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.

Integral Yoga Code of Conduct

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

Integral Yoga® Teachers Code of Conduct

Section 1: Statement of Purpose

The Integral Yoga Teachers Council is committed to and holds high ethical and professional standards for all Integral Yoga teachers. It is the responsibility of Integral Yoga teachers to ensure a safe and supportive environment for imparting the teachings and for the wellbeing of the students. The Integral Yoga Teacher Code of Conduct provides clear guidelines for teachers so that the highest integrity is maintained at all times in the teacher-student relationship.

Section 2: Principles
Integral Yoga teachers agree to uphold the following ethical principles:
1. To create and maintain a safe, clean and conducive environment for the practice of Integral Yoga.
2. To conduct themselves in a professional and conscientious manner, maintaining appropriate relationship boundaries.
3. To use respectful language free from profanity, prejudice, insults, abusive language or verbal threats.
4. To avoid words and actions that constitute sexual or other forms of harassment.
5. To acknowledge the limitations of their skills and scope of practice and, when appropriate, refer students to seek alternative instruction or guidance.
6. To welcome all students regardless of race, religion, beliefs, gender, sexual orientation, age, or cultural background.
7. To welcome students regardless of physical limitations unless a student is beyond their ability to teach safely, and in such instances to try to refer them to a qualified teacher.
8. To cultivate an attitude of Karma Yoga (selfless service) in their teaching and dedicate their teaching to the highest good of all concerned.
9. To adhere to the traditional Yoga principles as defined in yama and niyama, the ethical foundation of Yoga as presented in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
10. To dress modestly when they are teaching an Integral Yoga class or giving a talk on Yoga.
11. To do their best to follow a vegetarian diet and refrain from any substances that are contrary to a yogic lifestyle.
12. To follow all local, state and national laws that pertain to their Integral Yoga teaching and businesses.

Section 3: Professional Practices
In all professional matters, Integral Yoga teachers agree to conduct themselves in a manner that is ethical, appropriate and respectful of all concerned.

1. Integral Yoga teachers use their knowledge and professional associations for the benefit of the people they serve and not to secure unfair personal advantage.
2. Fees, financial arrangements and all contractual matters are discussed at the outset and established in a straightforward, professional manner.
3. Integral Yoga teachers neither receive nor pay a commission for the referral of a student.
4. Integral Yoga teachers do not speak ill of colleagues or other professionals.

Section 4: Student Relationships

It is the responsibility of Integral Yoga teachers to respect the rights, dignity and privacy of their students.

1. Integral Yoga teachers recognize the trust placed in and the unique power of the teacher-student relationship. They do not exploit that trust in any way or try to cultivate dependency of students. They avoid dual relationships with students (e.g., business or sexual relationships) that could impair their professional judgment, compromise the integrity of their instruction.
2. Integral Yoga teachers do not engage in harassment, or abusive words or actions.
3. Integral Yoga teachers do not engage in sexual harassment as defined as, but not limited to: comments, gestures, or physical contact of a sexual nature. Behavior, comments or humor that is offensive to anyone because of its sexual content or reference to gender or sexual orientation is unacceptable.
4. Integral Yoga teachers recognize that their teaching may lead to physical contact with students, such as adjusting them in asanas, and exercise the utmost care. Touch is used only with students’ consent and with their wellbeing in mind, and free of any personal motive.

Section 5: Reporting and Resolution Process

Integral Yoga is committed to providing an environment that is free from inappropriate behavior or harassment of any kind. The complaint and grievance process provides that complaints be promptly and impartially investigated in a compassionate and professional manner.

The reporting process may be initiated by anyone. If any inappropriate behavior or harassment is verified in the investigation, prompt and effective action will be taken to remedy the situation. The complainant will be assured that an environment free from harassment has been restored and that there will be no retaliation of any kind toward anyone who participated in the investigation.

If a student feels that he or she has been subjected to, or has witnessed inappropriate behavior by an Integral Yoga teacher, that student should notify the local center (Integral Yoga Institute, Integral Yoga Center or Satchidananda Ashram–Yogaville) where he or she takes classes.