What to Include in a Yoga Teacher's Code of Conduct

When to Use This Guide

This guide is designed to help you articulate your values, protect your students' wellbeing, and ensure your teaching style remains accountable and inclusive. It is suitable for yoga teachers at any stage of their career who want to create, review, or update a code of conduct. Above all, your code of conduct is a living reflection of how you teach, supporting both you and your students in creating a safe, positive, and empowering yoga environment.

Use this guide when you are:

Setting up your own classes, workshops, or retreats
Teaching in new settings such as studios, schools, community spaces, or online platforms
Revising your professional standards or responding to feedback
Seeking clarity on best practices for boundaries, consent, and safety
Looking for a clear and practical template to communicate your expectations and values

Whether you are developing your first code of conduct or refining an existing one, this resource will help ensure your standards are clear, relevant, and supportive of both you and your students.

It outlines what students can expect from you, what you expect from them, and your approach to safety, boundaries, communication, and professionalism, all aimed at building trust before issues arise.

Above all, your code of conduct should be clear, relevant to your teaching, and consistent with your duty of care; it does not need to be complex.

Why a code of conduct matters

A code of conduct is not about being strict or formal; it is a powerful way to make your professional standards visible and accessible. By setting out clear expectations, you create a foundation of trust, safety, and mutual respect for everyone in your teaching spaces. Ultimately, a thoughtful code of conduct allows you to teach authentically and confidently, ensuring your values and boundaries support both your students and yourself.

What a code of conduct is for

Your code of conduct should outline your professional conduct and the standards you expect from participants in your teaching spaces.Its purpose is to support safety, transparency, respect, and consistency, not to add unnecessary formality.

Core areas you may wish to include in your code of conduct are:

1. Professional values and teaching standards

Begin with the principles that guide your teaching.

This might include your commitment to:

student wellbeing
inclusion and accessibility
informed consent
respect and professionalism
ongoing learning and Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
practising within your scope of practice
honest communication about your qualifications and experience
commit to ongoing self-care and personal practice to ensure safe, authentic teaching
honour yoga's cultural roots and teach with cultural sensitivity, avoiding appropriation

This section establishes the foundation for the rest of your code.

2. Respectful behaviour and inclusion

Your code of conduct should describe the learning environment you aim to create.

You may want to say that you are committed to:

treating all students with dignity and respect
not discriminating based on race, disability, sex, gender identity, age, religion, sexuality, or background
using respectful language
supporting reasonable accessibility needs where possible. Clearly stating your willingness to discuss and accommodate access needs, within your capacity, empowers students with disabilities or differing needs
maintaining a class culture that does not tolerate bullying, harassment, intimidation, or exclusion

This is also an appropriate place to note that students are expected to treat you and one another with respect.

3. Informed consent and physical contact

If you use hands-on assists, include this section.

You should explain:

whether you offer physical assists
how you ask for consent
how students can decline contact
that consent can be withdrawn at any time
that choosing not to receive touch will never affect a student's experience negatively

If you use tools such as consent cards, verbal check-ins, or pre-class reminders, specify this in your code.

This is a non-negotiable. Students must understand what contact may occur and how to opt out.

Your code of conduct should clearly define your professional role and its limitations.

Stating that you:

teach yoga within your training and competence
do not diagnose injuries or medical conditions
do not offer medical, psychological, legal, or financial advice unless separately qualified to do so
refer students to relevant professionals where appropriate
do not present yoga teaching as a substitute for healthcare, therapy, or specialist treatment

This protects both you and your students.

4. Student safety and wellbeing

Include a brief section on how you support safe participation.

For example:

asking students to share relevant injuries, health issues, or access needs where appropriate
encouraging students to work at their own pace
reminding students that they are responsible for listening to their body and making informed choices
adapting where reasonably possible
stopping or modifying practices where there is a clear safety concern
have clear procedures for emergencies (medical, fire, evacuation) in all teaching spaces.

This section should be practical and focused on supportive guidance rather than cautionary language.

5. Safeguarding and duty of care

If you work with children, young people, or adults at risk, your code of conduct should reflect that responsibility.You may want to include that you:

take safeguarding seriously
follow your safeguarding procedures
maintain appropriate professional boundaries
avoid situations that could place students or teachers at risk
respond appropriately to concerns, disclosures, or signs of harm
understand when signposting or escalation is needed

Even if you primarily teach adults, it is important to demonstrate that duty of care is central to your professional standards.

