Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there two membership prices for individual teachers?
Those teachers who graduated from a Teacher Training school that is a member of Tantra Alliance receive a special discounted price on both their application registration fee and their annual membership fee. The reason for this is that Tantra Alliance has reviewed and approved all the documents submitted by those Teacher Training schools in order for them to become members. As such, we can be confident that they are training their graduates in alignment with our ethos and professional values.
Can I join Tantra Alliance if I am a teacher/facilitator/healer who does not necessarily teach Tantra but conducts tantric bodywork, breath work, sound healing etc... classes?
No. We may open our membership to other conscious practices/facilitators but for now, only Tantra schools and teachers are eligible for membership.
I do Tantric bodywork sessions with clients, why am I unable to join Tantra Alliance?
For now, Tantra Alliance is not including practitioners who do one-on-one body work with clients as eligible for membership. The Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexology may be a good fit for you.
What are the necessary documents I need to have and submit in order for my application to be approved? How do I submit them?
Please refer to the documentation checklist provided under the application process. Prior to submitting your membership application, use the checklist provided to make sure you have submitted all of the required documents along with your application form. This will ensure your application is reviewed, processed and approved in a timely manner.
What will Tantra Alliance do with the documents submitted?
Tantra Alliance will thoroughly review all documents submitted. We may provide feedback on ways in which your documents (processes, policies etc...) could be amended to ensure they are more aligned with the ethos and values of Tantra Alliance. The documents you submit will be held with the utmost privacy and confidentiality.
What if I want to cancel my membership?
You can cancel your membership at any time. If you have already paid the registration fee for the year, however, no refund will be provided. If you are thinking about no longer being a valued member of Tantra Alliance, we would love to hear from you first. We very much value feedback from our members and would love to see if there is anything we can do to help you or resolve the reason you want to leave our community. Otherwise, if you want to cancel your membership then it is advised that when your membership renewal reminder is issued, follow the process for not renewing it.
What are the benefits of joining Tantra Alliance?
Why am I asked to provide a Code of Ethics?
Tantra Alliance asks all schools and individual teacher members to not only submit their Code of Ethics with their Tantra Alliance application registration but to also publish it on your website so that it is easily accessible for future participants.
The intention of a Code of Ethics is to guide practitioners and professionals to help you conduct your facilitating and teaching with honesty and integrity. Establishing a Code of Ethics for your work makes your facilitating philosophy explicit. It also helps future students/participants to choose the right course and teacher for them.
Tantra Alliance asks for a Code of Ethics for the following reasons:
What if I don’t have a code of ethics?
You can use the sample one provided. We would encourage you to think about creating your own or at least adapting the sample one. Establishing your own Code of Ethics encourages you to think about what you do, how you do it and why you do it. It is also a good way for participants to choose the school and teacher that most resonates with them.
What should be included in my code of ethics?
Your teaching philosophy. Your ethics and values around facilitating.
Boundaries and how you create and maintain a safe container for participants.
Your tantric philosophy.
What about if I breach Tantra Alliance’s Code of Conduct?
You will not automatically lose your membership. We will offer you support and assistance to change those behaviours which caused a breach in the Code of Conduct.
How will Tantra Alliance help me if there is a complaint against me? Do you mediate if there are issues that arise?
Tantra Alliance does not conduct mediation sessions but we can direct you to those who can help. We will assist members to find the right professionals, organisations and systems best suited to your individual needs should a complaint or any issues against you arise.
What if I don’t want to participate in mediation as I don’t think I have done anything wrong? Will I lose my membership?
We will review each case individually but if a member blatantly refuses to undertake mediation or listen to the complaints of the aggrieved participant then their membership to Tantra Alliance may be reassessed and/or terminated.
Tantra Alliance encourages our members to be self-reflective practitioners who are committed to continual improvement and best practice. An essential element to this is taking accountability for the impact of our actions/words, regardless to if the message received was not the message intended. We encourage teachers to take seriously the complaints or grievances of participants.
Although the mediation process can be emotionally draining, there are great benefits to both parties. Mediation provides a safe space for those who feel aggrieved to be heard. It also provides an opportunity for the facilitator to develop a deeper understanding of the consequences of their actions/teaching on participants.
Why do I need to complete annual professional development in order to maintain my membership?
