Statement of Ethics
Yoga is a system of self-investigation, self-transformation and self-realisation. Its practices and lifestyle aim to integrate the body, mind, heart and spirit and awaken practitioners to their innate wholeness.
The role of a yoga professional is to guide and support students in their practice of yoga – to nurture the physical, emotional, psychological, social and spiritual well-being of students.
This Statement of Ethics guides yoga professionals in their work of supporting students’ yoga practice. It is based on the traditional yogic ethical principles, the yamas and niyamas, as outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras.
This Statement of Ethics reflects the timeless, living principle that our essential nature is awake, aware, compassionate and peaceful.
Code of Professional Conduct
YogaNZ’s Code of Professional Conduct makes explicit the standards of ethical and professional behaviour expected of registered YogaNZ teachers by their peers and the community.
This code is a practical application of YogaNZ’s Statement of Ethics. It offers guidance to teachers in their role of supporting students in their practice of yoga.
This Code applies to all members of YogaNZ. It ensures yoga students and the community are aware of the level of professional behaviour required of YogaNZ members.
Scope of Practice
A registered Yoga Professional may pursue any activity that falls within the Scope of Practice.
YogaNZ registration is based on verification of initial and continuing education. Some Yoga Teachers will hold additional qualifications that complement the scope of Yoga Teaching, which will permit such practitioners an extended Scope of Practice, for example being a registered psychologist, physiotherapist, doctor, naturopath etc. Such extended scope is beyond normal Yoga Teaching practice and is to be regulated by the scope and codes of the professional registering body of other such disciplines. The duty of care of a Yoga Teacher is to ensure the safety of a student at all times and to refer to a more appropriate therapist or medical practitioner when the student presents with symptoms outside the expertise of the teacher.
