American Yoga Council Code of Conduct

v1.0, last updated 18 September 2025

Preamble

A Code of Conduct is a difficult document to write. In theory, it sets out your responsibilities as members in good standing, and what we, as a community, expect of each other.

In practice, it’s easy for a Code of Conduct to be so generic it is of little use, and for there to be next-to-no consequences for violating it. So we’re taking a different approach, with a few specific aims in mind:

  • We want the Code of Conduct to be more adaptable to your own ethics as a teacher or school in good standing.
  • We want the public to easily be able to see a School's code in order to hold them accountable to it.
  • We want our Code of Conduct to reflect our values as an organization.
  • And we want this Code of Conduct to be a key tool in holding ourselves to account as a community.

We expect this document to evolve, with your help, and we’re excited to figure out together what real accountability might look like in yoga teaching.

The American Yoga Council Code of Conduct

1. Follow the Law

This sounds obvious, but it's also the most enforceable clause to have in a Code of Conduct. We expect AYC members to teach in accordance with all appropriate legislation in your jurisdiction when teaching yoga. We’re not going to police your practice, but if your behaviour towards your students and colleagues violates civil or criminal law, we will recommend and support legal action. Unethical behaviour of a legal nature could result in expulsion from AYC.

  • I will teach in accordance with all appropriate legislation in my jurisdiction.

2. Uphold AYC Core Values

Secondly, to be a member in good standing, we expect you to teach in accordance with the following values, which reflect the core values of AYC as an organization.

  • Following the core value of Generosity, I will share my teachings in the spirit of collaboration rather than competition, and conduct my financial dealings fairly with others.
  • Following the core value of Transparency, I will represent my yoga education, background, and the content of my teaching honestly and accurately.
  • Following the core value of Right Livelihood, I will teach to the scope of practice of my training and experience.
  • Following the core value of Embodied Relationships, I will teach with respect for the value of ethical human to human connections.

3. Creating a Personal Code

Lastly, to be an effective and ethical yoga teacher, we believe it is vital to have considered your own personal code of conduct. You might reflect on Patanjali’s yamas and niyamas, on the five Buddhist Precepts for right living, on the lay Jain code, or on any other philosophical sources. We would like you to describe that code of conduct in your own words.

  • In accordance with my own practice and understanding of yogic philosophy, I commit to teach and live by the personal code of conduct written below.

Rose Temple Yoga School Code of Conduct

Additionally, this school has established a specific code of conduct that must be upheld:

Rose Temple Yoga School
Code of Conduct
Gentle, Inclusive Yoga & Sacred Movement for Every Body

At Rose Temple Yoga School, we believe yoga is for every body. Our school is a sacred, inclusive, and compassionate space for students of all ages, body types, abilities, backgrounds, and experience levels. This Code of Conduct helps us create a safe, respectful, and supportive environment for learning, healing, movement, and spiritual connection.

1. Respect for Every Body

All students, teachers, and guests are expected to treat one another with kindness, dignity, and respect.

Rose Temple Yoga School welcomes people of all ages, sizes, abilities, mobility levels, races, cultures, spiritual paths, gender identities, and life experiences. Disrespectful language, body shaming, ageism, ableism, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, or any form of harassment will not be tolerated.

Every body belongs here.

2. Honor Your Own Body

Students are encouraged to listen to their own bodies and practice in a way that feels safe, supportive, and available to them.

There is no pressure to force a posture, keep up with others, or perform yoga in a certain way. Resting, modifying, using props, practicing from a chair, or choosing not to participate in a movement is always acceptable.

Yoga at Rose Temple Yoga School is not about perfection. It is about presence, breath, awareness, and honoring the body you have today.

3. Consent and Personal Boundaries

Consent is required in all interactions.

Teachers will not offer hands-on assists without permission. Students may decline touch, adjustments, energy work, partner activities, sharing, or participation at any time.

Personal boundaries must be respected at all times. This includes physical, emotional, spiritual, and energetic boundaries.

“No” is always honored.

