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.

Leaping Lotus Yoga School Code of Conduct

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

CODE OF CONDUCT

PURPOSE STATEMENT
The purpose of our Code of Conduct is to help our teachers serve in their purest spirit and to protect our students and community.

FINANCIAL PRACTICES
Teachers will discuss all fees and financial arrangements in a straightforward professional manner.
Teachers will manage their business affairs according to recognized standard business and accounting
practices. Teachers are encouraged to render services to individual or groups in need without regard to
financial remuneration. Teachers will neither receive nor pay a commission for referral of a student.

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH/CONTINUING EDUCATION
Teachers shall dedicate themselves to the continuing study and practice of yoga, including asana,
meditation, and theory.

INTEGRITY
Teachers shall uphold the highest of moral standards. Teachers shall strive to ensure that their intentions,
actions, and speech are based on honesty, compassion, selflessness, trustworthiness, and transparency.
Teachers recognize that the process of learning is never complete, and they shall avoid portraying
themselves as “enlightened” or “spiritually advanced.” Teachers recognize that they are walking on the
spiritual path along with their fellow teachers and students. Teachers shall cultivate an attitude of
humanity in their teaching and dedicate their work to something greater than themselves.

SCOPE OF PRACTICE
Teachers shall not abandon or neglect their students. If teachers are unable (or unwilling for appropriate
reasons) to provide professional help or continue a professional relationship, they should make every
reasonable effort to arrange for instruction for that student with another teacher. Teachers should avoid
giving any personal advice concerning a student’s personal life. Teachers shall not give medical advice.
Teachers shall not prescribe a treatment or suggest rejecting a physician’s advice. Teachers shall refer
their students to medical doctors or complimentary licensed professionals when appropriate.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION
Teachers shall keep all personal information disclosed by their students strictly confidential

INTER-PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Teachers are part of a network of health care and well-being professionals and shall seek to develop
interdisciplinary relationships. Teachers shall conduct themselves in an honorable manner in their
relations with their colleagues and other wellness practitioners. Teachers shall not openly criticize
practices followed by other yoga schools or teachers.

ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
A teacher shall accurately represent his or her professional qualifications and certifications along with his
or her affiliations with any organization(s). Announcements and brochures promoting classes or
workshops shall describe them with accuracy and grace. These principles are designed to uphold the
quality of our teachings and shall be in compliance with legal guidelines for appropriate representation of
our services.

YOGA EQUITY
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
seek to have an awareness and a commitment to making yoga more equitable, inclusive, accessible and
diverse. This encompasses diversity, inclusion and accessibility in yoga. Teachers will make the
conscious decision to address each of these issues thoughtfully and intentionally throughout their work in
restoring equity to the yoga community. Teachers will emphasize the importance of learning, teaching,
and practicing yoga honestly, which means promoting equity, reducing harm, honoring and leveraging
cultural differences, and fostering diversity and inclusion in all areas of yoga while honoring the integrity
of yoga’s cultural and historical roots.

This training is not intended to teach trainees how to treat or diagnose mental or physical conditions. Teachers shall not diagnose their student’s physical or psychological condition. Teachers shall not give medical advice. Teachers shall not prescribe a treatment or suggest rejecting a physician’s advice. Teachers shall refer their students to medical doctors or complimentary licensed professionals when appropriate.

The training manual is for the YTT only! It is not to be replicated in any way.

Improper use of this material is unethical and goes against all Yoga ethics.