B.W.Y. Ethics and Code of Practice

Identifying and enhancing the moral and ethical basis of Yoga

Ethical standards comprise such values as integrity, responsibility, competence and confidentiality. BWY teachers and accredited teachers, in assenting to this Code, accept their responsibility to their students, colleagues, to society and to the BWY itself. In support of these principles, Yoga teachers subscribe to standards in the following areas:

1. Issues of responsibility
2 Issues of competence.

Traditional Ethics of Yoga

Yoga is founded on ethical principles and has its own built in code of ethics. This comes from the classical source of Astanga Yoga - the eight fold path. The first step on this path is the concept of Yama, giving us guidance on how we relate to others and the world around us. It has five aspects:

1. Ahimsa Non-violence. This means we should treat all others with respect, doing nothing to cause harm, physically or psychologically.
2. Satya Honesty/truthfulness. We should act in an open and honest way in all that we do and say.
3. Asteya Non-stealing. This refers to mis-appropriation of ideas as well as material theft.
4. Brahmacharya. Restraint, maintaining respect for oneself and others.
5 Aparigraha. Non-Greed-- not hankering after the achievements and possessions of others.

The above list encompasses all the issues we need to address as yoga teachers within modern society. These concepts are now presented in a framework that uses up to date language and relevant situations.

Issues of responsibility

1 Teachers must respect the rights, dignity and worth of every human being and their ultimate self-determination. Specifically, teachers must treat everyone equally, within the context of Yoga, regardless of sex, ethnic origin, religion or political persuasion.

2. The good Yoga teacher will be concerned primarily with the well-being, health and development of each individual student, respecting their limitations and reasons for coming to Yoga classes.

3. A key element in teaching Yoga is the development of independence. Students should be taught how to practice safely on their own and to take responsibility for their own development and self-determination.

4. Teachers are responsible for setting and monitoring boundaries in keeping professional relationships with their students. These relations rely heavily on mutual trust and respect and this means that the student should be made aware of the Teachers qualifications and experience. They should be given the opportunity to decline any aspect of practice they feel may be unhelpful.
5. Teachers should display commitment, initiative, honesty, integrity and a proper sense of responsibility, honoring the trust reposed in them by students, employers, colleagues and the general public.

6. Teachers should clarify in advance with students and /or employers the number of sessions, fees and methods of payment. They should also discuss with them the expected outcomes of the teaching.

7. Teachers should communicate and co-operate with other teachers and allied professionals in the best interest of their students. If a student attends class presenting possible contra-indications, they should be referred to their medical adviser for advice before proceeding with practice.

8. Advertising by teachers in respect of qualifications should be accurate and professionally restrained.

9. Yoga teachers shall not display any affiliation with an organisation in a manner that falsely implies accreditation by that organisation.

10. Yoga Teachers should refrain from public criticism of fellow teachers and other Yoga organisations. Differences of opinion should be negotiated with discretion and more serious disputes should be referred to the BWY.

11. Yoga Teachers inevitably gather a great deal of personal information about their students in the course of a working relationship. All such information must always be regarded as strictly confidential and kept as such.

12 The Yoga Teachers must consistently display high personal standards and project themselves in manner befitting the discipline, with their students, employers and members of the general public.

13. Personal appearance is one of individual taste but the Yoga teacher has an obligation to project an image of health, cleanliness and calm.

14. Yoga Teachers have a responsibility to ensure the safety of their students within the limits of their control. All reasonable steps should be taken to establish a safe working environment.

15. The work done and the manner in which it is done should be in keeping with the basic tenets of Yoga. The programmes taught should be suitable for the age, experience and ability of the groups.

Issues of Competence

1. Yoga Teachers shall confine their teaching to areas of Yoga in which they have studied, practiced and trained. They should not bring other disciplines into the Yoga class in which they have no experience or professional expertise.

2. Yoga Teachers must be able to recognise and accept when to refer students to other teachers, when those students would benefit from more experienced coaching or where more specialist application is required. It is the Teachers responsibility, as far as possible, to verify the competence and integrity of the person to whom they refer the student.

3. Yoga Teachers should regularly seek ways to increase their professional and personal development. They have a responsibility to keep abreast of developments and are asked to fulfil the In-Service Training requirements of the British Wheel of Yoga, which are designed to enhance their professional skills.

4. Yoga Teachers should welcome evaluation of their work by colleagues and be able to account to employers, students and the BWY for their actions.

5. Yoga Teachers have a responsibility to themselves and their students to maintain their own effectiveness, resilience and abilities and to know when their personal resources are so depleted as to make it necessary for them to seek help and/or withdraw from teaching, whether temporarily or permanently.