About the Yoga Teachers Fellowship

The Yoga Teachers Fellowship (YTF) is an autonomous non-profit organization (No. 029 725 NPO) dedicated to promoting the principles of yoga and supporting the professional and spiritual development of yoga teachers across Southern Africa.

We embrace and respect all individual teaching styles, fostering conscious harmony, inclusivity and peace within our community.

 

Our Roots

Yoga came to South Africa in the 1940’s when the Divine Life Society of Swami Sivananda was established in Durban. This led to many Swami’s travelling from India to visit our shores. At the time South Africa was in the grip of apartheid and the Indian government forbade its citizens from travelling to our country making such visits particularly difficult. Likewise, South African passport holders were barred from entering India. ​

Despite these travel restrictions, Swami’s continued to visit. Individual South Africans such as Maurice Krok, Roma Blair, Joyce Stuart and Kavi Yogiraj Swarananda Mani Finger were equally undeterred from travelling abroad to learn yoga and on their return relayed these newfound teachings to their students.  It was these pioneers, both local and abroad that were foundational to Yoga in South Africa

In the 1970’s Kavi Yogiraj Swarananda Mani Finger collaborated with a few of his South African peers and several prominent gurus including Swami Venkatesananda, Swami Nishraisanada  and Tantric Master Bharat, to create a forum to “Bring together teachers and students whose passion is Yoga” . The forum sought to promote the principles of Yoga and to coordinate the policies, attitudes and interests of those concerned with the development and teaching of Yoga in Southern Africa.

“Fellowship” is a community of like-minded individuals, sharing and safeguarding knowledge,
inspiration, upliftment and love with personal maturity and respect for all disciplines and styles of Yoga.

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Our Mission

We serve the yoga community by:

  • Maintaining a register of qualified yoga teachers and trainees

  • Listing yoga studios and schools nationwide

  • Promoting national and international yoga events, retreats, and workshops

  • Supporting continuing education through articles and resources

  • Encouraging connection and communication among students, teachers, and schools

  • Partnering in promoting and upholding the principles of Yoga in an ever growing community of like minded people, interested in Yoga.
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Code of Conduct / Integrity Pledge

Our commitment to ethical practice is guided by:

  • The Yamas and Niyamas of traditional yoga

  • Professional and respectful conduct at all times

  • Providing safe, clean, and supportive spaces for practice

  • Embracing diversity and respecting each student’s individuality

  • Preserving the dignity and privacy of all students

  • Teaching with awareness of each student’s physical and emotional capacity

  • Abiding by South African laws and ethical business standards

*Adapted from the International Yoga Federation, this code reflects the high standards we uphold as a community of yoga professionals.

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Member Benefits

By joining the YTF, members gain:

  • Recognition as a certified yoga teacher

  • Listing in our teacher and studio directories

  • Support and guidance through direct communication

  • Monthly newsletters with insights and opportunities

  • Opportunities to publish and share your knowledge

  • A supportive network of like-minded yoga professionals