Code of conduct

Yoganam Academy and our employees and teachers abide by the following set of core values:

Provide amazing spaces
Care genuinely for our community
Cultivate an inclusive community & culture
Inspire individuals to pursue new heights
Embrace each challenge as an opportunity to innovate.
Seek authentic communication
Build lasting relationships

Based on these principles and on the Yamas and Niyamas of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali (ethical guidelines for all practitioners of Yoga) we have developed the following code of conduct which applies to all our teachers and program participants. We believe that it is our responsibility to ensure a safe and equitable environment in which a student can grow physically, mentally, and spiritually.

Code of conduct
Financial Practices: Teachers and trainees agree to
comply with all legal and business requirements that apply to their business.
ensure all advertisements relating to the benefits of yoga are accurate, fair, and not misleading.
treat employees, assistants, students, colleagues, and others fairly, transparently and honestly in the course of all business dealing
follow sound environmental and sustainable practices in their professional and personal lives.
seek opportunities to render service to individuals or groups who are underserved by the broader yoga community on a pro bono basis.
Professional growth and continuing education: Teachers and trainees agree to
dedicate themselves to the continuing study and practice of yoga, including asana, meditation, and theory.
keep current in new developments in yoga practice and by participating in continuing educational programs.
Teacher/student relationships: Teachers and Trainees recognize
Teachers shall maintain professional relationships with their students, recognizing that the teacher-student relationship involves a power imbalance.
Teachers shall avoid any relationship with a student that exploits the student in any way or that may be used for the teacher’s personal benefit.
Teachers shall not engage in harassment, abusive words or actions,or exploit students.
The relationship between a yoga teacher and a student is based on trust. To establish and maintain that trust, teachers must be polite, considerate, and honest in their interactions with their students.
Teachers should practice good communication with their students. Teachers should listen attentively to their students, respect their point of view, beliefs and culture, and should not allow their beliefs and values to adversely influence their relationship with their students.
Teachers shall avoid imposing their personal beliefs on their students.
Teachers recognize that their teachings may lead to physical contact with students. Touch will be used only with the students’ consent and with their well-being in mind.
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.

Integrity
Teachers and trainees shall uphold the highest of moral standards, striving to ensure that their intentions, actions, and speech are based on honesty, compassion, selflessness, trustworthiness, and transparency.
Teachers and trainees recognize that they are walking on the spiritual path along with their fellow teachers and students, and shall cultivate an attitude of humanity and humility in their teaching.
Teachers and trainees shall strive to adhere to the traditional yoga principles as delineated in the yamas and niyamas.
Scope of Practice
Teachers and trainees shall represent their qualifications honestly and provide only the services they are qualified and certified to perform.
Teachers and trainees shall not give medical advice, recommend treatment, diagnose a condition, or suggest that a student disregard medical advice.
Teachers and trainees shall refer their students to medical doctors or complimentary licensed professionals when appropriate.
Confidentiality
Teachers and trainees shall keep all personal information disclosed by their students or clients strictly confidential.
A teacher who receives personal information from a student or client may not
disclose such information without the written consent of the student or client EXCEPT in the following situations: (a) to comply with the law or the order of a court; (b) to prevent bodily harm or danger to the student or client or to others; or (c) where the information has already been disclosed to the public.
All discussions among teachers concerning students or clients shall be conducted in secure, non-public environments.
Advertising
Teachers and trainees shall not make false advertisements.
Teachers and trainees shall refrain from making public statements on the benefits of yoga that are not supported by science or the generally accepted experience of the yoga community.
The education, training, and experience of the teacher shall be fairly and accurately disclosed.
Advertisements shall not include exaggerated claims about the benefits of yoga.

Equity
Teachers and trainees will embrace yoga equity. Teachers shall seek to have an awareness and a commitment to making yoga more equitable, inclusive, accessible and diverse. This encompasses diversity, inclusion and accessibility in yoga.
Teachers and trainees will make the conscious decision to address each of these issues thoughtfully and intentionally throughout their work in restoring equity to the yoga community.
Teachers and trainees are encouraged to obtain appropriate training to offer accessible yoga classes.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.