4. Confidentiality and Sacred Trust

Students may share personal reflections, emotions, spiritual experiences, or life stories during classes, circles, trainings, or private sessions.

What is shared in the space should remain private and confidential unless someone gives clear permission to share their story. Gossip, judgment, or sharing another person’s private experience outside the group is not acceptable.

We honor sacred trust.

5. Inclusive and Compassionate Language

We strive to use language that is welcoming, gentle, and empowering.

Teachers and students are asked to avoid language that shames bodies, compares abilities, or suggests that one way of practicing is better than another. We do not use phrases that imply students are “bad” at yoga, “not flexible enough,” or “doing it wrong.”

Instead, we support language that invites choice, curiosity, compassion, and self-awareness.

6. Spiritual Respect

Rose Temple Yoga School may include yoga, meditation, breathwork, sacred movement, Divine Feminine teachings, Reiki, reflection, journaling, and other spiritual practices.

Students are welcome to participate in ways that align with their own beliefs and comfort level. No one is required to believe, practice, or experience spirituality in the same way.

We honor many paths and understand that each person’s spiritual journey is personal.

7. Safety and Accessibility

Students are responsible for communicating any physical limitations, injuries, health concerns, or accessibility needs that may affect their practice. Teachers will offer modifications and options whenever possible.

Students are encouraged to use props, chairs, walls, blankets, bolsters, or any support needed. Movement may be done seated, standing, lying down, or visualized when appropriate.

Rose Temple Yoga School is committed to creating classes that are accessible, trauma-informed, and supportive.

8. Emotional Safety and Trauma Awareness

Rose Temple Yoga School recognizes that yoga, breathwork, meditation, and spiritual practices may bring emotions to the surface.

Students are encouraged to move at their own pace, pause when needed, and step away from any practice that feels overwhelming. Sharing is always optional.

Teachers will hold space with compassion, but yoga classes and spiritual teachings are not a replacement for medical care, therapy, counseling, or crisis support.

9. Respectful Participation

Students are asked to arrive on time when possible, silence phones, and participate in a way that supports the peace of the group.

During class, please avoid interrupting, giving unsolicited advice, correcting other students, or comparing your practice to someone else’s. In group discussions, allow space for others to speak and share.

We practice presence, patience, and mutual support.

10. Private Sessions and Professional Boundaries

Private yoga sessions are designed around the student’s individual needs, goals, body, comfort level, and experience.

Both teacher and student are expected to maintain respectful professional boundaries. Communication should remain kind, appropriate, and focused on the purpose of the session.

Scheduling, payment, cancellation policies, and session expectations should be honored.

11. Teacher and Student Integrity

Teachers and students are expected to act with honesty, compassion, humility, and responsibility.

Teachers should teach within their training, experience, and scope of practice. Students should take responsibility for their own bodies and choices during practice.

We are all students on the path.

12. Harassment-Free Environment

Rose Temple Yoga School is committed to maintaining a safe and harassment-free environment.

Harassment may include, but is not limited to, unwanted comments, intimidation, bullying, inappropriate touch, sexual comments, discrimination, repeated boundary violations, or behavior that makes another person feel unsafe.

Anyone who violates this Code of Conduct may be asked to leave a class, session, training, event, or program.

13. Community Care

Rose Temple Yoga School is more than a yoga school. It is a sacred community rooted in compassion, accessibility, healing, and respect.

Students are encouraged to support one another with kindness, celebrate each person’s progress, and honor the courage it takes to show up exactly as you are.

We do not compete. We connect.

14. Our Shared Commitment

By participating in Rose Temple Yoga School classes, private sessions, trainings, circles, or events, students agree to help create a space where every person feels welcomed, respected, and supported.

Together, we commit to practicing yoga as a path of compassion, embodiment, healing, and sacred connection.

Closing Statement

At Rose Temple Yoga School, you do not have to be flexible, young, thin, experienced, or perfect to belong.

You are welcome here.

Come as you are.
Move as you are.
Remember your body is sacred.