Our Training Policies

Our program expects students to be on time for class, after breaks, and after lunch. Please let our faculty know if you will be late.

Students are required to have 100% attendance. Students are responsible for contacting the faculty to arrange to either reschedule missed hours to make up any course material they have missed due to illness.

Students recognize that, if they miss training hours that they have not made up, they will not graduate from the program.

ATTENDANCE

Each training day students are checked-in via our electronic schedule in Wellness Living to track attendance. At the end of the training the school runs an attendance report per student. Students are responsible for ensuring missed lectures are made up by contacting lead teachers.

RUNNING LATE

It is not acceptable for students to be late for class times. Our policy is that our doors will be locked at the beginning of the class time. In case of emergency, students are allowed to miss one class if running late. If a student is late, they will miss the lecture and it will be their responsibility to make up the time by either sitting in the next course lecture, taking extra physical classes at Elements Studio, or handing in extra reports to make up for the lost time. The student is responsible for contacting their mentor immediately when late to catch up with this content. Students will not achieve certification if they have missed classes due to running late.

MISSING TRAINING HOURS

Graduation from our program requires the student’s attendance for 100% of training sessions. A maximum of 8 hours may be missed for acceptable reasons if arranged in advance and approved by the program director before your absence. We will provide make-up sessions totaling 8 hours included from the price of tuition. The student must schedule make-up sessions with a lead facilitator.

Acceptable reasons to miss classes are temporary sickness (i.e. fever, cold, headache) or absolute emergency calls from home or work. Please see our COVID policy for information that differs from general illness. No matter the reason, all absences must be informed and approved in advance by our program director before missing each class. Leaving class before class ends also falls under the Missing Training Hours section of Attendance Policy.

In the case that a student missed training hours over maximum hours allowed by school, even though with acceptable reasons and advanced notices, school may decide that the student needs to retake the course to complete training hours as required by Yoga Alliance.

We do not accept unapproved absences and they may result in dismissal from the program without refund. In this case, graduation will be at the sole discretion of the program director.

COVID-19

Due to COVID-19, attendance policy may differ. A student who tests positive for COVID and must isolate may miss more than the allotted 8 hours of attendance. In this case students, who must show proof of positive test (through online confirm email after registering RAT test on the Queensland Government website) – will need to catch up on missed content through:

• Live streaming lectures from home,
• Reading manual content missed over weekend,
• Hand in a written report summarising chapters missed (1000 word minimum per chapter missed),
• Following up with a mentor to ensure up to date with content missed.

In some cases, students may need to re-sit lectures during the following program to ensure they are up to date before obtaining certification of the course.

WITHDRAWAL POLICY

If a student wishes to withdraw from our program for any reason, they must first contact the program director to discuss their reasons for withdrawal. Fees paid are non-refundable when students decide to withdraw due to personal reasons.

TERMINATION FROM PROGRAM

Elements may decide to terminate any student’s participation in the program if:
false or omission of information provided in the admission process that materially affects the program (i.e. omitted pre-medical conditions or other health conditions, false identity, etc.):

• a student missed more than 10 hours of the training;
• a student is absent for more than 2 consecutive days without contacting the program director;
• the student fails to make timely payments of tuition (7 days after course starts/as arranged in full or via payment plan commencement);
• a student who appears to have mental or emotional instability and has displayed disruptive behaviour.

If the program decides to end the student’s participation in the program due to the stated reasons above, the student is not entitled to any prior payments or fees. All prior payments and fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.

No refunds will be given if the school removes a student from the program for bad conduct. Bad conduct is violation of the School Policy, Student’s Code of Conduct, gossip, harassment, bullying, or any other behaviour that is inappropriate or disruptive to the welfare of the program or to fellow students.

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

In order to receive a Certificate of Completion, the student is required to have 200 contact hours and a minimum of 20 non-contact hours. Elements Teacher Training program staff is available to fulfil deficit contact hours. Graduation requirements include:

• All necessary work requirements handed in prior to assessment date,
• Successful completion of written and practical assessment ,
• Tuition paid in full,
• Successful completion of community class.

