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.

Feather Sister Code of Conduct

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

Feather sister is committed to ensuring a safe and clean environment for student growth, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Feather Sister recognizes that the teaching profession comes with considerable responsibility and has established both an Ethics Statement and this Code of Conduct as guidance for teachers and staff.
Feather Sister Yoga Staff members are to:
Create and maintain a safe, clean, and comfortable environment
Maintain professionalism and courtesy during interactions and business transactions.
Welcoming and respecting all students regardless of age, physical limitations, race, gender, creed, religious affiliation,n or sexual orientation. See Equal Rights Policy
Follow government laws, ethics in the yoga industry, health, and safety requirements
Stay current and informed on the developments in yoga through professional development
Establish and revise necessary procedures and integrate new or relevant information into yoga teaching and the business of yoga
Represent qualifications and experience truthfully by:
Instructing only in areas of expertise
Not exaggerating qualifications or expertise
Referring students with needs outside of expertise
Routinely asking management, peers and students for feedback on instruction.
Respecting copyrights, acknowledgment to the sources, whether another instructor or an author.
Maintaining confidentiality of student information by:
Keeping student records secure
Not sharing any personal information unless permitted by the student
Conducting financial matters according to recognized and standard accounting procedures by:
Setting and charging fees based on market value
Appropriately reporting earnings according to taxation laws
Maintaining appropriate respect and relationship boundaries by: Respect for each student’s belief system
Respecting the rights, dignity, and privacy of all students
Avoiding verbiage or actions constituting sexual harassment (see Anti Harassment Policy)
Initiate counseling and/or communication with management to discuss any teacher/student conflict or issues
Exercise extreme caution before entering into a teacher/student relationship, whether business, sexual, or close personal relationships
Lead by example by:
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle
Avoiding personal complaints, negativity,y or gossip at the Feather Sister studio
Maintaining a personal yoga practice
Aspiring to embody principles of yoga
Refraining from all forms of discrimination and harassment
“Love, Light and Feathers.”
Feather Sister