Update – Letter from Interim Committee to Anusara Teachers on Mediating Process
by YD on February 12, 2012
in News
This is a follow up letter posted by the Interim Committee via a closed group on facebook for Certified and Inspired Anusara Yoga teachers offering an update on their mediating process.
Read their first address to Anusara teachers, along with John Friend’s second letter here. The committee’s members have since shifted with Noah Maze’s resignation. This letter reflects the disapproval of many in the larger community and the move of multiple teachers to distance themselves from the still John Friend-helmed Anusara Yoga.
Letter to the community, Feb 11, 2012
Today, February 11th, the members of the interim committee held a 3-hour mediated conversation with John Friend. Our only topic of discussion was the advisability of continuing with his upcoming scheduled events in Miami.
Many differing views were expressed among the participants. We conveyed to John the sentiments that we had heard from the larger community. We discussed many possible solutions to the situation. We noted the many logistical considerations of changing or even canceling such a large event at this late notice.
Ultimately, we voted unanimously to recommend that John not teach the Dharma of Relationship intensive, and that he invite a scholar to teach a philosophy workshop with a different topic, to be determined.
The committee was split around the decision of whether John should teach the asana sections of the first workshop, the Advanced Intensive, and the weekend workshop. John made the decision to teach the asana in these events. However, John said he would organize co-teaching with some of the certified teachers already present in the group, to be determined.
We know this will not be a popular decision for everyone, but we ask for your support and trust as we walk cautiously into the future. We also want to remind the community that we are strictly acting in an advisory capacity without having been granted any authority, either by you the community, or by the principle owner of Anusara, Inc., John Friend.
Please note that the members of the Interim Committee have changed.
Sincerely, (names alphabetical by first name)
Andrew Rivin
Betsey Downing
Deb Neubauer
Denise Benitez
Desiree Rumbaugh
Ellen Saltonstall
Jimmy Bernaert
Martin Kirk
Suzie Hurley
Todd Norian
——
Earlier…
- Update: More Anusara Teacher Reactions; Noah Maze, Bernadette Birney and Others Continue Wave of Resignations
- Anusara Teachers Speak: Responses from Desiree Rumbaugh, Ross Rayburn and Christina Sell
- Second John Friend Letter to Anusara Teachers: Assume Forgiveness, Resume Business As Usual; Letter from Interim Committee Reflects Discord
- Anusara’s John Friend Responds to Accusations in First Public Interview
- Letter From John Friend to Anusara Yoga Teachers
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Update: More Anusara Teacher Reactions; Noah Maze, Bernadette Birney and Others Continue Wave of Resignations
by YD on February 12, 2012
in News
Amidst the allegations, the apologies, the assumptions and awkwardness of business as usual, Anusara teachers are finding their voice and many are speaking out to express their disappointment, sadness and, for some of these teachers, their resignation. Noah Maze, Bernadette Birney, and others follow the early departures of Christina Sell, Elena Brower, Darren Rhodes, Amy Ippoliti who resigned a few months ago before the sexual misconduct or accusations of corruption came to light. (It should be noted the latter three teachers have not explicitly indicated events mentioned in recent accusations as reasons for leaving).
We are grateful for the honesty and courage of these teachers and support their freedom to make these tough choices for themselves.
Full letters below.
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Anusara Teachers Speak: Responses from Desiree Rumbaugh, Ross Rayburn and Christina Sell
by YD on February 11, 2012
in News
The first two letters from high-ranking Anusara Yoga teachers Desiree Rumbaugh and Ross Rayburn were posted to a closed facebook group for Certified and Inspired Anusara Teachers Only created last Friday to provide a space for conversation over the upsetting accusations and revelations about Anusara founder and leader John Friend. Thanks to BayShakti.com for sharing them.
The third response is from Christina Sell who recently resigned and handed in her Anusara certificate. She shares further insight into her decision to leave the brand she was a part of for 12 years, and her own experience with confronting John on subjects “ranging from ethics, legalities, loyalties, teaching methods, personal accountability, public image, branding, boundaries, organizational politics and so forth.”
We appreciate the words and perspectives of these teachers closely involved, and hope that many more in the community are moved to voice their thoughts, opinions and personal experiences.
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Second John Friend Letter to Anusara Teachers: Assume Forgiveness, Resume Business As Usual; Letter from Interim Committee Reflects Discord
by YD on February 11, 2012
in News
Yet another letter has been emailed to the Anusara community of teachers from their leader John Friend, late Friday afternoon. It has already been posted several places online and is confirmed to be authentic. This time, with apologies out of the way, there is barely a recognition of wrong doings or accountability, but rather a shift in gears to what sounds like moving on with business as usual, with everyone’s “love and forgiveness.”
John Friend states that he will not retreat, but continue his public appearances and teaching engagements as normal, though he reveals that the new Anusara will be more teacher-driven and less of a John Friend show; an interim team of 12 teachers, which he has assembled himself, will begin the process by establishing a new Ethics Committee and a Leadership Committee.
This is the ‘What now?’ While therapy is mentioned, and seems like a good way to go, it acts more like a bandaid on the gaping wounds apparent within the organization and John Friend’s character. John Friend expects everyone’s love, forgiveness and patience, moving forward with business as usual. He preaches transparency, yet offers little.
Healing and moving on are great ideas and everyone wants that. But, we have to ask ourselves, if this were any other public figure in a corporation (not to mention one banking on spirituality) facing this series of serious allegations of misuse of power and corruption, would we find this acceptable and be so quick to forgive and move on? Now that information is out there, we sincerely hope the Anusara community can look beyond any tethers to blind devotion, or fears of being ostracized as a “betrayer” in order to do what they deem to be the right steps toward clarity and rehabilitation. We will continue to bring you information as it surfaces.
UPDATE: Continue reading for the first correspondence from the Interim Committee to Anusara teachers with more details about the “collaborative spirit” of the committee going forward.
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YD Giveaway: Get in the Flow, Be Happy, Win Whatever Your Heart’s Delight from PrAna
Are you happy? If you’re not quite sure of the answer, maybe we can help! As some of you know, there’s a great big day of hearts and hugs and love upon us. No, not just Valentine’s Day. World Happy Day! We didn’t make it up.
‘Nightline’ Takes On Yoga, Sex and Yogasms with Author William J. Broad and NYC Yoga Teacher Marco Rojas
Sex and yoga. These two go wayyyy back. And they have moved way forward together as well. ABC Nightline News takes a look at yoga/sex connection today and that elusive ‘Sex and the City’ coined “yogasm” (just before Valentine’s Day, how apro-pose!). With willing and able teacher Marco Rojas and science from William J. Broad’s new book The Science of Yoga: The Risks and the Rewards Dan Harris and the ABC News team get down to business.
Anusara’s John Friend Responds to Accusations in First Public Interview
Finally, we are handed the words from John Friend’s mouth (or computer) via Elephant Journal. We appreciate EJ’s approach in asking some of the tough, yet painfully and glaringly obvious questions we’ve been waiting to hear answers to, though this ends up being primarily about Mr. Friend’s sexual relations.
for its contents. This is a safe-cache copy of the original web site.