If a student does not complete any of the above, certification will not be granted. It is the students responsibility to contact mentors to ensure graduation is successful. Elements Teacher Training does not issue Yoga Alliance Certification. Elements Teacher Training only issues the 200-hour Teacher Training Certificate that qualifies you to register with Yoga Alliance.

OUR CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

• 100% attendance
• Pre-Homework handed in via online learning system
• 3 x Class Observation reports / observing at Elements Studio
• TT Homework Book filled out by training end date
• Community Class Theme + Sequence written + approved
• Pass your written exam / written assessment
• Pass your practical teaching exam / sequence + teach a 30min class
• Participate in 20 Elements studio classes (sign off each class)
• Deliver 1 x 60min Community Class with your mentor
• Teacher Training reflection report (500 words min)
• Tuition paid in full

In any case of the above not being fulfilled, please refer to a mentor for a detailed action plan specific to missed content or unsuccessful assessments and community classes.

CERTIFICATION POLICY

Certification will be provided to students upon completion of the program, in accordance with the Schools Policy and Student’s Code of Conduct. In special cases of program incompletion, Elements holds the right to make a final decision. Elements holds the right to ask a student to leave the training without certification or decide not to give certificate to a student upon completion, if he or she violates any School Policy or Code of Conduct.

Our Code of Conduct is intended to provide specific standards to cover most situations encountered by our Yoga Teachers. Its primary goal is the welfare and protection of our students, teachers, yoga community, and the public. It articulates the ethical standards that our teachers must follow. The Code of Conduct is intended to elevate the professionalism and integrity of our yoga teachers by adopting uniform standards for behaviour yet recognizing the diversity of the many traditions of the teaching and practice of Yoga.

FINANCIAL PRACTISES

Teachers will be honest, straightforward, fair, and conscientious in conducting all of their business affairs. Teachers will seek to:

1. comply with all legal and business requirements that apply to their business;
2. ensure all advertisements relating to the benefits of yoga are accurate, fair, and not misleading;
3. treat employees, assistants, students, colleagues, and other wellness businesses fairly, transparently and honestly in the course of all business dealings; and
4. follow sound environmental and sustainable practices 

PROFESSIONAL GROWTH / CONTINUING EDUCATION

Teachers shall dedicate themselves to the continuing study and practice of Yoga, including Asana, Meditation, and theory.

Teachers shall maintain and improve their professional knowledge and competence, strive for professional excellence through regular assessment of their personal and professional strengths and weaknesses, and through continued education and training. Teachers shall stay current with new developments in Yoga through their personal practice and study.

TEACHER-STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS

Teachers shall treat their students with respect and with regards to their individuality, dignity, and privacy.

Teachers shall commit to promoting the physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being of their students. Teachers shall cause no harm to their students, shall commit to practising ahimsa, and strive to alleviate the suffering of all beings.

Teachers shall create and maintain a safe, clean, comfortable, and positive environment for the practice of yoga.

The relationship between a yoga teacher and a student is based on trust. To establish and maintain that trust, the teacher must be polite, considerate, and honest with their students. Teachers should practice good communication with their students. Teachers should listen attentively to students, respect their point of view, beliefs and culture, and should not allow their beliefs and values to adversely influence their relationship with their students. Teachers should avoid imposing their beliefs on others, although they may express them when appropriate in the class.

Teachers recognize that their teachings may lead to physical contact with students. Touch will be used only with the students’ consent and with their well-being in mind. 

Teachers shall not engage in behavior, comments, or humor that is offensive to their students because of its sexual content or reference to gender or sexual orientation.

INTEGRITY

Teachers shall uphold the highest of moral standards. Teachers shall strive to ensure that their intentions, actions, and speech are based on honesty, compassion, selflessness, trustworthiness, and transparency.

Teachers recognize that the process of learning is never complete, and they shall avoid portraying themselves as “enlightened” or “spiritually advanced.” Teachers recognize that they are walking on the spiritual path along with their fellow teachers and students. Teachers shall cultivate an attitude of humanity in their teaching and dedicate their work to something greater than themselves.

