Rojas claims that the rift with Pure management began as a result of his urging them to run their retreats, schedule, and business in a manner more in alignment with yogic values. “Management thought I was difficult,” he says. “Managers are not yoga practioners.” Pure claims that the departure was mutual and that “what led us to this moment is much less interesting than where we go from here.”

The day he was let go Rojas was called into the office 45 minutes before his class to discuss “communication” issues. There, he was unceremoniously fired and escorted out the back door. This abrupt departure suggests that it wasn’t exactly a mutual decision. It’s also the most upsetting part of the situation for Rojas who had no time to speak with his students or say good-bye. Rojas since been able to reach out to his students via Facebook stating, “I did not agree to leave you. I did not make that decision." He is also encouraging students to let compassion guide them and is reminding them that they still have yoga and should continue evolving rather than getting caught up in petty details.

This situation brings up many questions for us as practitioners of yoga. As students we can choose not to support studios that seem concerned with profit above all else. Teachers could also make this choice, but taking such a strong stand against a studio may mean the difference between supporting yourself as a yoga teacher and having at least one other job.

In an ideal world, every yoga studio would exemplify the values and ethics of yoga. The current reality is that most studios are run like any other business, and at some point they must consider the bottom line. While it is admirable and understandable that a yoga teacher would prefer to teach at a studio that exemplified yogic principles, most people don’t expect to keep their job if they constantly clash with management at their place of work.

So we have another thin, grey line to traverse.  At what point do we decide we cannot support a studio anymore, either as a teacher or a student? As yoga teachers, how can we stand up for what we believe in without losing our jobs? There are no easy answers when a practice meant to speed the road to enlightenment is blossoming in a capitalist culture.

What is an appropriate way for teachers to handle a situation where they disagree with their studio's business practices?