Policies & Guidelines

Mission Yoga School is committed to creating a safe, inclusive, and ethical learning environment. Please review our policies outlining our standards of professional conduct.

CODE OF CONDUCT & PROFESSIONAL ETHICS POLICY

Effective: November 12, 2026

Applies to:

Yoga Teacher Training Programs (YTT)Continuing Education ProgramsWorkshopsRetreatsOnline ProgramsIn-Person ProgramsHybrid ProgramsStudentsFacultyLead TrainersMentorsGuest TeachersStaffVolunteersContractors

* These policies are provided as a general framework for Mission Yoga School and are intended for educational and administrative purposes only. They do not constitute legal advice. Mission Yoga School should consult qualified legal counsel to ensure compliance with applicable local, state, national, and international laws and regulations. These policies may be updated periodically at the discretion of Mission Yoga School.

1.PURPOSE

Mission Yoga School is committed to cultivating a learning environment rooted in integrity, respect, professionalism, inclusivity, compassion, accountability, and ethical conduct. This Code of Conduct & Professional Ethics Policy establishes the standards of behavior expected of all participants and reflects the values of yoga, professional responsibility, and the ethical principles promoted by Yoga Alliance.

  • Promote a safe and respectful learning environment.
  • Protect the wellbeing of students and faculty.
  • Encourage professional and ethical conduct.
  • Support Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).
  • Establish clear expectations regarding behavior and professional boundaries.
  • Maintain the integrity of Mission Yoga School certifications and programs.

2.CORE VALUES

All members of the Mission Yoga School community are expected to embody the following values:

2.1. Respect

Treat all individuals with dignity, courtesy, and consideration.

2.2. Integrity

Act honestly, ethically, and responsibly in all interactions.

2.3. Inclusion

Support an environment that welcomes people of diverse backgrounds, identities, abilities, experiences, and perspectives.

2.4. Accountability

Accept responsibility for personal actions and their impact on others.

2.5. Compassion

Practice empathy, kindness, and non-harming principles in communication and conduct.

2.6. Professionalism

Maintain conduct consistent with the responsibilities of yoga educators, students, and wellness professionals.

3.SCOPE

This policy applies to all Mission Yoga School activities including:

  • Trainings
  • Workshops
  • Retreats
  • Practicum Sessions
  • Mentorship Programs
  • Online Classes
  • In-Person Classes
  • School Events
  • Community Gatherings
  • Email Communications
  • Messaging Platforms
  • Social Media Activities connected to Mission Yoga School
The policy applies both during and outside scheduled training hours whenever an individual is representing or participating in Mission Yoga School activities.

4.PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS

All participants are expected to:

4.1. Treat Others with Respect

  • Listen actively.
  • Communicate respectfully.
  • Value diverse perspectives.
  • Avoid hostile or disruptive behavior.

4.2. Support a Safe Learning Environment

  • Promote physical safety.
  • Promote emotional safety.
  • Respect personal boundaries.
  • Follow instructor guidance.
  • Report safety concerns.

4.3. Demonstrate Professional Responsibility

  • Arrive prepared.
  • Complete assignments.
  • Honor commitments.
  • Maintain punctuality.
  • Participate constructively.

4.4. Maintain Ethical Conduct

  • Act honestly.
  • Avoid deception.
  • Respect confidentiality.
  • Avoid exploitation of others.

5.DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY (DEIA)

Mission Yoga School values and celebrates diversity. Discrimination, exclusion, or unequal treatment based on protected characteristics is prohibited. Mission Yoga School is committed to creating an environment that is:

  • Inclusive
  • Accessible
  • Equitable
  • Respectful of cultural differences
  • Supportive of diverse learning needs
Participants are expected to contribute positively to this commitment.

6.PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES

Mission Yoga School recognizes that positions of authority may create power imbalances. Teachers, trainers, mentors, and staff are expected to maintain appropriate professional boundaries with students. Professional relationships should remain focused on educational objectives and student wellbeing.

  • Exploiting a position of authority
  • Manipulating students
  • Coercing participation
  • Favoritism
  • Inappropriate personal relationships
  • Emotional dependency
  • Financial exploitation
Boundary violations may result in disciplinary action.

7.PHYSICAL ASSISTS AND CONSENT

Mission Yoga School supports consent-based teaching practices. Physical assists may only occur when:

  • Consent has been obtained.
  • Students understand they may decline.
  • Consent may be withdrawn at any time.
  • Alternative instruction methods are available.
Participants shall respect all stated boundaries.

8.RESPECTFUL COMMUNICATION

Participants are expected to communicate professionally and respectfully.

  • Active listening
  • Constructive feedback
  • Courteous language
  • Professional disagreement
  • Insults
  • Personal attacks
  • Harassment
  • Threats
  • Humiliation
  • Bullying
  • Discriminatory remarks
  • Offensive jokes

9.ONLINE AND DIGITAL CONDUCT

Participants are expected to demonstrate professionalism in digital environments. This includes:

  • Online classes
  • Email communication
  • Messaging applications
  • Social media platforms
  • Communicate respectfully.
  • Protect confidential information.
  • Refrain from harassment or cyberbullying.
  • Avoid posting content that harms the Mission Yoga School community.

