The Talk We Talk as Spiritual Teachers: Integrity or Illusion?

Yoga is often seen as a path to truth, wisdom, and integrity. We expect our spiritual teachers to embody these values, guiding students not only in asana but in ethical living. Yet, what happens when the words spoken in public do not match the behavior behind closed doors?

In this episode of The State of Yoga Podcast, we explore the talk we talk as yoga teachers—and the uncomfortable reality that many teachers and inner circles fail to walk that talk.

Jane’s Story: Seeing Beyond the Illusion

At Everyday Yoga Studio, Jane felt a deep sense of belonging. The teachers spoke eloquently about yoga’s ethical principles—the yamas and niyamas—and cultivated an environment that seemed sacred.

But when Jane was invited into the studio’s inner circle, she noticed something disturbing.

• Teachers and healers gossiped about students behind closed doors.
• Private messages from students seeking guidance were mocked and dismissed.
• Teachers who publicly preached compassion and humility displayed judgment and cruelty in private.

At first, Jane tried to justify it. Maybe they’re just human. Maybe this is how they release stress. But deep down, she knew the truth: this wasn’t harmless venting—this was a betrayal of the very teachings they claimed to embody.

The Ethical Dilemma of Spiritual Leadership

This episode introduces the first step of the Process Enneagram for Strategic Inquiry: setting intentions. Before addressing ethical challenges in yoga, we must first examine the gap between the ideals we preach and the reality we live.

Many yoga teachers—whether intentionally or not—fall into reaction formation, a psychological defense mechanism where they present an idealized version of themselves while suppressing their true thoughts and emotions.

• Publicly, they claim righteousness and purity.
• Privately, they engage in gossip, exclusion, and unethical behavior.

This isn’t to say that yoga teachers should be perfect—but can we acknowledge the contradictions instead of pretending they don’t exist?

The Guru Complex: When Power Corrupts

The story of Jane’s studio highlights a common issue in modern yoga: the guru complex—where teachers see themselves as superior, enlightened authorities rather than as fellow seekers.

The guru complex often manifests as:

✔ Judgment and superiority – Viewing students and other teachers as beneath them.
✔ Exclusivity and inner circles – Creating hierarchies that reward blind loyalty and punish dissent.
✔ Disconnection from humility – Forgetting that wisdom requires acknowledging our own flaws.

This dynamic erodes trust and integrity in yoga communities, making it difficult for students and teachers alike to call out unethical behavior without fear of retaliation.

The Price of Silence: Complicity or Courage?

Jane’s discomfort grew as she continued witnessing the hypocrisy within her yoga community. She faced a difficult question:

"If I stay silent, am I complicit?"

When she finally spoke up—gently questioning the ethics of sharing private messages—she was immediately dismissed:

"It isn’t gossip if you’re just seeking empathy for yourself."

This moment highlights the self-justification that allows unethical behavior to persist. The message was clear: challenging the system was not welcome.

Can Yoga Communities Self-Correct?

This episode asks an important question: Can yoga communities develop a process for ethical accountability?

✔ If yoga is truly about integrity, why do we tolerate gossip and manipulation?
✔ If yoga is about unity, why do we accept exclusionary inner circles?
✔ If yoga is about humility, why do we allow unchecked power dynamics?

Many studio owners and program directors resist the idea of community-led accountability, fearing it would threaten their control. But without transparency and ethical oversight, yoga communities become toxic breeding grounds for hypocrisy and harm.

A Call for Ethical Leadership in Yoga

Yoga teachers and studio owners must be willing to look in the mirror and ask:

• Are we truly living the teachings, or just performing them?
• Do we hold ourselves accountable, or only others?
• Are we building ethical communities, or simply maintaining power structures?

The State of Yoga Podcast aims to foster this conversation, not to attack individuals, but to create space for real change. If we want yoga to remain a wisdom tradition rather than a business of power and profit, we must be willing to talk the talk AND walk the walk.