In the last few years Mangrove Yoga (Yoga Association of Mangrove Mountain) and AYS (collectively referred to herein as Mangrove) have been through many challenges.  During this time of great change, the lack of a clear and transparent policy has caused uncertainty, confusion and reflection about the position of the guru relationship.

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Since its foundation more than 40 years ago, Mangrove has become a progressive centre finding the balance between a traditional Indian ashram and a modern Australian organisation.

 

Since the mid-1990s Mangrove has moved from a hierarchical organisation to a horizontal one, which has brought both openness and transparency as well as challenges to the organisation and its affiliates.

 

Recent events around the case study by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse have greatly challenged the management and residents of Mangrove and the broader Satyananda Yoga community at an individual and an organisational level. These challenges have brought a time of deep reflection and a time to reassess and re-evaluate the purpose and future of Mangrove.

 

It is also a time of great opportunity.  The need for yoga in general life is stronger than ever and changes in general attitudes towards yoga, mindfulness and spirituality have created a strong and growing demand for the services that Mangrove offers.

 

We recognise Swami Satyananda and the Saraswati lineage as a source of inspiration for Mangrove. The Satyananda Yoga tradition has been instrumental in the spread of yoga in Australia. We honour these teachings and the many benefits yoga has brought to our lives.

Our decision-making recognises that Mangrove is a modern, transparent and professional organisation that is accountable to both the broader community and the ethics and values within an Australian organisation and cultural context.

 

Acknowledging and redressing the past abuse, as well as meeting cultural, trademark, legal and VET (Vocational Education Training) requirements, have brought many organisational changes to Mangrove which now includes a mix of initiates, residents, teachers, staff and non-resident board and committee members who, with extensive community consultation, have sought to develop long term visions for YAMM, AYS and Mangrove Yoga Farm.

 

Along with the Looking Forward 2020 Strategic Plan developed for Mangrove in 2015, The Guru Policy is an important document for the community: giving all within the community the knowledge that the heart, the soul and the mission of Mangrove continues; that the challenges are being met; that the opportunities will be taken and that Mangrove will continue to serve its community and the broader general community with even greater effectiveness into the future.

As an Organisation

Mangrove Yoga’s mission continues to be:

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“Helping people to realise their potential for a happy, fulfilling life through physical, mental and spiritual transformation, by making available the knowledge and tools of yoga in a nurturing, safe and experiential environment.”

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Respect for the well-being of others and ourselves remain the foundations of the organisation.

 

Public Spaces

Our Yogic Studies and general courses offered at Mangrove pay respect to the teachings of Swami Satyananda and the Saraswati lineage while acknowledging that the teachings of yoga are universal. Our courses are offered in this spirit of universality and it is up to the individual to find their own source of inspiration.

In keeping with this, with the exception of the library, no guru pictures will be displayed in public areas.

Pictures of master teachers may be displayed in the library in the context of the teachings. All representations are to be tasteful, aesthetic, and respectful.

Other wall hanging themes that are appropriate to display include yantras, Nature, abstract representations of the yoga tradition, and deities.

 

As Individuals

We respect the right of individuals to develop their own relationship with their guru. Representations are permitted in a resident’s personal sadhana space and these are strictly for private and personal use.

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