SCOPE OF PRACTICE

Teachers shall represent their qualifications honestly and provide only the services they are qualified and certified to perform. 

Teachers shall not diagnose their student’s physical or psychological condition.

Teachers shall not give medical advice. Teachers shall not recommend treatment, diagnose a condition, or suggest that a student disregard medical advice. Teachers shall refer their students to medical doctors or complimentary licensed professionals when appropriate.

CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION

Teachers shall respect and protect the welfare of all of their students or clients. Teachers shall keep all personal information disclosed by their students or clients strictly confidential. All discussions among teachers concerning students or clients shall be conducted in secure, non-public environments.

Teachers shall not disclose personal information belonging to a student or client except (a) to comply with the law or the order of a court; (b) to prevent bodily harm or danger to the client or to others; or (c) where the information has already been disclosed to the public. Teachers will obtain the consent of students before audio or video recording in class.

INTER-PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Teachers are part of the health care and well-being community and should strive to develop and maintain relationships within the community for the benefit of their students and their professional development. Teachers shall conduct themselves in an honourable manner in their relations with their fellow Yoga Teachers and other wellness practitioners. Teachers shall work to build the unity of their community by embracing diversity, collaboration and commitment for the benefit of all.

ADVERTISING AND PUBLIC COMMUNICATIONS

Teachers shall not make false, deceptive, or fraudulent statements or advertisements concerning:

(i) their training, experience, or competence;
(ii) their academic degrees or credentials
(iii) their institutional affiliations
(iv) their classes, workshops, and teacher trainings
(v) the scientific or clinical basis for the success of their services
(vi) their fees
(vii) statements involving sensationalism, exaggeration or superficiality
(viii) an intent to exploit a student’s fears or emotions or to create unjustified expectations for cures or results.

YOGA EQUALITY

Teachers will welcome, accept, and support all students regardless of religion, gender, sexual orientation, language, nationality, political, or cultural background.

Teachers will embrace yoga equity. Teachers shall seek to have an awareness and a commitment to making yoga more equitable, inclusive, accessible and diverse. This encompasses diversity, inclusion and accessibility in yoga. Teachers will make the conscious decision to address each of these issues thoughtfully and intentionally throughout their work in restoring equity to the yoga community.

Teachers will emphasise the importance of learning, teaching, and practising yoga honestly, which means promoting equity, reducing harm, honouring and leveraging cultural differences, and fostering diversity and inclusion in all areas of yoga while honouring the integrity of yoga’s cultural and historical roots.

Upon acceptance into Elements Studio 200HR RYT Training, the applicant must pay a non-refundable deposit of $500 to hold the applicant’s place in the program.

The deposit is non-refundable. In the event of injury or illness the student can transfer to another course date.

If a student must withdraw from the program for special circumstances prior to commencement, Elements Studio may give a partial refund of monies paid to the student in the exercise of its discretion.

The program will not give any refunds or credits after the training starts. The program reserves the right to cancel any training before it begins. In that case any payments applicants have made will be refunded in full.

Tuition must be paid in full before the course Completion Date. Certification will not be granted until tuition is paid in full.

Special cases. In case of student prolonged illness or accident, death in the family, or other circumstances that make it impractical to complete the course, the school shall make a settlement which is reasonable and fair to both.

REPORTING OF POLICY VIOLATIONS

We encourage anyone who has been the subject of sexual misconduct or any other action that violates our policies and Code of Conduct to report the incident to the Studio Manager (henceforth referred to as the “reviewing body”).

The report should contain the following information:

• Your full name;
• Your email and phone number;
• The name of the person who the grievance is against;
• A description of the alleged policy violation;
• The date and location of the policy violation;
• Names and contact information of any witnesses with first-hand knowledge of the situation; and,
• Any other credible evidence that is available to support the grievance.

