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.

Beloved Yoga & Wellness Code of Conduct

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

Creating a Safe Space for Us All

Relationships among Teachers, Students and Staff*

As yoga teachers, we share an ethical concern for the integrity and welfare of our teachers, students and colleagues. The seat of the teacher comes with great ethical responsibility.The relationship of student and teacher is one of trust, and must be acknowledged and honored at all times. We encourage each teacher to seek out and engage in collegial relationships with assistants, students and colleagues that strengthen our sangha.

It violates ethical boundaries for a teacher to have a romantic or sexual relationship with a student and at the same time teach that student. Through disclosure, Beloved Yoga can offer guidance to create the necessary boundaries between you and the individual. In some cases, it will be necessary to remove the teacher from the situation. This will allow the studio to assist the teacher in maintaining ethical conduct. In all situations, it is the teacher that bears the responsibility for maintaining ethical boundaries in the relationship.
● All relationships must be maintained on a professional basis and confidentiality must be respected.
● We recognize our influential position as teachers of yoga and avoid exploiting others’ trust and dependency.
● All forms of sexual misconduct or harassment by teachers, students and staff are unethical. The issue of consent is not relevant.
● Teachers, staff, and students must not engage in sexual relationships with children, adolescents, and unemancipated minors.
● If you intend to enter a relationship of a romantic or sexual nature with another fellow teacher, student or staff at Beloved Yoga, we require that you share this information with the studio owner or studio manager. Teachers in a sexual or romantic relationship with another teacher will not teach together.
● Teachers at Beloved Yoga should not teach students where there is a romantic or sexual interest that may be acted upon. Adjustments to teaching relationships are necessary prior to, or simultaneously, such as when an interest or a relationship is developing.
● If any of these situations arise, we will discuss options that honor the teacher, student, staff and Beloved Yoga.

*This covers all visitors to all those who attend events, workshops, concerts, teacher trainings and other related special events sponsored by Beloved Yoga (in-person or online).

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances; requests for sexual favors; other verbal, physical, written (includes electronic communication) conduct of a sexual or ambiguous nature, such as sexual joking, comments, or innuendos, stereotyping, sexually suggestive objects or pictures, graffiti, pranks, touching and other such conduct. We must assume that all such conduct is unwelcome, placing the teacher, staff, and Beloved Yoga at risk, and as inconsistent with the Yamas and Niyamas within the context of practicing yoga. Such conduct, even if not intended to be offensive, may create a sense of insecurity, lack of safety, or fear in some, and is therefore not appropriate in the environment we all want to create and preserve at Beloved Yoga. We are wholly dedicated to providing a safe sanctuary for all at Beloved Yoga.

These behaviors may also be viewed as unlawful, either individually or if part of a pattern. We must all recognize that yoga teachers are trusted by students, and this relationship of trust may heighten the standards by which a situation may be judged in the community, including under the law. In addition, Yoga Alliance has a strict policy prohibiting sexual harassment of any kind, which includes examples of conduct to be avoided.

Individuals who believe they have been harassed, or are concerned about potentially harassing conduct must report it, and their questions or concerns about such conduct, to the studio owner or studio manager. Similarly, any person/teacher/student/staff who witnesses an act of sexual harassment or potentially harassing conduct, or has personal knowledge of such an act is urged to report this to the studio owner or studio manager. All staff, teachers, and students have the responsibility to take action to prevent any type of harassment of teachers, students, staff or visitors and to report any inappropriate actions or concerns about potentially harassing conduct to the studio owner or studio manager.

If the individual who wants to make a report is not comfortable communicating with either the studio owner maryam@belovedyoga.com or studio manager stephanie@belovedyoga.com, may contact Heather Hagaman, Director of Trauma heather@belovedyoga.com or Joelle Van Over at Joelle@belovedyoga.com Private Sangha Manager & Lead School Teacher.

Teachers, Staff, Students are encouraged to report any forms of misconduct and harassment from visitors, guest teachers, and anyone presenting or attending special events at Beloved Yoga or sponsored by Beloved Yoga. There will be no negative repercussions for concerns expressed. Complaints and concerns will be handled as confidentially as possible, promptly, fairly, and when reasonably required, investigated fully. Conduct found to be in violation of this policy will not be permitted. Retaliation against individuals who report incidents of misconduct will not be tolerated. Violations of 5 this policy may result in corrective action up to and including termination of any relationship with Beloved Yoga. Please note that Yoga Alliance also enforces its Code of Ethics, and investigates any allegation of harassment.

Although these guidelines apply to sexual harassment, Beloved Yoga also applies these guidelines to any form of harassment or discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, or family status. Any such form of misconduct undermines the integrity of our sangha and also violates Yoga Alliance policies.