Many industries require members to undertake professional development (usually a certain number of hours within a certain timeframe). This ensures that professionals remain up to date within their field of expertise. For example, teachers, doctors, lawyers, mental health practitioners (psychologist, psychiatrists, counsellors, social workers), physiotherapists etc... must all undertake continued professional development in order to maintain their professional registration so they can keep working/providing services to clients.
Professional Development is a terrific way to upskill yourself so that your facilitation will continue to grow, evolve and improve. Taking classes to see the way in which other people facilitate - their communication, space-holding, participant interaction, exercises and so on… - is invaluable.
Moreover, it is important (and a key value of Tantra Alliance) for teachers to be aware of current research in the field, particularly on topics such as Trauma. Many participants are coming to the field of Tantra looking for healing from past traumas so it is becoming more essential that teachers/facilitators have some knowledge or understanding of how trauma works both neurologically and physiologically.
What are some examples of Professional Development I could undertake?
* Peer mentoring/coaching/support
* Attending other Tantra workshops to observe/participate
* Professional reading which supports your work. For example, reading on topics such as tantra, trauma, facilitating, power dynamics etc...
* Conferences or seminars on relevant topics
* Completing other courses or attaining qualifications
How will Tantra Alliance know if I have or haven't completed my annual professional development?
Each year when you renew your membership, you will be asked to complete a Professional Development template and submit any supporting documentation. Throughout the year, record the classes in which you participate, any professional reading you have completed and Tantra Alliance meetings you have attended.
Do you offer trainings or professional development to your members?
Not at this stage. We offer members the opportunity to participant in our community/member meetings where you can choose to be part of the conversation about the evolution of Tantra as a professional field. We will continue to post relevant research and information relating to Tantra on our Professional Readings page.
Those teachers who graduated from a Teacher Training school that is a member of Tantra Alliance receive a special discounted price on both their application registration fee and their annual membership fee. The reason for this is that Tantra Alliance has reviewed and approved all the documents submitted by those Teacher Training schools in order for them to become members. As such, we can be confident that they are training their graduates in alignment with our ethos and professional values.
Can I join Tantra Alliance if I am a teacher/facilitator/healer who does not necessarily teach Tantra but conducts tantric bodywork, breath work, sound healing etc... classes?
No. We may open our membership to other conscious practices/facilitators but for now, only Tantra schools and teachers are eligible for membership.
I do Tantric bodywork sessions with clients, why am I unable to join Tantra Alliance?
For now, Tantra Alliance is not including practitioners who do one-on-one body work with clients as eligible for membership. The Association of Somatic and Integrative Sexology may be a good fit for you.
What are the necessary documents I need to have and submit in order for my application to be approved? How do I submit them?
Please refer to the documentation checklist provided under the application process. Prior to submitting your membership application, use the checklist provided to make sure you have submitted all of the required documents along with your application form. This will ensure your application is reviewed, processed and approved in a timely manner.
What will Tantra Alliance do with the documents submitted?
Tantra Alliance will thoroughly review all documents submitted. We may provide feedback on ways in which your documents (processes, policies etc...) could be amended to ensure they are more aligned with the ethos and values of Tantra Alliance. The documents you submit will be held with the utmost privacy and confidentiality.
What if I want to cancel my membership?
You can cancel your membership at any time. If you have already paid the registration fee for the year, however, no refund will be provided. If you are thinking about no longer being a valued member of Tantra Alliance, we would love to hear from you first. We very much value feedback from our members and would love to see if there is anything we can do to help you or resolve the reason you want to leave our community. Otherwise, if you want to cancel your membership then it is advised that when your membership renewal reminder is issued, follow the process for not renewing it.
What are the benefits of joining Tantra Alliance?
- The name of your school and website will be published on the Tantra Alliance website - this will mean that future participants will see that you are a member of Tantra Alliance and as such, adhere to our public Code of Conduct.
- Tantra Alliance will thoroughly review your documents and policies. We will provide any necessary guidance/feedback for you to become aligned with our ethos.
- You are able to use the Tantra Alliance logo on your marketing material.
- Join Tantra Alliance Online Meetings and join the Online Community Private Group. Be a part of the conversation about the evolution of Tantra as a professional field.
- You will be informed about Professional Development activities organised by Tantra Alliance.
- You will have the support of Tantra Alliance should any issues arise with your participants or teachers. We will help you to find the professionals and systems which best suit your individual situation.
- Potential customers will be able to see and read your biography on the Tantra Alliance website.