In the interest of fairness and privacy, all reports must be made by the person who has personally experienced the misconduct. We will not investigate a matter based upon a third-party report of misconduct.

All reports must be made in good faith based on information the person reporting the incident reasonably believes to be accurate.

We may request additional information from the person reporting the incident throughout the course of review of the report.

We will take appropriate action to ensure compliance with our policies. The reviewing body will impose any sanctions that it feels are fair, just, and reasonable under all circumstances.

We will not allow anyone to retaliate against any person for making a report in good faith or providing information in connection with an investigation into an alleged violation.

Any information provided during a grievance report review will be treated on a confidential basis. Similarly, any actions that are taken in response to the report will also be confidential.

We do not permit managers, employees, teachers, independent contractors, students, or others in the workplace to harass any other person because of age, gender (including pregnancy), race, ethnicity, culture, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, socioeconomic status, genetic information, or any other basis proscribed by law.

Harassment is unwelcome verbal or non-verbal conduct, based upon a person’s protected characteristic, that (i) denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward the person because of the characteristic and which affects their employment opportunities or benefits; (ii) has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with their work performance; (iii) enduring the offensive conduct becomes a condition of continued employment; or (iv) has the purpose or effect of creating a work environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or abusive.

Harassment includes epithets, slurs, name calling, negative stereotyping, insults, intimidation, ridicule, threatening, intimidating or hostile acts, denigrating jokes, and display in the workplace of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group based on their protected characteristic. Petty slights, annoyances, and isolated minor incidents may not rise to the level of harassment.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

We do not tolerate sexual harassment in our studio. Sexual harassment refers to any unwelcome sexual attention, sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, visual, or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

(a) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment;

(b) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual;

(c) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance; or

(d) such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment.

Examples of sexual harassment include unwanted and unnecessary physical contact; offensive remarks (including unwelcome comments about appearance); obscene jokes or other inappropriate use of sexually offensive language; the display in the studio of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; and unwelcome sexual advances by teachers, students, customers, clients, or other visitors to a studio. Non-physical gesture, behaviour, unnecessary physical contact, verbal suggestion, or innuendo may constitute sexual harassment.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT

We prohibit sexual misconduct in our studio. Sexual misconduct is any unsolicited and unwelcome sexual advance including requests for sexual favors, sexual touching, and verbal, visual, or physical conduct that creates a sexually hostile environment in a yoga class or studio.

Sexual misconduct also arises if a teacher engages in conduct that has the purpose or result of requiring a student to submit to such conduct to obtain any benefit or privilege relating to the study or teaching of yoga.

While it is not possible to list all the circumstances that may constitute sexual misconduct, the following are examples of misconduct:

• Sexual advances whether they involve physical touching or not;
• Sexual epithets, jokes, written or verbal references to sexual conduct, gossip regarding one’s sex life, comments on an individual’s body, sexual activity, deficiencies, or prowess;
• Displaying sexually suggestive objects, pictures, cartoons;
• Unwelcome leering, whistling, brushing against the body, sexual gestures, suggestive or insulting comments;
• Comments or conjecture about a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity;
• Inquiries into one’s sexual activities;
• Sexually oriented asana adjustments or touch; and
• Discussion of one’s sexual activities.

ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN TEACHERS & STUDENTS

Teachers shall avoid getting into personal or sexual relationships with students that may result in the impairment of their professional judgment or that may compromise the integrity of their teaching. If a relationship begins to develop, the teacher should bring it to Studio Management.

Elements Studio will not retaliate against any person for having reported or threatened to report harassment, discrimination, retaliation, or violations of our Code of Conduct or polices, or for participating in an investigation into any of the foregoing. Anyone who retaliates against a person will be subjected to disciplinary action, up to and including termination.

We encourage any person — including employees, non-employees, and students — who believe they have been subject to retaliation to inform a supervisor or manager.

We have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment or sexual misconduct. We encourage anyone who has been subject to this behaviour to report it to the human resources department or school management. We will do everything possible to ensure that you are not retaliated against by anyone because you have reported misconduct.