Policies

Attendance Policy:

At each of our courses we expect students to be on time for class commencement each day, returning after breaks, and returning after lunch. Please let Kynd Studio know if you will be late.

Students are encouraged to have 100% attendance. However, we understand that students have important commitments outside of the the course. Should extenuating circumstances impact attendance, students are permitted to miss class, provided they work with the program director to make up any missed hours. Students are responsible for rescheduling missed hours to make up any course material they have missed. This should be arranged with our director Claudia Richardson. Absences may be made up when we have availability at a rate of $150 per hour for one on one instruction.

Students need to understand that if they miss training hours, that have not been made up one to one, they may be unable to graduate from the course.

Code of Conduct Policy:

At Kynd Studio, we are committed to holding high ethical standards for our yoga and Pilates teachers. We believe that it is the responsibility of a teacher to ensure a safe environment in which our students and clients can grow physically, mentally, and spiritually. Students and clients are looking for guidance from teachers with authenticity, experience, and wisdom. Our Code of Conduct was developed to protect our students and clients in this potentially vulnerable relationship with their teachers and to uphold the highest professional standards.

Financial Practices

Teachers will manage their business affairs according to recognised standard business and accounting practices. We discourage teachers from any kind of financial involvement with students. This includes loans, gifts and business relationships. If teachers have any questions about conducting their business affairs or potential financial involvement with students, they should contact the Kynd Studio director Claudia Fregona for clarification.

Professional Growth/ Continuing Education

Kynd Studio teachers maintain the integrity, competency, and high standards of their yoga and Pilates profession by continuously striving to improve their skills through keeping current in new developments in yoga and Pilates practice and by participating in continuing educational programs. There are will be ongoing Kynd Studio professional development courses to attend and students/teachers can contact Kynd Studio director Claudia Fregona for alternative recommendations.

Teacher Student Relationships

Kynd Studio teachers maintain professional relationships with their students and clients always and avoid any relationship with a student/client that exploits the student/client in any way or that may be used for the teacher’s personal benefit. Kynd Studio Teachers shall not engage in harassment, abusive words or actions, exploit students, or create an environment where these is an imbalance of power.

A relationship between the teacher and a student/client is based on trust. To establish and maintain that trust, teachers are polite, considerate, and honest in their interactions with their students.

Kynd Studio teachers practice good communication with their students. Teachers should listen attentively to their 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 shall avoid imposing their personal beliefs on their students.

Integrity

Kynd Studio teachers are committed to maintaining impeccable standards of professional competence and integrity. They are committed to promoting the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual wellbeing of their students. Kynd Studio Teachers are committed to practicing yoga and Pilates as a way of life, which includes adopting the fundamental moral principles of yoga and making their lifestyle environmentally sustainable.

Scope of Practice

Kynd Studio teachers represent their qualifications honestly and provide only the services they are qualified and certified to perform. Kynd Studio Teachers will not give medical advice, recommend treatment, diagnose a condition, or suggest that a student/clients disregard medical advice. Kynd Studio Teachers shall refer their students/clients to medical doctors when appropriate.

Confidential Information

Kynd Studio teachers will keep all personal information disclosed by their students or clients strictly confidential. A teacher who receives personal information from a student or client will not disclose such information unless they obtain written consent of the student or client. All discussions among teachers concerning students or clients shall be conducted in secure, non-public environments.

Inter-Professional Relationships

Kynd Studio teachers are part of a network of health and well-being professionals and shall seek to develop interdisciplinary relationships. Kynd Studio Teachers conduct themselves in an honourable manner in their relations with their colleagues and other wellness practitioners and shall not openly criticise practices followed by other yoga or Pilates schools or studios or teachers.

Advertising and Public Communications

Kynd Studio teachers shall accurately represent his or her professional qualifications and certifications along with his or her affiliations with any organisation(s). Announcements and brochures promoting classes or workshops shall describe them with accuracy and grace. These principles are designed to uphold the quality of our teachings and shall be in compliance with legal guidelines for appropriate representation of our services.

Yoga and Pilates Equity

Kynd Studio teachers welcome all students regardless of age, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity and perceived gender expression), sexual orientation, colour, race, national origin, marital status, parental status, veteran’s status, religion, or physical or mental disability, provided that the teacher has appropriate expertise.

Refund and Cancellation Policy:

Upon receipt of a completed enrolment form, the applicant will be charged a deposit as per the individual course amount, to secure their enrolment into the course. The deposit can be paid either by direct bank transfer or through direct debit applied through the Studio. The deposit is non-refundable, but can under exceptional circumstances be transferred to another course commencing within 12 months.

