TEACHER-STUDENT  RELATIONSHIP
It is the responsibility of the Teacher to maintain a conscious and professional relationship with students and with other Teachers. A Teacher recognizes that the teacher-student relationship involves a power imbalance. This is true even with a student who is no longer studying with the Teacher.
  1. A Teacher recognizes the implicit trust placed in him or her because of the unique power of the teacher-student relationship. A Teacher consciously avoids any type of romantic involvement with a student.
  2. All forms of sexual involvement with students are unethical, even if a student invites or consents to such behavior. Sexual behavior includes, but is not limited to, all forms of overt and covert seductive speech, gestures, and actions.
  3. A Teacher recognizes that the teacher-student relationship involves a power imbalance even when a student is no longer studying with the Teacher. Therefore a Teacher will use caution should they choose to enter into a romantic relationship with a former student.
  4. A Teacher never engages in harassment, abusive words or actions, or coercion of students or former students.
  5. Other than a student paying for yoga classes and training, all forms of financial involvement with students are discouraged, including but not limited to loans, gifts and business partnerships.
  6. The above points shall be in effect as long as the Teacher is in a teacher-student relationship and thereafter. If questions arise about this, it is recommended that a Teacher contact TOLKY to discuss their questions and consult with the Ethics Council if needed. 
  7. A Teacher never engages in harassment, abusive words or actions, or coercion of students or former students.
  8. A Teacher shows sensitive regard for the moral, social, and religious standards of students, and avoids imposing his or her personal beliefs on others.
  9. A Teacher will not advise a student to go against the advice of his or her health care provider.
  10. A Teacher realizes that he or she is a vehicle for these Teachings, never their source. A Kundalini Yoga Teacher does not initiate anyone as a disciple.
  11. A Teacher strives to build the student's connection to the teachings and to his or her own soul, rather than to any personality.
  12. If a Teacher is unable to continue the teacher-student relationship, the Teacher will connect the student to other appropriate Teacher resources in the Community.
  13. A Teacher treats all communication with students with respectful and appropriate confidentiality.
 
 
CLASS STRUCTURE
  1. A Teacher teaches kriyas (which includes postures, pranayam, mantras, meditations or sets) as they were taught by Yogi Bhajan, with the exception of reducing the timing of postures.
  2. A Teacher does not create kriyas (postures, mantras, meditations or sets.) A Teacher does not combine teachings or practices from other paths into a Kundalini Yoga kriya or class as taught by Yogi Bhajan.
  3. A Teacher acknowledges that they are part of the Golden Chain by beginning every class with the Adi Mantra, chanting “Ong Namo Guru Dev Namo” at least 3 times. Every class ends with singing the Long Time Sun and chanting Long Sat Nams.
  4. A Teacher is responsible to maintain the integrity and sacredness of the Kundalini Yoga Teachings.
  5. A Teacher does not exaggerate or misrepresent the benefits of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan®.
  6. In a Kundalini Yoga class, a Teacher wears appropriate, modest, clean white clothing to expand their aura.
  7. A Kundalini Yoga Teacher wears a white, natural fabric head covering to command the Sixth Chakra while teaching and for his or her personal protection when handling the powerful energies involved with teaching Kundalini Yoga.
  8. A Teacher upholds the yogic law “If you come empty handed, you will leave empty handed” by encouraging students to make an offering for Kundalini Yoga classes.
 
PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS
These guidelines are designed to uphold the quality of the Teachings and to be in compliance with all legal guidelines for appropriate representation of our services.
  1. A Teacher accurately represents his or her professional qualifications and certifications along with his or her affiliations and/or sponsorships from any organization(s).
  2. Announcements , social media posts, websites and brochures or any form of promotion promoting classes or courses based on the Teachings of Yogi Bhajan as taught by Tree of Life Kundalini Yoga, shall describe them and picture them with accuracy and grace.
  3. A Teacher will represent himself or herself, Tree of Life Kundalini Yoga, Yogi Bhajan, Nam Joti Kaur and any other trainers truthfully and accurately in all public communications.
 
TEACHERS IN COMMUNITY
  1. A Teacher supports the service of other Teachers through conscious communication that avoids negativity regarding the efforts of other Teachers.
  2. A Teacher speaks and acts  respectfully to other Kundalini Yoga Teachers, as well as Teachers of other yoga traditions (and health modalities).
  3. A Teacher does not knowingly solicit another Teacher’s students.
  4. A Teacher builds the unity of the Community by embracing diversity, willingness to collaborate and a commitment to act for the benefit of all.
  5. A Teacher cultivates the ethical integrity of our culture as Teachers by being alert to and seeking assistance for a Teacher involved in what appears to be a breach of these standards.
  6. At all times a Teacher’s behavior represents the purity and integrity that Jesus Christ exemplified. 
  7. At all times a Teacher shall acknowledge the lineage of the Golden Chain and the Teachings with respect and reverence.
  8. Any Teacher found liable or guilty in a civil or criminal court in which findings of fact or a judgement have been entered for moral turpitude, felony or fraud is subject to revoking of certification and having their name removed from the certified teacher’s directory.  
  9. Any Teacher whose actions are against the interests of TOLKY and which involve breach of fiduciary responsibility or financial misconduct is subject to discipline by certification review.
 
PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE
  1. A Teacher commits to and maintains a regular, daily spiritual practice that includes Kundalini Yoga and meditation as taught by Yogi Bhajan®.
  2. A Teacher commits to the continuous improvement of his or her professional knowledge and skills. He or she fulfills all training requirements developed and presented by TOLKY.
  3. A Teacher abstains from the use of, or dependency on, alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs (except for medical purposes.) A Teacher does not permit the use of alcohol, tobacco, or recreational drugs at any Kundalini Yoga course, class, or event.
  4. In the yogic tradition, a Teacher eats a vegetarian diet. A Teacher ensures that a vegetarian diet is served at any Kundalini Yoga course, class or event.
  5. A Teacher conducts his/her Yoga teaching services in accordance with recognized business and accounting procedures.
 
The purpose of this Code is to help Teachers serve in their purest consciousness and to protect our students, communities and organizations. If a Teacher is in breach of this Code he or she may be subject to review by the Ethics Council. Substantial violations of this Code (including changing the teachings, actions that may be harmful to students, or substance use or abuse) can result in discipline, including being prohibited from representing TOLKY in any capacity as a Kundalini Yoga Teacher. By signing this Code of Ethics and Professional Standards I understand and agree that any final decision involving a suspension or termination will become a public document.

Tree of Life Kundalini Yoga is cool.