Why am I asked to provide a Code of Ethics?
Tantra Alliance asks all schools and individual teacher members to not only submit their Code of Ethics with their Tantra Alliance application registration but to also publish it on your website so that it is easily accessible for future participants.
The intention of a Code of Ethics is to guide practitioners and professionals to help you conduct your facilitating and teaching with honesty and integrity. Establishing a Code of Ethics for your work makes your facilitating philosophy explicit. It also helps future students/participants to choose the right course and teacher for them.
Tantra Alliance asks for a Code of Ethics for the following reasons:
- In this field, participants come to courses with past trauma and aims of healing so it is important that teachers have clear, explicit and established boundaries/ethics which guide their conduct and workshops.
- During energy work and heart opening exercises, participants are vulnerable so it is important that teachers are aware not to take advantage of those vulnerabilities and create a safe container.
- To show understanding of the power dynamic that occurs between teachers and students.
What if I don’t have a code of ethics?
You can use the sample one provided. We would encourage you to think about creating your own or at least adapting the sample one. Establishing your own Code of Ethics encourages you to think about what you do, how you do it and why you do it. It is also a good way for participants to choose the school and teacher that most resonates with them.
What should be included in my code of ethics?
Your teaching philosophy. Your ethics and values around facilitating.
Boundaries and how you create and maintain a safe container for participants.
Your tantric philosophy.
What about if I breach Tantra Alliance’s Code of Conduct?
You will not automatically lose your membership. We will offer you support and assistance to change those behaviours which caused a breach in the Code of Conduct.
How will Tantra Alliance help me if there is a complaint against me? Do you mediate if there are issues that arise?
Tantra Alliance does not conduct mediation sessions but we can direct you to those who can help. We will assist members to find the right professionals, organisations and systems best suited to your individual needs should a complaint or any issues against you arise.
What if I don’t want to participate in mediation as I don’t think I have done anything wrong? Will I lose my membership?
We will review each case individually but if a member blatantly refuses to undertake mediation or listen to the complaints of the aggrieved participant then their membership to Tantra Alliance may be reassessed and/or terminated.
Tantra Alliance encourages our members to be self-reflective practitioners who are committed to continual improvement and best practice. An essential element to this is taking accountability for the impact of our actions/words, regardless to if the message received was not the message intended. We encourage teachers to take seriously the complaints or grievances of participants.
Although the mediation process can be emotionally draining, there are great benefits to both parties. Mediation provides a safe space for those who feel aggrieved to be heard. It also provides an opportunity for the facilitator to develop a deeper understanding of the consequences of their actions/teaching on participants.
Why do I need to complete annual professional development in order to maintain my membership?
Many industries require members to undertake professional development (usually a certain number of hours within a certain timeframe). This ensures that professionals remain up to date within their field of expertise. For example, teachers, doctors, lawyers, mental health practitioners (psychologist, psychiatrists, counsellors, social workers), physiotherapists etc... must all undertake continued professional development in order to maintain their professional registration so they can keep working/providing services to clients.
Professional Development is a terrific way to upskill yourself so that your facilitation will continue to grow, evolve and improve. Taking classes to see the way in which other people facilitate - their communication, space-holding, participant interaction, exercises and so on… - is invaluable.
Moreover, it is important (and a key value of Tantra Alliance) for teachers to be aware of current research in the field, particularly on topics such as Trauma. Many participants are coming to the field of Tantra looking for healing from past traumas so it is becoming more essential that teachers/facilitators have some knowledge or understanding of how trauma works both neurologically and physiologically.
What are some examples of Professional Development I could undertake?
* Peer mentoring/coaching/support
* Attending other Tantra workshops to observe/participate
* Professional reading which supports your work. For example, reading on topics such as tantra, trauma, facilitating, power dynamics etc...
* Conferences or seminars on relevant topics
* Completing other courses or attaining qualifications
How will Tantra Alliance know if I have or haven't completed my annual professional development?
Each year when you renew your membership, you will be asked to complete a Professional Development template and submit any supporting documentation. Throughout the year, record the classes in which you participate, any professional reading you have completed and Tantra Alliance meetings you have attended.
Do you offer trainings or professional development to your members?
Not at this stage. We offer members the opportunity to participant in our community/member meetings where you can choose to be part of the conversation about the evolution of Tantra as a professional field. We will continue to post relevant research and information relating to Tantra on our Professional Readings page.
