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Pregnancy guidelines
from BKSIYTA (UK) Handbook
The Teachers' Association has recently become concerned about the way some teachers holding Iyengar certificates have been teaching Yoga asanas to pregnant women, and publishing 'Iyengar-type' material for their guidance. This has been done without the advice of Mr. Iyengar or of the Teachers' Association.
Mr. Iyengar has now been consulted about this, and has replied as follows:
Regarding your enquiries, junior teachers should not take risks with two lives If a person who is in the eighth month of pregnancy and who has not done any Yoga before, comes to a class I may not accept such a student at all, except on specific problems which may affect the would-be mother's health. If I do, then even I with all my knowledge will have to think hard how to help such a person, by looking into her constitution and inner life. I think many inexperienced teachers in the West want to jump to fame by exploiting and taking advantage of such situations.
To handle medical cases and pregnancy requires special training and experience. Merely possessing a certificate does not mean that one is entitled to teach special cases. New teachers and those with elementary certificates should as far as possible teach basic asanas to those of normal health and help them to become stronger by the practice of those asanas. When students come with medical problems or are pregnant, then the advice of senior teachers should be sought.
My daughter Geeta has a medical degree, full training in anatomy and physiology, and has been trained by me for many years; even so, she still consults me in all pregnancy and medical cases. In pregnancy, even the placing of a person into correct positions varies according to requirement. Therefore senior teachers who have seen our work here and who know the problems must be worried if inexperienced teachers in the West take on work for which they have no training and for which they are not suited.
Many who have learnt from me for a few days go back and make claims as teachers. I cannot stop that, but those who hold a certificate should be cautious as my name is involved in the certificate. Even for their own sakes as well as for their pupils' sakes, they should be cautious. From the States a person came for a month to attend general classes in Puna and then started teaching a pupil who had glaucoma. He asked me for guidance and I point blank said no, but that he should consult some senior teachers who could see the pupil, or send him to those who had seen me helping such a case. The man replied, 'The patient enjoys it and so whether you guide or not, I go ahead.' Because there are people like that, people's health is endangered, and my name and the name of Yoga may be ruined.
I do say that in any case, if by chance a pregnant woman expresses her desire to learn Yoga or to continue with previous learning, senior teachers should be approached and their guidance taken; if they cannot help, then they can approach me or Geeta giving the history and constitution of the person, rather than risking, as I have said before, two lives. In the ILEA also, I would prefer that a junior teacher takes the advice of experienced teachers, and reports back to them after classes and seeks further guidance. I have already recommended this. [end of letter]
The Teachers' Association feels that Mr. Iyengar's advice must be heeded. We certainly hope that our Yoga training will make parents and their babies stronger and healthier. In general however, our certificates do not entitle teachers to give specialist advice for pregnancies and medical problems, although some senior teachers may be able to deal with some such cases as they have maintained contact with Mr. Iyengar and the work is being carried on in Puna, through their visits as well as by communications.
(c) http://www.iyoga.com.au
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