Ethics and teaching yoga

This is what I align with in regards to teaching yoga and professional conduct as a RYT 200 with the Yoga Alliance.

Introduction

In general, I abide by the Yamas and Niyamas - the first two limbs of the 8 limbs of yoga as outlined in the Patanjali Yoga Sutras.

I am a RYT (Registered Yoga Teacher) with the Yoga Alliance, which provides me and my students with an outline of what is and isn’t ok in a yoga teacher/student situation, and as a practicing teacher.

The Yoga Alliance Code sets out acceptable, recommended, required, and prohibited professional and ethical behaviours by which Members agree to conduct themselves.

It is based upon core values intrinsic to the practice of yoga. If you need to find out more details you can click the links below.

The Code is an integral part of the overall Ethical Commitment to which a Member must accept, along with Yoga Alliance’s Scope of Practice and all other Yoga Alliance policies.

Purpose

Yoga Alliance envision a world in which access to high-quality teaching and practicing of yoga is equitable for all and elevates collective wellbeing and human consciousness. The purpose of the Code and the overall Ethical Commitment is to foster safe and respectful guidelines for the profession of teaching yoga and to assure that Yoga Alliance Members maintain a high level of teaching ability and accountability.

By defining and requiring high standards of professional and ethical conduct, Yoga Alliance seeks to promote confidence and respect for Members throughout yoga communities and the public at large. This includes: (a) broadening the public understanding of the role of the Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT™); (b) ensuring and upholding professional behavior within the Yoga Alliance community; (c) developing and encouraging high standards of professional conduct; and (d) promoting and protecting the interests of the profession of yoga teaching and of the Yoga Alliance members we serve.

Preamble

Yoga Alliance’s Code centres on the principles of the yamas (First Limb of the 8 Limbs of Yoga) towards the purpose of internal self-reflection and external conscious action.

The principles of the Yamas set guidelines for aspirational ethical behaviour for yoga practitioners, which then inform a contemporary global view on the ethical responsibilities of a Teacher to their Students, Trainees, employees, peers, or other Members and to society at large.

Members agree to adhere to this Code as a commitment to ethical integrity in teaching yoga.

Guidance for the Code of Conduct

Code Principle 1 — Adhere to Applicable Law

Code Principle 2 — Follow the Yoga Alliance™ Scope of Practice

Code Principle 3 — Follow the Yoga Alliance Anti-Harassment Policy

Code Principle 4 — Follow the Yoga Alliance Sexual Misconduct Policy

Code Principle 5 — Do No Harm

Under Code Principle 5, Members MUST do no harm. Members MUST attest that they will take reasonable steps to do no harm and will not intentionally or negligently cause harm to Students, Trainees, employees, peers, other Members, other teachers, or members of the public through any action or inaction, including but not limited to actions proscribed by local, state, provincial, national, and federal laws and regulations.

Code Principle 6 — Actively Include All Individuals

Code Principle 6 includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Avoid Discrimination

2. Seek Active Inclusion

3. Provide Reasonable Accommodations

4. Establish a Reasonable Physical Location

Code Principle 7 — Respect Student-Teacher Relationships

Code Principle 7 includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Consent-Based Touch

2. Romantic and/or Sexual Relationships

3. Work Status

4. Consent to Record

Code Principle 8 — Maintain Honesty in Communications

1. Honesty in Communication

2. Local Resources

3. Cultural Responsibility

4. Individual Responsibility