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.

Yogadana Code of Conduct

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

CODE OF CONDUCT
Yoga Teacher Training is both an educational experience and a personal commitment. Students are entering a shared learning environment that requires participation, accountability, respect, curiosity, and a willingness to engage with the practice of yoga beyona the physical postures.
By participating in this training, students agree to uphold the following standards throughout the duration of the program.
1. Attendance & Punctuality
Students are expected to attend all scheduled training sessions and arrive prepared and on time. The 200-hour requirement must be fulfilled for successful completion of the program. Any missed training hours must be discussed with the lead trainer and completed through an approved make-up arrangement. Multiple make up days may require additional fees to the lead trainer for working outside designated meeting times.
2. Active Participation
Students are expected to participate fully in lectures, discussions, asana labs, meditation, pranayama, practice teaching, partner work, hands-on learning, and other training activities.
Participation does not mean performing beyond your physical or emotional boundaries; it means being present, engaged, and willing to learn.
3. Personal Practice & Practice Logs
Students are responsible for completing the required personal yoga practices and maintaining their practice log throughout the training. Personal practice is an important part of learning to teach. Students are encouraged to experience different teachers, styles, and approaches to yoga as part of developing their own understanding of the practice.
4. Karma Classes & Practice Teaching
Students are required to complete assigned karma classes and practice-teaching requirements. These experiences are an essential part of developing confidence, communication skills, sequencing abilities, observation, and the practical application of what is learned throughout the training.
5. Homework & Required Reading
Reading assignments, written work, reflection exercises, and other homework are considered part of the training hours and must be completed as assigned. Students should arrive prepared to participate in discussions and activities related to assigned material.
6. Respect for the Learning Environment
Students are expected to contribute to an environment that is respectful, supportive, and conducive to learning. Disruptive, discriminatory, threatening, harassing, or intentionally harmful behavior toward instructors, fellow trainees, studio students, staff, or guests will not be tolerated.
Disagreement and thoughtful discussion are welcome. Disrespect is not.
7. Confidentiality & Trust
Yoga Teacher Training may include personal conversations, reflections, and vulnerable experiences. Students are expected to respect the privacy of others. Personal stories or information shared by another trainee should not be repeated outside of the training without that person's permission.
8. Physical & Personal Boundaries
Students must respect the physical and personal boundaries of classmates, teachers, and studio students. Consent is required before providing hands-on assists or physical touch. Students are encouraged to communicate their own boundaries clearly and may decline physical participation or touch at any time.
9. Professionalism
Students are expected to begin practicing the professional standards they will eventually carry into their own teaching. This includes appropriate communication, reliability, honesty, respect for boundaries, and taking responsibility for one's words and actions.
10. Phones & Technology
Phones and other personal devices should remain put away during classroom and contact hours unless specifically needed for a training activity. Devices may be used during scheduled breaks.
Students are expected to be mentally and physically present during training.
11. Substance Use
Students may not participate in training, practice teaching, or studio activities while impaired by alcohol, recreational drugs, or any substance that compromises their ability to participate safely and responsibly.
12. Accountability
Students are responsible for communicating directly with the lead trainer when questions, concerns, absences, conflicts, or difficulties arise. Students are expected to take responsibility for completing all requirements necessary for graduation rather than relying on instructors or classmates to manage their progress.
13. Financial Commitment & Refund Policy
Enrollment in this program reserves a limited space and represents a commitment for the full duration of the training.
All payments made toward the Yoga Teacher Training program are non-refundable.
Due to the extended commitment, preparation, planning, and limited enrollment of the program, exceptions to this refund policy cannot be made.
Students participating in a monthly payment plan remain responsible for completing the payment plan in full. All payment plans must be paid in full before completion of the training.
Withdrawal, absence, or failure to complete training requirements does not eliminate the student's financial responsibility for the program nor does it permit a refund of any kind
14. Completion & Certification
Participation in the training does not automatically guarantee certification. To receive a certificate of completion, students must successfully complete all required training hours, assignments, readings, practice logs, karma classes, practice-teaching requirements, and financial obligations and demonstrate conduct consistent with the expectations of the program.
15. Removal from the Program
Serious or repeated violations of this Code of Conduct may result in a meeting with the lead trainer and, when appropriate, removal from the program. Conduct involving harassment, discrimination, threats, intentional harm, serious boundary violations, or behavior that compromises the safety of the training community may warrant immediate removal.
Removal from the program does not constitute grounds for a refund or cancellation of outstanding financial obligations.
STUDENT AGREEMENT
By participating in this Yoga Teacher Training, I understand that I am responsible for my attendance, participation, assignments, practice requirements, financial commitment, and conduct. I agree to respect the boundaries, privacy, safety, and learning experience of my fellow trainees, instructors, studio students, and community.
I understand that yoga teacher training asks for more than simply learning how to teach poses. It asks me to practice accountability, self-study, integrity, compassion, and respect as I begin stepping into the role of a yoga teacher.