6. Confidentiality and privacy

Teachers often hear personal information before or after class.

Your code of conduct should explain how you handle personal information.

You might include that you:

treat personal information with care
only collect information that is relevant and necessary
respect privacy
follow applicable data protection requirements
only share information where there is a safeguarding concern, legal obligation, or clear professional reason to do so

This helps students understand that privacy is important, but confidentiality may be limited when safety is at risk.

7. Communication and professional conduct

This section should outline your standards for professional communication.

You may want to cover:

honesty in advertising and class descriptions
clear pricing and booking information, linking your policy on missed classes, cancellations, lateness, or refunds. This prevents misunderstandings and demonstrates transparency.
respectful communication online and in person
appropriate response times, where relevant
not making misleading claims about outcomes, accreditation, healing, or specialist expertise
professional behaviour on social media and in digital spaces

Transparency fosters trust by ensuring your expectations and decisions are clear, helping students feel secure and respected in your teaching environment.

8. Equality of treatment and boundaries around relationships

A code of conduct should also state that you maintain fair and appropriate boundaries.

This may include:

avoiding favouritism
maintaining appropriate teacher-student boundaries
handling power dynamics responsibly
not exploiting students emotionally, financially, sexually, or professionally
being thoughtful about gifts, private messaging, or blurred personal-professional boundaries

This is particularly important for teachers in close-knit communities or one-to-one settings.

9. Dress, environment, and professionalism in practice

Some teachers include expectations for personal presentation and the classroom environment.

For example:

maintaining a clean, safe, and suitable teaching space
dressing appropriately for the setting
arriving prepared and on time
using music, language, props, touch, or themes in a way that is appropriate to the class context

These expectations should be flexible and reflect the standards of your teaching environments.

10. Online teaching expectations

If you teach online, include a brief section addressing digital expectations.

You may want to explain:

how students should access the class
whether cameras are optional or required
how recordings are handled
expectations around respectful online behaviour
any privacy considerations for live or recorded sessions
state whether students may record classes, share handouts, or post content online

Online teaching also requires clear boundaries and professional standards.

11. Complaints, concerns, and feedback

Students should know how to raise concerns if issues arise.

Your code of conduct can include:

how students can raise a concern
whether concerns should be raised by email, form, or direct conversation
your commitment to handling feedback respectfully
when matters may need to be escalated

A clear process reduces confusion and ensures concerns are addressed fairly.

What not to do

When writing your code of conduct, avoid:

vague language that sounds good but says very little
copying another teacher's code without adapting it to your work
making promises you cannot uphold
including rules that do not match the way you actually teach
presenting yourself as qualified beyond your real training or experience
using language that is punitive, unclear, or overly legalistic if a simpler explanation would do

Your code of conduct should be realistic, accessible, and aligned with your actual practice.

A straightforward structure for your code of conduct

If you're unsure where to begin, consider organising your code of conduct with these sections:

A short statement of professional values
Respect, inclusion, and expected behaviour
Informed consent and touch
Scope of practice and boundaries
Student safety and wellbeing
Confidentiality and data protection
Communication and professionalism
Safeguarding, where relevant
Complaints and concerns process

Remember, your code of conduct does not need to be lengthy; clarity is what matters most.

Questions to ask yourself before writing a Code of Conduct

Before sharing your code of conduct, ask yourself:

Does this reflect the way I actually teach?
Does it make my boundaries visible?
Does it explain consent clearly?
Does it support student safety and trust?
Does it stay within my real scope of practice?
Would a student understand what to expect from me after reading it?
Would I feel confident standing behind this if a concern was raised?

If you answer no to any of these questions, revise your code before publishing.

How this Code is Shared and Updated

Specify how students will be informed of the code, such as before the first class or on your website, and outline your process for reviewing and updating it.

Final thought

A code of conduct is not about appearing strict or formal; it is about making your professional standards clear. For yoga teachers, clarity is essential. A well-crafted code of conduct builds trust, protects boundaries, and helps students make informed choices about your teaching spaces. This does not mean you cannot teach in your own style. It is about ensuring your approach is accountable, transparent, and safe.

Related Resources:

This guidance is for general awareness and professional orientation. It is not a substitute for professional legal, tax, or insurance advice specific to your individual situation.