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.

Journey Within Yoga and Wellness Code of Conduct

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

Journey Within Yoga and Wellness Code of
Conduct

We are committed to holding high ethical standards for our yoga teachers. We
believe that it is the responsibility of a teacher to ensure a safe environment in
which our students can grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Our Code of
Conduct was developed to protect our students in relationship with their teachers
and to uphold the highest professional standards. Our Code of Conduct
embodies the yamas and niyamas of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali which are rules
of ethical conduct that apply to all practitioners of yoga.

Yoga Equity
Our studio will not discriminate against or refuse to provide teaching or
professional help to any student, client or employee based on any protected
class such as age, gender (including pregnancy), race, ethnicity, culture, national
origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status or genetic
information. We will not discriminate in the workplace.
Teachers will welcome, accept, and support all students regardless of religion,
gender, sexual orientation, language, nationality, political, or cultural background.
Teachers will embrace yoga equity.
Teachers shall commit to a shared responsibility for awareness of and
commitment to change the inequities that exist within yoga that result in many
people feeling excluded and underrepresented. These may be people who feel
excluded due to their body composition and/or physical ability. Teachers are
encouraged to take proactive steps to promote inclusion in yoga to: (1) promote
equity; (2) reduce harm to students; (3) honor and leverage cultural differences;
and (4) expand diversity and accessibility in all areas of yoga while honoring the
integrity of yoga’s cultural and historical roots.
Teachers shall not discriminate against or refuse to provide teaching or
professional help to any student, client or employee based on any protected
class such as age, gender (including pregnancy), race, ethnicity, culture, national
origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status or genetic
information.

For additional information and Policies visit: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1diC46FyeAklA3Zd0QWM_BRrz4HGsiQ4G/view?usp=sharing