Code of Conduct & Scope of Practice

 

Code of Conduct​

Purpose Statement:

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

 

Financial Practices:

Teachers will be honest, straightforward, fair, and conscientious in conducting all of their business affairs.  Teachers will manage their business affairs according to recognized standard business and accounting practices.  Teachers will discuss all fees and financial arrangements in a straightforward and professional manner.  

 

Teachers will seek to:

1. Comply with all legal and business requirements that apply to their business.

2. Ensure all advertisements relating to the benefits of yoga are accurate, fair, and not misleading.

3. Treat employees, assistants, students, colleagues, and other wellness businesses fairly, transparently, and honestly during all business dealings; and

4. Follow sound environmental and sustainable practices in their professional and personal lives.

  

Professional Growth / Continuing Education:

Teachers shall maintain the integrity, competency, and high standards of the yoga profession by continuously striving to improve their skills through keeping current in new developments in yoga practice and by participating in continuing educational programs.  

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Teacher – Student Relationships: 

Teachers recognize the trust placed in them by their students and the power imbalance of the student-teacher relationship.  Teachers shall avoid exploiting the trust and dependency of students.  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 students.  Teachers will be mindful not to project their own agendas, perceptions, and outcomes on their students.  Teachers will not seek to fulfill their personal needs at their students’ expense.  Teachers shall maintain professional boundaries in relationships with students and avoid any relationships that may exploit trust between the student and teacher.

 

Teachers recognize that their purpose is to serve their student’s personal exploration and growth.  Teachers will avoid any activity or influence that conflicts with the best interests of their students or that may be solely for their own personal gain or gratification.

 

Integrity:

Teachers shall uphold the highest of moral standards.  Teachers shall strive to ensure that their intentions, actions, and speech are based on honesty, compassion, selflessness, trustworthiness, and transparency.  

 

Teachers recognize that the process of learning is never complete, and they shall avoid portraying themselves as “enlightened” or “spiritually advanced.”  Teachers recognize that they are walking on the spiritual path along with their fellow teachers and students.  Teachers shall cultivate an attitude of humanity in their teaching and dedicate their work to something greater than themselves. 

 

Scope of Practice

Teachers shall not diagnose their student’s physical or psychological condition.  Teachers shall not give medical advice.  Teachers shall not prescribe a treatment or suggest rejecting a physician’s advice.  Teachers shall refer their students to medical doctors or complimentary licensed professionals when appropriate. 

 

Confidential Information:

Teachers shall respect and protect the welfare of all their students or clients.  Teachers shall keep all personal information disclosed by their students or clients strictly confidential.  All discussions among teachers concerning students or clients shall be conducted in secure, non-public environments.

 

Teachers shall 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.  Teachers will obtain the consent of students before audio or video recording in class.

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Inter-Professional Relationships: 

Teachers are part of network of health care and well-being professionals and should strive to develop and maintain relationships within the community for the benefit of their students and their professional development.  Teachers shall conduct themselves in an honorable manner in their relations with their fellow yoga teachers and other wellness practitioners.  Teachers shall work to build the unity of their community by embracing diversity, collaboration, and commitment.  

 

Teachers shall practice tolerance and acceptance toward other yoga teachers, schools, and traditions.  Teachers shall not openly criticize practices followed by other yoga schools or teachers.  However, teachers recognize that differences of opinion are to be expected and they may be discussed in a sensitive and compassionate manner. When criticism must be made, it should be done with fairness, discretion and with a focus on the facts.

 

Advertising and Public Communications:

Teachers shall not make false, deceptive, or fraudulent statements or advertisements concerning:

 

( i ) their training, or competence; ( ii ) their academic degrees or credentials; ( iii ) their institutional affiliations; ( iv ) their classes, workshops, and teacher trainings; ( v ) the scientific or clinical basis for the success of their services; ( vi ) their fees; ( vii ) statements involving sensationalism, exaggeration, or superficiality; or ( viii ) an intent to exploit a student’s fears or emotions or to create unjustified expectations for cures or results.  

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Yoga Equity: 

Teachers are encouraged to make yoga accessible and available to everyone.  Teachers are encouraged to create integrated accessible yoga classes where all students can practice together.  Teachers are encouraged to have an awareness and a commitment to making yoga more equitable, inclusive, accessible, and diverse.  This includes the ways that yoga practice can be modified to suit students with disabilities, physical challenges, chronic illness, seniors, and anyone who may not feel comfortable in a regular class.  It also includes making classes welcoming to everyone and approaching students in a trauma-informed way.

 

Teachers are encouraged to obtain appropriate training to offer accessible yoga classes.