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.

Yogasoul Code of Conduct

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

ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL GUIDELINES FOR YOGA TEACHERS

Yoga is an integrated way of life, which includes moral and ethical practices. These standards are enshrined within the oldest Yogic texts, as well as the first two limbs of the Ashtanga Yoga Eight-Limb path. As a profession, many of these same virtues have been codified into studio and teacher training policies. Thus, it is reasonable to expect contemporary Yoga instructors to conduct their lives in consonance with same. As a Teacher Training, we expect no less of our trainees. We take these ethics seriously and expect our graduates to not only represent their teacher training program, but Yoga as a whole system. Therefore, it is with great seriousness that we espouse the following moral and professional principles to live, teach and practice by:
1. We are committed to practicing Yoga as a way of life and dedicate ourselves to a thorough and continuing study and practice of Yoga as a profession.
2. We are committed to maintaining impeccable standards of professional competence and integrity, and we will accurately represent our education, training and experience as Yoga teachers.
3. We are committed to avoiding substance abuse and if, for some reason, we succumb to chemical dependency, we will stop teaching until we are free again from drug and/or alcohol abuse.
4. We are committed to promoting the physical, mental and spiritual well-being of our students.
5. We will abstain from giving medical advice, or advice that could be interpreted as such, unless we have the necessary medical qualifications.
6. We will embrace the ideals of truthfulness and respect in dealing with all students and peers.
7. We will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, socio-economic status, national origin or physical disability, as well as on the basis of any assumptions of same. We will work equally with older students and students with physical disabilities, providing we have the skill to teach those students properly and safely. Where we do not, we will, to the best of our ability, help them find the proper care and instruction.
8. We respect the fact that every individual is entitled to his or her political worldview, ideas, and beliefs, and will consequently never force ours upon students.
9. We will avoid any forms of sexual harassment of students.
10. We will seek immediate counsel of peers before ever entering a consensual intimate relationship with a present student.
11. We will make every effort to avoid exploiting the trust and potential dependency of students and instead encourage them to find greater inner freedom.
12. We will practice tolerance and respect toward other Yoga instructors, schools, and traditions.