Do’s and Don’ts During Your Stay at Himalayan Yoga Academy
Please read the following guidelines carefully before submitting your application or arriving at Himalayan Yoga Academy. Every student and retreat participant is expected to understand and agree to these guidelines. Guests may also be requested to sign an acknowledgement form during check-in.
Himalayan Yoga Academy welcomes students from different countries, cultures, religions and personal backgrounds. We believe that everyone joining our academy comes with a sincere interest in yoga, healing, meditation, self-discovery and spiritual growth.
Living and studying in a residential yoga academy can be a deeply transformative experience. It may also involve physical, emotional and mental challenges. We encourage students to approach these experiences with patience, maturity and an open mind.
Our guidelines are not intended to create unnecessary restrictions. They are designed to maintain a peaceful, respectful, safe and focused environment for everyone.
1. Attendance and Participation
All scheduled classes, lectures, practical sessions, meditation practices, examinations and group activities are considered part of the training and should be attended regularly.
Students are expected to arrive on time and remain present for the complete class.
Absence may be permitted in cases of illness, injury or another genuine emergency. The student should inform the course coordinator or responsible teacher as early as possible.
Repeated absence, late arrival or lack of participation may affect the student’s eligibility to receive certification.
2. Commitment to the Program
Yoga teacher training and other professional courses require dedication, discipline and active participation.
Students are expected to complete assignments, practical demonstrations, teaching exercises, self-study and other course requirements within the given timeframe.
Himalayan Yoga Academy reserves the right to withhold certification when a student:
- Does not complete the required training hours
- Is repeatedly absent from classes
- Does not complete assignments or examinations
- Demonstrates professional misconduct
- Disrespects teachers, staff members or other students
- Does not show adequate commitment to the program
A certificate is awarded for successful completion of the course and is not automatically guaranteed only because course fees have been paid.
3. Alcohol, Drugs and Intoxicating Substances
The possession or consumption of alcohol, recreational drugs or other intoxicating substances is strictly prohibited within the academy premises.
Students must not attend classes, meals or academy activities while under the influence of alcohol or mind-altering substances.
Smoking is not permitted inside bedrooms, classrooms, yoga halls, dining spaces or shared indoor areas. Students should follow the academy’s designated smoking policy where applicable.
Any serious violation may result in immediate dismissal from the program without a refund. Activities involving illegal substances may also be reported to the appropriate local authorities.
4. Vegetarian Food Policy
Himalayan Yoga Academy provides fresh vegetarian meals as part of its residential programs.
The consumption or storage of meat, fish or other non-vegetarian food is not permitted within the academy premises.
Students with allergies, intolerances or important dietary requirements should inform the academy before arrival. We will make reasonable efforts to support genuine dietary needs, but we may not be able to accommodate every personal preference.
Students are encouraged to eat mindfully, avoid wasting food and maintain cleanliness in the dining area.
5. Silence and Quiet Hours
Silence is an important part of yogic and spiritual practice.
Students are requested to maintain silence or speak very softly during designated silence periods, early mornings, meditation sessions, mealtimes when instructed and late evening hours.
Quiet hours are generally observed from 10:00 p.m. until the beginning of the morning program.
During quiet hours, students should avoid loud conversations, music, telephone calls, videos or any activity that may disturb others.
Students sharing rooms should be especially considerate of their roommates’ sleeping, studying and personal-practice schedules.
6. Respectful Conduct
Every participant must behave respectfully toward teachers, staff members, volunteers, local community members and fellow students.
Harassment, bullying, discrimination, threatening behaviour, violence, sexual misconduct or repeated disruption will not be tolerated.
Students are expected to respect personal boundaries and avoid making others uncomfortable through inappropriate comments, unwanted physical contact or intrusive behaviour.
Any concern should be reported privately to the course coordinator, academy manager or another responsible staff member.
7. Teacher–Student Boundaries
The relationship between a teacher and student should remain professional, respectful and focused on learning.
Physical adjustments may be used during yoga classes to support alignment and safe practice. Students may inform the teacher at any time if they do not wish to receive hands-on adjustments.
Students should also communicate immediately if an adjustment feels uncomfortable, painful or inappropriate.
Teachers and students are expected to maintain appropriate boundaries throughout the program.
8. Appropriate Clothing
Students should wear clean, comfortable and culturally respectful clothing within the academy.
During yoga classes, clothing should allow safe movement while appropriately covering the chest, midriff, upper thighs and private areas.
Very revealing clothing is not suitable in classrooms, meditation halls, dining spaces, temples, monasteries or during cultural visits.
Nepal is culturally diverse and spiritually significant. Students are requested to dress respectfully when visiting temples, monasteries, heritage sites and local communities.
Shoes should be removed before entering yoga halls, meditation rooms and other designated sacred or practice spaces.
