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.

Sojourn School of Yoga Code of Conduct

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

Sojourn School of Yoga
Organizational Code of Conduct

For Students & Faculty
At Sojourn School of Yoga, we believe that meaningful learning happens when people feel safe, respected, challenged, and supported. This Code of Conduct establishes the shared standards that help cultivate an environment where every participant can learn, teach, and grow with integrity.
All students, faculty, assistants, guest teachers, and staff participating in Sojourn School of Yoga programs agree to uphold the following expectations.
1. Practice Respect
Treat every member of our community with kindness, dignity, and respect.
We welcome diverse identities, backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, and perspectives. Disagreement is natural and encouraged when approached with curiosity, humility, and respect.
Harassment, discrimination, bullying, intimidation, or hateful conduct will not be tolerated.
2. Honor Personal Agency & Consent
Yoga invites us into relationship with ourselves and one another. Every person has the right to determine what feels appropriate for their own body and experience.
Students and faculty agree to:
Always obtain consent before offering physical touch or adjustments.
Respect personal boundaries without question or judgment.
Honor "no" as a complete answer.
Recognize that every body, nervous system, and life experience is different.
3. Maintain Professional Integrity
Faculty, assistants, and students are expected to conduct themselves professionally throughout the training.
This includes:
Acting honestly and ethically.
Representing qualifications truthfully.
Avoiding plagiarism or misrepresentation of work.
Maintaining appropriate professional boundaries.
Communicating respectfully during disagreements.
4. Protect Confidentiality
Teacher training often involves personal reflection and meaningful conversation.
Participants agree to treat stories, emotions, and personal experiences shared within the training as confidential unless explicit permission has been given to share them elsewhere.
Confidentiality helps create a learning environment built upon trust.
5. Participate Fully
Learning is a collaborative process.
Students are expected to:
Arrive on time whenever possible.
Participate fully in discussions, practices, and assignments.
Communicate proactively if illness or emergencies affect attendance.
Take responsibility for completing required coursework.
Faculty are expected to prepare thoughtfully, teach responsibly, and model professionalism.
6. Foster an Inclusive Learning Environment
Every participant deserves to feel welcomed and valued.
We strive to create spaces where people of every race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, body size, ability, religion, socioeconomic background, and level of experience can participate fully.
Language and behavior that excludes, demeans, or marginalizes others is inconsistent with our values.
7. Prioritize Safety
Students and faculty agree to practice responsibly.
This includes:
Respecting personal physical limitations.
Practicing within individual capacity.
Communicating injuries or health concerns when appropriate.
Supporting a culture where asking for modifications is encouraged.
Teaching demonstrations should prioritize student safety over aesthetic performance.
8. Resolve Conflict with Integrity
Conflict is a natural part of any learning community.
When concerns arise, participants are encouraged to:
Communicate directly and respectfully whenever appropriate.
Seek understanding before making assumptions.
Involve faculty or program leadership if resolution cannot be reached independently.
9. Digital & Social Media Conduct
Participants are welcome to celebrate their training experience publicly while remaining mindful of others' privacy.
Please:
Respect confidentiality of personal stories shared during training.
Communicate online with the same professionalism expected in person.
10. Academic Honesty
Certification reflects genuine learning and participation.
Students are expected to complete assignments honestly and independently unless collaboration has been specifically invited.
Any falsification of attendance, coursework, or teaching demonstrations may result in disciplinary action.
11. Accountability
Failure to uphold this Code of Conduct may result in one or more of the following:
Conversation and coaching
Written warning
Behavioral agreement
Removal from specific activities
Dismissal from the training without refund when necessary to protect the safety or integrity of the learning environment
Our Shared Commitment
Yoga is not simply something we study..it is something we practice in relationship.
This Code of Conduct is intended not as a list of rules, but as an invitation to cultivate integrity, compassion, accountability, and respect as we learn together.
At the beginning of each teacher training, participants will also collaboratively create Community Agreements unique to that cohort. Those agreements complement this organizational Code of Conduct and help shape the culture of the learning community.
By participating in a Sojourn School of Yoga training, all students, faculty, assistants, and staff agree to uphold the principles outlined in this Code of Conduct.