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.

Yoga People Oneonta Code of Conduct

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

Anti-Harassment Policy
Definitions: Harassment is a legal term that means unwelcome verbal and non-verbal conduct directed against someone in a protected class.
Sexual harassment is a legal term that means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature in the workplace. Sexual misconduct is a non-legal term used informally to describe a broad range of behaviors which may or may not involve harassment.

We do not permit managers, employees, teachers, independent contractors, students, or others in the workplace to harass any other person because of age, gender (including pregnancy), race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, genetic information, or any other basis proscribed by law.

We do not tolerate sexual harassment in our studio. Sexual harassment refers to any unwelcome sexual attention, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature when the conduct harms the personʼs employment or working environment.

We prohibit sexual misconduct in our studio. Sexual misconduct is any unsolicited and unwelcome sexual advance including requests for sexual favors, sexual touching, and verbal, visual, or physical conduct that creates a sexually hostile environment in a yoga class or studio.

Teachers recognize the unique power and imbalance of the student-teacher relationship. While acknowledging the complexity of yoga relationships, teachers shall not exploit the trust and dependency of students. Teachers shall avoid any dual relationships with students (e.g., business, personal, or sexual relationships) that could impair their professional judgment, compromise the integrity of their instruction, and/or use the relationship for their own gain. Teachers understand that a yoga studio is a place of deep spiritual work and transformation. Teachers shall not make comments, gestures, or physical contact of a sexual nature with their students, even if the student invites such conduct. Sexual misconduct will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

Code of Conduct
We are committed to holding high ethical standards for our yoga teachers and yoga training students. We believe that it is the responsibility of a teacher to ensure a safe environment in which our clients can grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Clients are looking for guidance from teachers with authenticity, experience, and wisdom. Our Code of Conduct was developed to protect our clients in this potentially vulnerable relationship with their teachers and to uphold the highest professional standards.

Teacher-Client Relationships
Teachers recognize that they provide a service to clients, but do not possess them and will therefore refrain from characterizing them as “their students.”

Teachers recognize the trust placed in them by their clients and the power imbalance of the client-teacher relationship. Teachers shall avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of clients. Teachers shall hold themselves out as stewards of safe and sacred spaces by maintaining clear personal and professional boundaries.

Teachers will continually be aware of their position of power and influence in their relationship with their clients. Teachers will be mindful not to project their own agendas, perceptions, and outcomes on their clients. Teachers will not seek to fulfill their personal needs at their clientsʼ expense. Teachers shall maintain professional boundaries in relationships with clients and avoid any relationships that may exploit trust between the client and teacher. Teachers recognize that their purpose is to serve their clientʼs personal exploration and growth. Teachers will avoid any activity or influence that is in conflict with the best interests of their clients or that may be solely for their own personal gain or gratification

Scope of Practice
Our studio will not engage in the unauthorized practice of medicine. We will not recommend treatment, diagnose a condition, or suggest that a client should disregard a physicianʼs advice. We will refer our clients to medical doctors or complimentary licensed professionals when appropriate.

Teachers shall represent their qualifications honestly and provide only the services they are qualified and certified to perform. Teachers shall not give medical advice. Teachers shall not recommend treatment, diagnose a condition, or suggest that a student disregard medical advice. Teachers shall refer their clients to medical doctors or complimentary licensed professionals when appropriate.

Inter-Professional Relationships
Teachers are part of the well-being community and should strive to develop and maintain relationships within the community for the benefit of their students and their own professional development. Teachers shall practice tolerance toward other teachers, schools, and traditions. Teachers shall not undermine a clientʼs trust in teachings they have received from other traditions, schools or teachers by criticizing such teachings without reasonable cause. If a teacher hears such criticism being made by students or colleagues, he or she must act with the utmost discretion and professionalism in voicing their view on the matter