana – devotion to the divine. “Your will, not mine.” Refer to Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras for clarification.
I understand and agree to provide yoga nidra honestly, ethically and with integrity. ____Yes _____ No
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JulieLusk.com
Updated: Feb 27, 2022