9. Mobile Phones and Electronic Devices
Mobile phones must be kept switched off or on silent mode during:
- Yoga classes
- Meditation sessions
- Philosophy lectures
- Sound-healing sessions
- Ceremonies
- Examinations
- Group discussions
- Meals, when silent or mindful eating is being observed
Phones, laptops, tablets, cameras and recording devices should not be used in the classroom without permission from the teacher.
Students are encouraged to reduce unnecessary screen time and use their stay as an opportunity for deeper connection, reflection and self-study.
Urgent telephone calls should be taken outside classrooms and shared practice areas.
10. Photography, Video and Audio Recording
Prior permission is required before photographing or recording teachers, students, classes, treatments, ceremonies, course materials or academy activities.
Some teachings, demonstrations and training materials may not be recorded because they are protected educational content or because recording could disturb the learning environment.
Himalayan Yoga Academy may take photographs and videos during courses, retreats, excursions and graduation ceremonies. These images may be shared with participants and may also be used for the academy’s website, social media, brochures or promotional materials.
Students who do not wish to appear in promotional photography or video should submit a written request during registration or upon arrival. We will make reasonable efforts to respect the request, especially for individual and close-up images.
Participants should not commercially publish, resell or present academy training materials as their own without written permission.
11. Internet and Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi may be available for students, but the connection can be affected by weather, electricity interruptions, technical problems or limitations in local internet infrastructure.
Himalayan Yoga Academy does not guarantee uninterrupted or high-speed internet access.
Students are requested to use the internet responsibly and avoid large downloads, continuous streaming or activities that reduce access for other guests.
Participants who require constant high-speed internet for professional work should make their own backup arrangements, such as purchasing a local SIM card and mobile-data package.
12. Accommodation and Room Conduct
Students are expected to keep their bedrooms, bathrooms and shared spaces clean and organised.
Please do not move beds, cupboards, tables or other furniture without permission.
Candles, incense, cooking appliances, heaters or other potential fire hazards should not be used in bedrooms unless specifically authorised.
Students should switch off lights, water taps, heating devices and electrical equipment when leaving their rooms.
Room changes are subject to availability and may involve an additional charge.
Visitors are not permitted inside student accommodation without prior approval from academy management.
13. Damage to Property
Students are responsible for academy property provided for their use, including furniture, yoga equipment, books, singing bowls, instruments, bedding and room facilities.
Any damage caused through carelessness, misuse or inappropriate behaviour may be charged to the responsible student.
Normal wear and tear will not be charged.
Students should report damaged or unsafe equipment immediately rather than continuing to use it.
14. Personal Belongings
Students are responsible for their passports, money, jewellery, electronic devices and other personal belongings.
Himalayan Yoga Academy is not responsible for items that are lost, misplaced, left unattended or damaged.
Guests are encouraged to use available locks or secure storage and avoid carrying unnecessary valuables.
Any lost property found on the premises should be handed to reception or academy management.
15. Health and Medical Information
Students must provide accurate information about relevant medical conditions, injuries, allergies, pregnancy, mental-health concerns, prescribed medication or physical limitations that could affect their participation.
This information allows our teachers and staff to provide safer guidance. It will be handled respectfully and shared only when necessary for the student’s wellbeing.
Students should consult a qualified healthcare professional before participating if they have a serious health condition or are uncertain whether a course is suitable for them.
Himalayan Yoga Academy does not provide emergency hospital care. When necessary, we can assist students in contacting a clinic, hospital or medical professional. Medical consultations, medicines, tests, transportation and hospital expenses are normally the student’s responsibility unless otherwise stated.
Students are strongly advised to have comprehensive travel and medical insurance.
16. Yoga Practice and Personal Responsibility
Yoga, pranayama, meditation, cleansing practices and other techniques should be practised according to the instructions of the teacher.
Students should not force themselves into postures, breathing practices or techniques that create sharp pain, dizziness, severe discomfort or distress.
Every individual has a different body, medical history and level of experience. Students must practise with awareness and inform the teacher about any difficulty.
Participation is voluntary, and students are responsible for respecting their own physical and emotional limits.
Himalayan Yoga Academy is not responsible for injuries or complications resulting from ignoring instructions, concealing medical information, practising without supervision or attempting techniques beyond one’s capacity.
17. Ayurveda and Wellness Treatments
Ayurvedic consultations, massages, detoxification practices and wellness treatments offered through Himalayan Yoga Academy are intended to support general wellbeing and traditional holistic care.
They are not a substitute for emergency treatment, medical diagnosis, psychiatric care or prescribed medical treatment.
Students must disclose relevant medical history, allergies, pregnancy and current medications before receiving Ayurvedic therapies.
No treatment should be understood as a guaranteed cure for a particular disease or medical condition.
Participants with existing health concerns should consult their own physician before beginning a detoxification, Panchakarma or intensive wellness program.
18. Sound Healing and Instrument Use
Singing bowls, gongs, bells, tingshas and other sound-healing instruments must be handled carefully and respectfully.
