Consent Cards and Why We Use Them
If the past 18 months have taught us anything, it's that our personal space is sacred. While many of us have been itching to fill the gap that social distancing left with hugs and human contact, it's important to remember that for some folks, letting others into their sacred personal space is a decision that they do not take lightly— even before the pandemic.
Our goal at The Aura House is and has always been to create a safe space where people from every walk of life can come to rest, heal, and reconnect with themselves and the world around them. That goal is embodied in everything from the pillars on which The Aura House was founded, to the way we interact when you walk through our doors. That’s why we use consent cards.
Consent cards are a way for our instructors to make sure that they are not invading your space in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe. Some people love hands-on assists and encouragements in class, and some don’t. By using the consent cards, your preference is kept private, known only by you and the instructor. They allow you to continually reassess how you’re feeling over the course of your practice, and to keep the instructor informed without having to deal with the pressure of saying it out loud in front of your peers or fear of offending the instructor. They require no defence or explanation, and are there so that you can fully unwind in your practice.
The green side welcomes the instructor into your space for gentle hands-on assists and encouragements, and the yellow side asks them to allow you to work through your practice on your own. You can change from one side to the other at any point during the practice if you feel called – free of fear and judgement. Consent cards are another way that we’re able to reinforce our policy that you have full authority over your own body. You don’t have to do anything that doesn’t feel good— including allowing others into your sacred space.
If you have questions regarding Consent Cards or our ‘You Are the Authority of Your Body’ Policy, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re here to help you unfold and unwind, unashamed, and unbound.
