Joining Agreement

In the spirit of preserving and guarding ancient undiluted sacred teachings, traditions and lineages of yoga, International Yoga Alliance (IYA) roots its code of conduct to the Yamas and Niyamas in maintaining quality, safety levels of training, integrity, non-discriminatory and inclusive practices, which are values that we advocate in the practice of yoga in all aspects of life. In the application and practice of those values we require all Yoga Aspirants to abide by our policies and codes of conduct.

Similar to the way that water should flow, our policies will continue to improve to serve the best interests and protection of our community.

The practice of ‘oneness’ is a key value that IYA aspires to instill in every Yoga Aspirant in addition to the standards, quality, and preservation of undiluted and sacred ancient teachings, traditions and lineages. In representing IYA in building a collective community in practice of oneness in human consciousness, achieved through self-observation and self-conduct, it is also an ethical commitment to maintain integrity and accountability as well as respecting every living being.

Understanding responsibilities as a Yoga Aspirant as defined by highest standards of ethics and professionalism in communion of upholding the sacred undiluted ancient teachings with an open mind, cultivating the spirit of oneness as protectors of undiluted ancient yoga teachings with roots dating from 5000 years ago. 

International Yoga Alliance (IYA) Code of Conduct applies to every IYA Yoga Aspirant as outlined by our   requirements, the expectation of reasonable manner, and the prohibition of any acts of misconduct mentioned below to all Yoga Aspirants that are holding or are in the process of applying for any credentials from IYA:

Registered Yoga International Teacher (RYIT)

Registered Yoga International School (RYIS)

In agreeing to, and in acknowledging this agreement, Yoga Aspirants are automatically bound to ethical behaviors by agreeing to appropriate self- conduct in instilling the core values of IYA to the practice of yoga. The acceptance of this integral part of the agreement is in addition to the expected standards in IYA Teaching & Practice Scope and other IYA policies that may be subjected to revision and updates from time to time.

The applicability of this extension of policy applies to all International Yoga Alliance Yoga Aspirants in any form, context, environment or location where a Yoga Aspirant presents themselves (or is presented) as a teacher, or educator (teacher, trainer, mentor), including, but not limited to: group or target audience and private yoga instruction; yoga instruction offline and online; shalas, ashrams, schools, centers and teacher trainings, studios, gymnasiums, fitness clubs, other schools and universities, medical facilities, group homes, prisons, public spaces, festivals, retreats; and all digital forms, online platforms (private and public) which extends to social media. Other private meetings include any meeting or form of practice between a teacher and a student, and is also considered an interaction with a target group of students.

It is the responsibility and duty of all Yoga Aspirants to adopt best practice and self- conduct (refer to Yoga Teacher Ethics & Code of Conduct (YTEC) & Yoga School Code of Conduct (YSCC). Violation of any terms in the YTEC & YSCC, may result in further investigation which may result in: suspension, retraction, cancellation, withdrawal, and forfeiting of the obtained credentials from International Yoga Alliance (IYA). Strong practice of ethics should be applied not only in the professional environment but also in personal lives and be suitably representative of an IYA Yoga Aspirant.

  1. Abuse includes verbal and non-verbal in all communications: email, text messages, phone calls, voice notes recordings, direct messages, WhatsApp, social media platforms, Twitter, personal blogs.

  2. All acts of abuse apply to all Yoga Aspirants and the community and affiliates of IYA.

  3. Abuse is not limited to communication but also to acts of abuse verbally and non- verbally to peers, students, Yoga Aspirants which extends to the community and other affiliates of IYA.

  4. Harassment by a Yoga Aspirant directly or indirectly to any person based on age, gender, gender identity, pronoun use, sexual orientation, religion, culture, race, ethnicity, creed, beliefs, gender identity, physical and personal appearance, body condition, mental condition, socio-economic status, marital status and political views.

  5. All acts of harassment include verbal and non- verbal, physical and non-physical which extends to any given environment which also includes digital environment. Forms of harassment in all manner by a Yoga Aspirant of any person, either personally, sexually and inappropriate physical contact (verbal & physical) threatening, teasing, trolling, intimidating, false accusations and allegations, hate speech, false claims on suffering, pain and grievances, manipulation, blaming, satire, graphic depiction, slurs, denigrating jokes, and display of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group based on their protected characteristics.

  6. Acts of retaliation includes harassing, threatening and intimidating or any other conduct that would cause a reasonable person to be discouraged from engaging in an activity protected under this Policy. Malicious and/or intentional interfering with, threatening, or harming other Yoga Aspirants image or reputation even in the event of during, after and before the report or investigation. Decision and remedy of a report of prohibited conducts under this policy response to and/or on account of the report of the prohibited conducts. This provision applies to reports made or information provided in good faith, and in a chronological and factual manner.

  7. All the above-mentioned misconducts are a serious violation of the agreed Yoga Teacher Ethics & Code of Conduct (YTEC) and Yoga School Code of Conduct (YSCC). International Yoga Alliance (IYA) takes these misconducts seriously which may result in suspension, retraction, cancellation, withdrawal, and forfeiting of obtained credentials to Yoga Aspirants who have been granted or are in the process of being granted credentials. IYA reserves the right to pursue investigation if required based on the decision of a panel of the committee.

  8. International Yoga Alliance (IYA) reserves the right to immediately suspend any Yoga Aspirant’s credentials and application process for the duration of any pending law enforcement investigation, criminal or civil legal proceedings, or an internal investigation for any failure to adhere, respect and accept International Yoga Alliance (IYA) codes of conduct. An agreed reasonable period to respond will be considered during or after the report and any further investigations if deemed necessary. Yoga Aspirants will be notified formally in writing of any reports, remedy, resolutions and final decision by the committee. All Yoga Aspirants should agree not to make any claim or hold International Yoga Alliance (IYA) responsible for any losses or damage that they may incur in the event of revocation of the credentials granted or during an application process.