Students should not use academy instruments without permission, especially outside supervised training sessions.
Sound practices can be powerful. Participants must follow the teacher’s instructions regarding volume, duration, instrument placement and contraindications.
Students should inform the instructor if they have sound sensitivity, epilepsy, recent surgery, pregnancy, implanted medical devices or another condition that may require modification.
Damage caused by careless handling may be charged to the responsible participant.
19. Excursions and Activities Outside the Academy
Some courses may include temple visits, monastery visits, heritage tours, hiking, nature walks or other activities outside the academy.
Students should follow the instructions of teachers, guides and coordinators during all excursions.
Participants must remain aware of traffic, weather, altitude, uneven trails and local environmental conditions.
Students who choose to leave the group or participate in independent activities do so at their own responsibility.
Any personal expenses or activities not included in the official course package must be paid for separately.
20. Respect for Nepalese Culture
Students are guests in Nepal and are expected to respect local traditions, religious practices and community values.
Please ask permission before photographing local people, monks, ceremonies, religious objects or private homes.
Public displays of anger, disrespectful speech, inappropriate clothing at sacred sites and careless treatment of religious objects should be avoided.
Students should not touch sacred objects, enter restricted areas or interrupt ceremonies without permission.
Learning a few respectful expressions, such as “Namaste” and “Dhanyabad,” can help create a warm connection with the local community.
21. Environmental Responsibility
Himalayan Yoga Academy encourages responsible and sustainable living.
Students are requested to:
- Avoid unnecessary plastic use
- Carry a reusable water bottle
- Conserve water and electricity
- Dispose of waste correctly
- Avoid littering
- Keep the academy and surrounding environment clean
- Respect plants, animals and natural spaces
- Use towels and laundry services mindfully
A yogic lifestyle includes responsibility toward the environment as well as personal wellbeing.
22. Payment Policy
Course fees must be paid according to the payment schedule stated in the booking confirmation.
Any remaining balance should normally be completed on or before arrival unless a different arrangement has been approved in writing.
Additional services, private treatments, extra accommodation, transportation, room upgrades or personal purchases must be paid for separately.
Students are responsible for bank charges, international transfer charges, card-processing fees or currency-conversion costs where applicable.
Failure to complete payment may result in suspension from classes, withholding of certification or cancellation of accommodation.
23. Cancellation and Early Departure
Registration fees, deposits and course payments are governed by the cancellation and refund policy provided during booking.
A student who voluntarily leaves after the course has started may not be eligible for a refund for unused classes, accommodation, meals or activities.
Refunds may also not be provided when a student is dismissed for violating academy guidelines.
Where possible, Himalayan Yoga Academy may consider transferring eligible payments to another course date, depending on the circumstances and the academy’s written policies.
Travel insurance is strongly recommended to protect against illness, emergencies, flight changes and unexpected cancellations.
24. Grounds for Dismissal
Himalayan Yoga Academy reserves the right to dismiss a participant or deny certification for serious or repeated violations, including:
- Violence, threats or abusive conduct
- Sexual harassment or sexual misconduct
- Discrimination or bullying
- Alcohol or illegal-drug use
- Attending classes while intoxicated
- Theft or deliberate property damage
- Repeated disregard for silence or attendance requirements
- Disrespect toward teachers, staff or students
- Unauthorised recording or commercial use of course materials
- Behaviour that threatens the safety or wellbeing of others
- Failure to pay required course fees
- Serious professional misconduct
- Repeated refusal to follow academy instructions
Dismissal under these circumstances may occur without a refund.
25. Complaints and Communication
Students are encouraged to communicate concerns respectfully and at an early stage.
Minor accommodation, food, scheduling or classroom concerns should first be discussed with the responsible coordinator.
Sensitive matters may be reported privately to academy management.
Himalayan Yoga Academy will make reasonable efforts to listen, investigate and respond fairly. Students are also expected to communicate honestly and avoid public accusations before allowing the academy an opportunity to understand and address the situation.
26. Acceptance of the Guidelines
By applying for, booking or participating in a program at Himalayan Yoga Academy, the participant confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to follow these guidelines.
These policies are intended to protect the safety, dignity, learning experience and wellbeing of the entire academy community.
Himalayan Yoga Academy may update these guidelines when necessary due to operational, legal, health, safety or educational requirements.
A Shared Journey of Learning and Transformation
Life at Himalayan Yoga Academy is more than attending classes. It is an opportunity to practise discipline, simplicity, compassion, self-awareness and community living.
We invite every student to participate with sincerity, patience and respect. Challenges may arise during an intensive course, but they can become meaningful opportunities for personal growth when approached with openness and responsibility.
By supporting one another and honouring the academy environment, we can create a safe and inspiring space for yoga, healing and transformation.
Namaste and welcome to Himalayan Yoga Academy, Nepal.