the pillars of my wheel: a manifesto on Yoga, ethics, and education

from the Sutras to liberating education: upholding a Yoga of soul, purpose, and social justice

(Re)affirming values is a way of shedding light on what makes our wheel turn.

To begin with, I consider myself a Yoga Educator.

Why not an instructor? That term reflects an “asana-centric” approach, dating back to when Yoga began to be integrated into the fitness scene and its boom in the ‘70s and ‘80s.

The scope of my work is broader.

I see Yoga as something much greater than an exercise or a fitness modality, but rather as a technology that relies on practices and theories to facilitate the transformation of life, body, and mind. Yoga isn’t just practice, it’s also philosophy, with a vast theoretical foundation. I teach both. My teachers passed this knowledge on to me through a generous, loving, and patient education (adhyayanam). And thanks to them, I can also be a messenger of this traditional and spiritual wisdom, originating from the Indian Subcontinent.

In this craft, besides teaching practical and philosophical classes, I also train teachers, work with students individually by adapting knowledge and tools to their own unique reality, and I mentor other teachers. For all of this, I have a well-defined ethos.

I carry out my craft with the integrity of the ethical principles of the Sutras and am guided by the defense of the inalienable rights to dignity, equality, and social justice. I believe in building a just and peaceful global society, in ecological integrity, inspired by the cosmogony of the original Andean peoples which values the decommodification of life, the harmonious relationship between human beings, community, and nature, where there is no domination, exploitation, or destruction of one by another, but rather a dialogue of knowledges. Above all, I uphold a liberating and loving education that embraces critical thinking and sees each student’s reality.

In the end, these are the values that make my wheel turn. My goal, through Yoga, is not for you to adopt mine, but for you to find the clarity and courage to discover what, truly, makes your wheel turn.

Building clarity about what moves us is not an event, but a process that requires a method. And a truly effective method cannot be generic; it needs to be as unique as your own life.

This is why the sadhana I offer is individualized guidance. The process is designed to mold to you, not the other way around.

We begin with an in-depth analysis of your current state, from your routine, mood, and health to your goals. Based on this understanding, I design a tailor-made practice, exclusively yours, created to bring more clarity, consistency, and vitality to your daily life. We validate it together in a live session, and afterward, you receive all the tools to practice with autonomy.

This is not a static plan, but a dynamic support system. After a few weeks, we meet again to recalibrate the practice, ensuring it continues to nourish and support your journey in a relevant way, bringing more autonomy and grounding to your choices.

If you are looking for this level of personalized guidance, I would be happy to share more information for us to take the first step together. Just send me a message or reply to this email.

Warmly,

Vivian