Power Differential
What is it? And why does it matter in politics?
I’m reposting this from a Facebook post I wrote on November 19th, 2024. When I posted it, the spotlight of sexual harassment was on the Indiana Statehouse. In the comments, some people felt that I was targeting certain individuals. I was not. This is a post about a subject: power differential. I can’t help it if it reminds you of anyone.
I didn’t really understand what “power differential” was until I went through Yoga Teacher Training. The prohibition of romantic or sexual relationships between yoga teachers and their students is explicitly laid out in the Yoga Alliance’s Code of Conduct. But it was my (amazing) teacher, Marsha, who really helped me understand why.
She explained that as yoga teachers, there are people who will look up to us. When we take on the important role of holding space for others—without knowing what may be going on in their lives—it’s possible for people to become attached or to put us on a pedestal. When I heard this, I thought, no way. At the time, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to teach yoga at all, and it was hard to believe someone could look up to me in that way.
It didn’t take long after I started teaching to understand what Marsha was talking about. Most people who come to my classes are just cool. Some of my best friends attend, and I’ve made dear friends through teaching. But occasionally, I notice when a student, through words or actions, starts to put me on a pedestal. It’s an uncomfortable feeling.
Understanding and being aware of potential power differentials helps me take steps to prevent them. My focus is on creating safe spaces where everyone is equal—equal to me and to each other. Sometimes I jokingly call this “knocking myself off the pedestal.” For me, that just means keeping it real. I act like a human before and after class—not some untouchable spiritual being. I make fun of myself when it’s natural. But most importantly, I start by cultivating spaces where everyone feels safe and respected.
This might sound like common sense—or maybe it doesn’t. It is nuanced. Not everyone feels compelled to create safe spaces. For example, I worked with someone in the yoga community who seemed more focused on cultivating a personality than serving others. I later learned they were having an affair with one of their students. What bothered me most wasn’t just the relationship, but how they allowed their lover to look up to them as a teacher, to serve them, to practically worship them. Needless to say, I couldn’t get away fast enough.
Interestingly, the Yoga Alliance Code of Conduct acknowledges that relationships between teachers and students might form—and they might even be great, healthy relationships. But when that happens, the teacher should encourage the student to find another teacher for their spiritual practices.
The first step to addressing power differentials—whether in a yoga class, the office, or the Statehouse—is understanding what they are. Simply holding more power than another person doesn’t automatically create a power differential. For example, many of my dear friends are political leaders. I encourage them to stand in their power—the power of their voice, their presence, their self-sovereignty. But as far as our friendship goes? We are equals. I wouldn’t be friends with anyone who didn’t treat me that way or encourage me to stand in my power, too. This is what’s known as being in “power with” each other. It’s a beautiful thing.