WE’RE A FAMILY-RUN ASHTANGA YOGA SHALA

When we were authorized with Level 2 by Guruji Sharath Jois back in January 2019, we signed a Code of Conduct that stated what follows:

We agree and undertake:
1. To teach the Ashtanga yoga method as taught by the SYC in Mysuru, India.
2. To maintain a yoga room or shala to allow for daily, preferably in the morning, Mysore-style practice.
3. To honor a weekly day off and the full/new moon day as rest days.
4. As an Authorised Level I teacher, teach the primary series only.
5. As an Authorised Level II teacher, teach the primary and intermediate series only.
6. To not provide or participate in any teacher training or workshop under any name (ie, Ashtanga Teacher Intensive, Teacher Training) unless approved by SYC.
7. To provide a safe and professional environment free from harassment or discrimination of any kind (including gender, ethnically, nationality or sexually based) and to respect the rights, personal integrity and dignity and privacy of each student.
8. To be respectful in conduct, speech and attire and attentive to local customs and traditions.
9. To follow all local government and national laws and regulations and best practices that pertain to yoga teaching, and any related business, I conduct.
10. That I am solely accountable for my own actions, behavior and speech, including anything which might be defined or perceived as abuse, harassment or otherwise improper, unethical, or illegal conduct.
11. To not display out of date SYC Authorization/Certification.
12. To provide current contact information to SYC, to be made available on the website-if any of the information I provide below is not current.
13. To prominently display a current Code of Conduct, which shall include the items listed above, in an area clearly visible to my students and on my personal and/or shala/studio website where I teach.

On top of that, we’d like to add the points that feel personal and important for us:

• To respect the full sovereignty of each individual.
• To not make any assumptions.
• Learning is built upon a strong foundation of trust between the student and teacher. This is established over time and through regular interaction in the Mysore classroom.
• To create a space where people can be free to feel safe inside their bodies and around others.
• As teachers, we hold ourselves to the same professional standards expected of any field of care. Entering into romantic or sexual relationships with students is never acceptable.
• The spirit of our shala is built on respect, collaboration, curiosity, consent, and safety. We value students’ privacy and independence, and we see each person as an active participant in their own process—not as consumers or empty vessels to be filled.
• We believe in a community-led project where everyone is encouraged to act responsibly and with awareness. Dialogue, mutual respect, and the intention to move beyond hierarchy are at the core of how we work together.
• Together, we bring over 15 years of committed practice, supported by clear structures of accountability. The program is intentionally kept small so that every student has direct, ongoing access to us, teachers who are committed to high professional standards and to supporting their wellbeing without personal agendas.