10.CONFIDENTIALITY

Participants may become aware of personal information shared during training activities. Such information should be treated respectfully and confidentially. Confidential information may not be disclosed without permission unless:

  • Required by law.
  • Necessary to prevent serious harm.
  • Required for safety concerns.

11.ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Mission Yoga School values honesty in learning and assessment.

  • Submit original work.
  • Properly acknowledge sources.
  • Complete assessments honestly.
  • Avoid plagiarism.
  • Avoid falsification of records.
  • Plagiarism
  • Cheating
  • Fabrication of attendance records
  • Misrepresentation of qualifications
  • Unauthorized collaboration
Academic misconduct may affect certification eligibility.

12.INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY

Course materials provided by Mission Yoga School remain the intellectual property of Mission Yoga School or their respective creators.

  • Reproduce materials without permission.
  • Record training sessions without authorization.
  • Distribute proprietary content.
  • Share educational resources outside approved uses.

13.SCOPE OF PRACTICE

Mission Yoga School teachers and trainers shall represent their qualifications honestly and provide only the services they are qualified and certified to perform. Teachers and trainers shall not engage in the unauthorized practice of medicine.

  • Diagnose a student’s physical or psychological condition;
  • Prescribe a medical treatment or recommend that a student reject a physician’s advice;
  • Give medical advice outside the scope of yoga instruction;
  • Abandon a student without making reasonable efforts to arrange alternative instruction.
Teachers shall refer students to qualified medical professionals or licensed complementary practitioners when appropriate.

14.FINANCIAL PRACTICES

Mission Yoga School teachers and staff shall conduct all financial matters with honesty, transparency, and integrity. Specifically, teachers and staff shall:

  • Discuss all fees and financial arrangements in a clear, straightforward, and professional manner;
  • Manage business affairs according to recognized standard business and accounting practices;
  • Avoid financial entanglements with students, including loans, gifts, or personal business relationships that could compromise professional judgment;
  • Comply with all applicable legal and business requirements;
  • Not receive or pay commissions for the referral of students without full disclosure.

15.SUBSTANCE USE POLICY

Participants must not attend training sessions while impaired by:

  • Alcohol
  • Illegal drugs
  • Misuse of prescription medication
  • Any substance affecting safe participation
Mission Yoga School reserves the right to remove individuals from activities if impairment is suspected.

16.PROHIBITED CONDUCT

The following conduct is prohibited:

  • Harassment
  • Sexual harassment
  • Sexual misconduct
  • Discrimination
  • Retaliation
  • Bullying
  • Threats
  • Violence
  • Theft
  • Property damage
  • Dishonesty
  • Academic misconduct
  • Breach of confidentiality
  • Unauthorized recording
  • Abuse of authority
This list is not exhaustive.

17.REPORTING CONCERNS

Concerns regarding violations of this policy may be reported to:

  • Students
  • Faculty
  • Staff
  • Witnesses
  • Third parties

Contact Information

Name: Mission Yoga School

Address: [School Address]

Email: [School Email]

Phone: [School Phone Number]

Good-faith reporting is encouraged.

18.INVESTIGATION PROCESS

Mission Yoga School will review reported concerns promptly and fairly.

  • Preliminary review
  • Interviews
  • Collection of evidence
  • Review of documentation
  • Review of digital communications
  • Consultation with relevant individuals
Mission Yoga School will determine appropriate action based on available information.

19.INTERIM MEASURES

Where necessary, Mission Yoga School may implement temporary measures during an investigation.

  • Schedule modifications
  • Communication restrictions
  • Alternative learning arrangements
  • Temporary suspension from activities
Interim measures do not constitute a finding of responsibility.

20.DISCIPLINARY ACTIONS

Violations of this policy may result in:

educational measures

  • Coaching
  • Additional training
  • Reflective assignments

administrative measures

  • Verbal warning
  • Written warning
  • Probation

programmatic measures

  • Removal from specific activities
  • Suspension
  • Dismissal from a program
  • Revocation of certification eligibility

professional measures

  • Removal from teaching responsibilities
  • Termination of affiliation with Mission Yoga School
Mission Yoga School reserves the right to determine appropriate sanctions based on severity and circumstances.

21.APPEALS

Individuals may appeal disciplinary decisions. Appeals must be submitted in writing within: Fourteen (14) calendar days of receiving the decision.

  • Significant procedural error
  • New evidence
  • Demonstrated bias or conflict of interest
Appeal decisions are final.

22.RECORDKEEPING

Mission Yoga School will maintain records relating to policy violations, investigations, disciplinary actions, and appeals in a secure and confidential manner. Access shall be limited to authorized personnel.

23.POLICY REVIEW

Mission Yoga School will review this policy annually and may revise it to ensure alignment with:

  • Yoga Alliance standards
  • Educational best practices
  • Legal requirements
  • Mission Yoga School values