Code of Ethics
The ethical principles that guide GOYA teachers and practitioners.
Introduction
Teaching yoga is a position of trust. Students come to their teachers seeking guidance, healing, and growth — often at vulnerable moments in their lives. GOYA’s Code of Ethics outlines the principles we expect all registered teachers and wellness practitioners to embody. These are not merely rules, but a framework for ethical practice that reflects the deeper values of yoga itself: ahimsa (non-harming), satya (truthfulness), and seva (service).
Adherence to this Code is a condition of maintaining a teacher or practitioner listing on GOYA. We review all credible reports of ethical violations and act accordingly.
Integrity in Teaching
Teachers must act with honesty and transparency in all aspects of their professional practice. This includes being clear about the style and level of class being offered, pricing and cancellation policies, and any potential contraindications for specific practices or techniques.
Teachers should not make unfounded medical claims about yoga, promise specific health outcomes, or present personal beliefs as universally applicable truths. Intellectual humility — acknowledging what you do not know — is itself an expression of integrity.
Student Safety and Boundaries
The physical and psychological safety of students is paramount. Teachers must obtain informed consent before offering hands-on adjustments, create environments where students feel comfortable declining touch, and never use physical contact as a means of control, discipline, or personal gratification.
Romantic or sexual relationships between teachers and current students are a serious ethical violation due to the inherent power imbalance. Teachers are also expected to maintain appropriate boundaries in digital communications and on social media. Exploitation of the teacher-student relationship in any form will result in removal from the GOYA directory.
Honest Representation of Credentials
Teachers must accurately represent their training hours, certifications, designations, and areas of specialisation at all times. This includes the name and accreditation status of the schools from which they trained.
Falsification or exaggeration of credentials is a fundamental breach of trust with prospective students and with the broader yoga community. GOYA verifies credentials where possible and will remove members found to be misrepresenting their qualifications. If your credentials change — for example, a certification lapses or a designation is revoked — you are obligated to update your profile promptly.
Continuing Education Commitment
Ethical teaching requires ongoing learning. GOYA encourages all teachers to pursue continuing education in their primary discipline as well as in adjacent areas such as anatomy, trauma-informed practice, cultural history, and accessible teaching methodologies.
GOYA’s CE Hours system exists to recognise and encourage this commitment. Submitting fabricated or unearned CE credits is a violation of this Code and may result in suspension of your GOYA designation and membership.
Accountability
We all make mistakes. Ethical practitioners acknowledge errors, apologise genuinely, make amends where possible, and take concrete steps to prevent recurrence. Defensiveness, deflection, or minimisation when facing a valid concern from a student is contrary to the values of this community.
GOYA provides a confidential channel for reporting ethical concerns about teachers or practitioners. Reports can be submitted to ethics@globalonlineyogaassociation.org. All reports are reviewed by our Ethics Committee and responded to within 14 business days.