Why Our Code of Ethics Matters at Gilbert Yoga: A Conversation About Growth, Integrity, and Responsibility

When I first started in business, I’ll never forget what my therapist once told me:

"The only way to do business with friends is to have your intentions in writing."

At the time, we were talking about contracts—about the practical need to protect friendships when money, responsibilities, and expectations become tangled. But what stayed with me was something even bigger: What about our social contracts? What about the unspoken agreements that govern how we show up for each other, day after day?

In my own journey, drawing boundaries has not always been easy. In fact, at times it’s been deeply painful.

Many of my colleagues at Gilbert Yoga have been more than coworkers—they have been dear friends. People I’ve known for decades. People I laughed with, grew alongside, and trusted like family. Setting boundaries with them was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do.

There were moments where clarity felt like betrayal. Moments where putting structure around our relationships felt cold and formal, when all I wanted was to preserve the warmth and trust we had built over years. But what I came to understand—slowly, painfully—is that real love requires clarity. Real respect requires structure. Without clear agreements and mutual accountability, even the strongest friendships can be tested, or worse, broken.

Misunderstandings creep in. Resentments fester quietly. Power dynamics shift in ways that don't always honor everyone involved.

And the truth is, I have witnessed firsthand how damaging it can be when boundaries are unclear—both for individuals and for the community as a whole.

That's why at Gilbert Yoga, we decided to put our intentions in writing—not just to protect the business and brand, but to build a studio culture based on mutual respect, compassion, and integrity.

In a world still healing from the shadows of abuse of power, from the old ideas of "the customer is always right" and the often-problematic "guru culture" of earlier yoga traditions, it’s clear:

We have to do better.We owe it to our children, and to ourselves, to mature in our behavior, to evolve in our actions, and to grow in the direction of love and peace.

At Gilbert Yoga, our Code of Ethics is a living expression of this commitment:

Self-Respect and Growth

I commit to personal growth through learning, self-cultivation, and aligning my actions with my highest ideals. I inspire others by example.

True leadership doesn’t come from titles—it comes from daily choices. We commit to walking our own paths of growth with humility and presence, knowing that by tending to ourselves, we can better serve others.

Compassion and Inclusivity

I welcome and honor every individual, fostering an environment of acceptance, non-judgment, and kindness.

Yoga belongs to everyone. At Gilbert Yoga, you are welcomed exactly as you are—your story, your body, your journey, and your heart.

Respect and Confidentiality

I treat all individuals with dignity, maintaining their privacy and creating a safe and supportive space for personal transformation.

Trust is sacred. We protect it fiercely, honoring the vulnerability and courage it takes to show up fully in this work.

Integrity and Mindful Practice

I uphold the timeless principles of yoga, acting with honesty, care, and responsibility in the studio and in the world.

Our practice doesn't end when class is over. We carry it into every conversation, every relationship, and every decision.

At Gilbert Yoga, our Code of Ethics is more than a policy—it’s a promise. A promise to ourselves. A promise to our students. A promise to the community we are building—one breath, one boundary, and one act of love at a time.

Because doing business with friends—and living in community with integrity—isn’t about building walls. It’s about building trust. And trust, when it’s rooted in clarity and care, can carry us farther than we ever imagined.