Effective date: January 1, 2023
KRI CODE OF ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
Being a Teacher of Kundalini Yoga is a sacred calling. It is more than just teaching postures and kriyas; it is standing as a beacon of hope and a neutral servant of each student’s soul journey. It is a beautiful and deeply fulfilling calling.
Especially because a Kundalini Yoga Teacher may be interacting with students who are in a vulnerable state, it is critical for the entire profession of Kundalini Yoga Teachers to have a strong, enforceable Code of Ethics. This protects both students and teachers, and ensures that the powerful, positive transformations teachers can facilitate in students’ lives can be done professionally and safely.
Therefore, teachers of Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan® must be committed to applying strong ethical principles in their professional and personal lives, and this should be understood as intrinsic to their practice and teaching of yoga. This Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct (the Code) sets out prohibited behaviors and acceptable, recommended and required professional and ethical behaviors by which Teachers agree to conduct themselves. It is based upon core values intrinsic to the practice of yoga. A Teacher is responsible to be in compliance with the most current version of this Code found at epsweb.org, kriteachings.org and ikyta.org.
The Office of Ethics and Professional Standards (EPS) receives and addresses complaints regarding breaches of this Code. To learn more about EPS and how it serves our communities, see: www.epsweb.org. For details about how EPS addresses complaints, see the EPS Complaint Procedure.
Code Principle 1 requires adherence to applicable law. Kundalini Yoga teachers, trainers, and trainees (hereafter collectively referred to as “Teachers”) must abide by all local, state, provincial, federal, national, and international laws and regulations applicable in their location(s). A Teacher charged with a criminal offense may be placed on immediate Suspension pending the outcome of the criminal proceeding.
Under Code Principle 2, Kundalini Yoga Teachers must follow the KRI Scope of Practice policy. The Scope of Practice sets out standards of acceptable, recommended, required, and prohibited practices within a Kundalini Yoga teaching environment or event.
Under Code Principle 3, Kundalini Yoga Teachers must do no harm. Teachers will take reasonable steps to do no harm and will not intentionally or negligently cause harm to students, employees, peers, other teachers, or members of the public through any action or inaction.
Under Code Principle 4, Kundalini Yoga Teachers must follow the KRI Respectful Student-Teacher Relationships Policy. A Teacher recognizes that the student-teacher relationship has an inherent power imbalance and consciously avoids any relationship with a student that may be exploitative of this power dynamic in any way.
Under Code Principle 5, all Kundalini Yoga Teachers must follow the KRI Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation Policy. The policy prohibits harassment of any kind by a Teacher of any person, in person, through online activities, or by any other means. This policy also prohibits retaliation by a Teacher against anyone believed to be a participant, whether as a complainant or witness, in an EPS Complaint Procedure regarding a Teacher’s breach of this Code.
Under Code Principle 6, Kundalini Yoga Teachers must follow the KRI Sexual Misconduct Policy. Teachers must NOT intentionally or unintentionally cause harm via sexual misconduct — verbally, physically, or otherwise — to students, employees, peers, other teachers, or members of the public through any action.
Under Code Principle 7, Kundalini Yoga Teachers must follow the KRI Inclusion Policy. Teachers must not discriminate against anyone, and should actively include all individuals.
Under Code Principle 8, Kundalini Yoga Teachers must follow the KRI Communication Policy, and maintain honesty and integrity in communications. This principle includes a duty to both refrain from certain activities and to proactively and affirmatively make certain disclosures. This would include reporting a serious ethical violation or of this Code to EPS.
Under Code Principle 9, Kundalini Yoga Teachers must maintain professional responsibilities in all relationships with KRI, EPS, 3HO, IKYTA, National Kundalini Yoga Teacher Associations and other Entities related to the business of teaching Kundalini Yoga. For instance, a Teacher must: 1) conduct their Yoga teaching services in accordance with recognized business, employment, and accounting procedures and in compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements; 2) comply with all agreements, contracts, and licenses with students, employees, peers, other teachers, or KRI or any other Entities; and 3) cooperate with any EPS or KRI inquiry.
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I have read and understand the “KRI Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct” and the policies referenced therein: KRI Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation Policy, KRI Sexual Misconduct Policy, KRI Inclusion Policy, KRI Respectful Student-Teacher Relationships Policy, and the KRI Communication Policy. I understand that I am responsible for compliance with the most current version of the Code found on The Kundalini Research Institute’s website. I understand that a Teacher in breach of this Code may be subject to review by the Office of Ethics and Professional Standards. Violations of the Code can, depending upon severity, result in consequences, including prohibition from representing 3HO, IKYTA, KRI, and Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan® in any capacity as a Kundalini Yoga Teacher, termination of KRI Teacher Trainer status, and Termination of IKYTA Membership (Good Standing). By signing below, I attest to the above, and to understanding and agreeing to the policy that any final Decision involving a Suspension or Revocation will be a public document.