Out of respect for our students, our trainers, and our staff, we have until now refrained from making any public statements about the recent event that resulted in the removal of one student from our program.
Unfortunately, due to the use of fame and influence on social media to bully and intimidate both individuals and organizations, I feel it has become necessary to respond.
East+West Yoga is a Yoga Alliance–accredited school founded in 2016 by a young American yogi and an Indian teacher who grew up in the traditional yoga ashrams. Together, they sought to create a school that honors the traditional spirit and eastern philosophy of yoga while also preparing students to teach in modern studios and the western world.
When we first began, we were not registered with the Yoga Alliance, as we believed yoga was something free and independent of any governing body. In time, however, we came to respect the Yoga Alliance’s efforts to establish standards that elevate the quality of teaching while preserving the cultural heritage, philosophy, and traditions of yoga.
Since joining the Yoga Alliance in 2019, more than 2,000 students have graduated from our program. Some came to deepen their personal practice, others to heal and grow, and many with a passion to become lifelong learners and teachers of yoga. Today, more than 700 of our graduates are registered with the Yoga Alliance, and our school has earned over 380 publicly available reviews on our official page.
We are not perfect, but we work hard to ensure every student has a positive and successful training experience, leaving both certified and prepared to teach. Our website clearly states our mission and values: to honor the ancient traditions and philosophies of yoga while supporting each student on their journey. It is because of these values that students consistently choose East+West Yoga.
We are not a religious school, and we accept students from all faiths and beliefs. However, as part of the Yoga Alliance’s core curriculum requirements, nearly 20% of training hours are devoted to the study of the history of yoga, its sacred texts, and the philosophy behind the practice. These subjects are not taught to create or replace faith, nor are they worship-based. Instead, they provide cultural and philosophical context, helping establish the depth of character and values we believe every yoga teacher should embody.
The Terms and Conditions published on our website also make clear our expectations for all students. These include:
- Attendance & Certification Requirements – Students are expected to complete the required hours and curriculum as outlined by Yoga Alliance standards in order to graduate and receive certification.
- Conduct & Expectations – Students are required to maintain a respectful, professional, and cooperative attitude throughout the training. Disruptive or disrespectful behavior towards staff, trainers, or peers is not tolerated and can be grounds for removal from the program.
- Social Media & Unauthorized Content Sharing – Students may not share, post, or distribute unauthorized training content online. Any misuse of materials or damaging posts about our school or community may result in disciplinary action, up to and including legal remedies.
These policies exist to ensure fairness, accountability, and respect within our community, and they apply equally to every participant in our programs.
At this time, we do not wish to present the specific reasons the student was dismissed from the program. What we can share is that our staff worked hard to provide every opportunity for success. We offered multiple paths to help the student complete the course requirements and earn certification, but unfortunately, all of these offers were rejected. Dismissal is always a last resort, and our priority is to see every student thrive and graduate.
Our values are rooted in respect, authenticity, and integrity. We are committed to fostering a safe and supportive environment for our students and teachers. While we welcome open dialogue, we do not condone harassment, intimidation, or the misuse of platforms to cause harm.
We stand by our community, our trainers, and the integrity of our program. Our hope is to redirect the focus back to what matters most: the practice of yoga, the honoring of its traditions, and the cultivation of personal growth and respect within our community.
Read about us:
