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.

Wildcroft School of Yoga Code of Conduct

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

This Code of Conduct aims to protect the welfare and protection of our students, teachers, yoga community, and the public. It provides a common core of standards for behaviour by trainers, trainees and graduates in order to elevate the professionalism and integrity of our teaching while honouring our diversity.

Financial Practices:

We will comply with all legal and business requirements that apply to our work; ensure all advertisements relating to the benefits of yoga are accurate and fair, treat employees, assistants, students, colleagues, and other wellness businesses fairly; and follow sound environmental and sustainable practices where possible.

Professional Growth & Continuing Education:

We will maintain and improve our professional knowledge and competence, strive for professional excellence through self-reflection, education and practice, and stay current with new developments in yoga research and practice.

Student-Teacher Relationships:

We will maintain professional relationships with our students. We recognize that the teacher-student relationship involves a power imbalance, and will avoid any relationship with a student that exploits or harms the student. We will not exploit the trust of students and their potential dependency but rather, encourage students to find greater inner freedom.

The relationship between a yoga teacher and a student is based on trust. To establish and maintain this, we will be polite, considerate, and honest in their interactions with our students. We will also listen attentively to their students, respecting their point of view, beliefs and culture. However, if a student’s opinions seriously impede the process of receiving yoga, then we may end the teaching relationship respectfully.

Integrity:

We will strive to ensure that our intentions, actions, and speech are based on honesty, compassion, selflessness, trustworthiness, and transparency. We recognize that we are walking on the spiritual path along with our fellow teachers and students, and will cultivate an attitude of humility in our teaching even when offering from a place of expertise.

Scope of Practice:

We will represent our qualifications honestly and provide only the services we are qualified and certified to perform. We will not recommend treatment, diagnose a condition, or suggest that a student disregard medical advice. We will refer students to medical doctors or complimentary licensed professionals when appropriate.

Confidential Information:

We will keep all personal information disclosed by our students or clients strictly confidential. We will not disclose personal information belonging to a student or client except (a) to comply with the law or the order of a court; (b) to prevent bodily harm or danger to the client or to others; or (c) where the information has already been disclosed to the public. We will obtain the consent of students before audio or video recording in class.

Yoga Equity:

We will welcome, accept, and support all students regardless of religion, gender, sexual orientation, language, nationality, or cultural background. We commit to making yoga more equitable, inclusive, accessible and diverse. We 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.