IKYTA members are held to a rigorous framework of professional and ethical standards. Membership in this association carries responsibility — not only to the teachings, but to every student, colleague, and community a certified teacher serves.
Why These Standards Exist
Kundalini Yoga is a powerful practice. The relationship between a teacher and a student requires trust, and that trust must be earned and protected. IKYTA requires every member to operate within a clearly defined ethical framework — not as a formality, but as a professional commitment that underpins the integrity of the entire global teacher community.
These standards are not self-imposed guidelines. They are the established policies of the Kundalini Research Institute (KRI) — the certifying body for all IKYTA members — and they apply to every KRI-certified Kundalini Yoga teacher worldwide, without exception.
As the global professional association for KRI-certified teachers, IKYTA upholds these standards across its membership and expects every member to know, understand, and abide by them as a condition of belonging to this community.
The KRI Ethical Framework
The following policies are authored and maintained by KRI. They define the conduct, boundaries, and professional responsibilities of all certified Kundalini Yoga teachers. Each document is available in multiple languages on the KRI website.
KRI Code of Ethics
The foundational document governing professional conduct for all KRI-certified teachers. Protects both students and teachers, and ensures that the transformative power of Kundalini Yoga is transmitted professionally and safely.
Anti-Harassment and Non-Retaliation Policy
Ensures that all Kundalini Yoga environments — including student-teacher relationships — are free from harassment and retaliation in any form.
Communication Policy
Requires all KRI-certified teachers, trainers, and trainees to maintain honesty and integrity in all communications — public, private, and professional.
Inclusion Policy
Requires all certified teachers to actively include all individuals and prohibits discrimination of any kind in the delivery and promotion of Kundalini Yoga.
Respectful Student-Teacher Relationships Policy
Defines the boundaries, responsibilities, and expectations governing all relationships between certified teachers, trainers, mentors, and their students or trainees.
Scope of Practice
Defines precisely what it means to teach Kundalini Yoga as taught by Yogi Bhajan®. Applies to every KRI-certified teacher and establishes the boundaries of the teaching practice.
Sexual Misconduct Policy
Defines sexual misconduct as any non-consensual or unwelcome sexual behavior toward any person, and establishes the standards and consequences that apply to all certified teachers.
Lifestyle Guidelines for Teachers of Kundalini Yoga as Taught by Yogi Bhajan®
A set of aspirational guidelines that reflect the spirit and philosophy of the Kundalini Yoga teachings. These are not ethical mandates — the integrity of the teachings is independent of any individual teacher’s personal choices — but they offer a framework for teachers who wish to deepen their alignment with the tradition.
How Ethical Complaints Are Handled
IKYTA does not adjudicate ethics complaints. All formal complaints regarding potential breaches of the KRI Code of Ethics are handled by the Office of Ethics and Professional Standards — an independent body that investigates and adjudicates complaints neutrally, separate from both KRI and IKYTA.
This independence is intentional. It ensures that every complaint is reviewed without institutional bias, and that both the person raising a concern and the teacher involved receive a fair and consistent process.
For information on how to submit a complaint or what to expect from the process, visit our Complaint Process page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Adherence to the KRI Code of Ethics and all related policies is a condition of IKYTA membership. These standards apply to every KRI-certified teacher, regardless of membership tier, country of residence, or years of experience.
Formal complaints are investigated by the Office of Ethics and Professional Standards, an independent body separate from IKYTA. If a violation is confirmed, consequences are determined through that process and may affect a teacher’s KRI certification status. For details, see our Complaint Process page.
Yes. KRI has translated the full suite of policies into multiple languages, including Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional). All language versions are available directly on the KRI website via the links above.
For general questions about how these standards apply to IKYTA membership, contact us at [email protected]. For questions specifically about KRI’s policies or the complaint process, visit the KRI website directly.
Continue Exploring Standards
Read about the professional conduct expectations, understand the complaint process, or review the Standards FAQ.