The remainder of the course fee is required to be paid in full prior to the course commencement if not applying for a payment plan. Early bird discounts are available and full course fee must be paid prior to the closure of the Early Bird window. Details will differ from course to course and information will be available on the dedicated course page.

If applying for a Payment Plan, there is an additional $200 Administration fee which must be paid with the deposit to set up the payment plan. Payment plans are subject to approval. The total balance of the course cost must be paid within 6 months (Pilates) and 7 months (Yoga) from the course completion date. The minimum monthly payment amount is $590/month for Pilates or $690/month for Yoga Teacher Training.

If an applicant withdraws from the course after the course has commenced. All course money paid is non-refundable after the commencement of the course. Under special circumstances and with written confirmation, we can reschedule to the following delivery of the same course/ credit towards another course (credit must be used within 12 months of the cancellation date).

If an applicant withdraws from the course more than 30 days prior to the course commencement, the deposit will be non-refundable, but can be transferred to another course. Any balance paid can be refunded (if any).

If an applicant withdraws from the course within 30 days or less of the course commencement. Any money paid will not be refunded, but can be transferred to another course. (New enrolled course to be completed within 12 months of the cancellation date)

Notice of Cancellation

Kynd Studio requires that any notice of cancellation or withdrawal by a student from a course must be provided in writing via email to hello@kyndstudio.com.au

Special Cases

We will consider special cases on an individual basis where a student may need to withdraw from the course due to illness, accident, death in the family, or other circumstances that make it impractical for the student to complete the course.

Unsatisfactory Conduct

No refunds will be given if Kynd Studio removes a student from the course for unsatisfactory conduct. Unsatisfactory conduct is considered a violation of the Code of Conduct, harassment, bullying, or any other behaviour that is inappropriate or disruptive to the welfare of the course or to fellow students.

Anti-Harassment Policy:

We do not permit managers, employees, staff, teachers, independent contractors, students, clients, 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.

Sexual Harassment in the Workplace

We do not tolerate sexual harassment in our Academy/Studio. Sexual harassment refers to any unwelcome sexual attention, sexual advances, requests for sexual favours and other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature when the conduct harms the person’s employment or working environment.

Sexual Misconduct

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

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

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

Verbal Harassment

• Unwanted sexual teasing, stories, jokes, remarks, or questions

• Sexual comments, stories or innuendo

• Turning work discussions to sexual topics

• Asking about sexual fantasies, preferences, or history

• Asking personal questions about social or sexual life

• Sexual comments about a person’s clothing, anatomy, or looks

• Telling lies or spreading rumours about a person’s personal sex life.

• Referring to an individual as a doll, babe, sweetheart, honey, or similar term

• Repeatedly asking a person out on dates who is not interested

• Unwanted letters, telephone calls, or sending materials of a sexual nature

• Stalking on social media

• Unwanted pressure for sexual favours

Non-Verbal Harassment

• Blocking a person’s path or following them

• Giving unwelcome personal gifts

• Displaying sexually suggestive materials

• Making sexual gestures with hands or through body movements

• Unwanted sexual looks or gestures

Physical Harassment

• Hugging, kissing, patting, or stroking

• Touching or rubbing oneself sexually around another person

• Unwanted deliberate touching, leaning over, cornering, or pinching

• Giving an un-wanted massage

• Sexually oriented asana adjustments or touch

• Promising enlightenment or special teachings or status in exchange for sexual favours

• Actual or attempted rape or sexual assault

Romantic Relationships between Teachers and 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 the attention of the Kynd Studio director.

Grievance Policy

Reporting of Policy Violations

We encourage anyone (Teachers/Students) who has been the subject of sexual misconduct or of any other action that violates our policies or Code of Conduct to report the incident to the Kynd Studio director Claudia Fregona.

The report should contain the following information:

• Your full name;

• Your email and phone number;

• The name of the person the grievance is against;

• A description of the 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, 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. Kynd Studio 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 review will be treated on a confidential basis. Similarly, any actions taken in response to the report will also be confidential.

Due Process and Procedure

Kynd Studio recognise that our Academy/Studio has an obligation to give a person accused of misconduct a reasonable level of due process. Because the person may lose his or her job/ course placement and their reputation may be tarnished, the decision-making process must be fair and objective. Due process will entail gathering all of the relevant facts surrounding the matter and making a fair and objective decision based on the facts. The reviewing body may need to interview the person who reported the situation, the person who perpetrated the misconduct, and any other people who have direct knowledge about the situation. We will examine all other credible and objective evidence about the situation.

After the reviewing body gathers the facts, we will determine if the allegations are credible. If it is determined that is the case, the reviewing body will decide on the sanctions to impose and then communicate its decision to those involved.

Sanctions

In many cases, it may be hard to uncover all the facts, facts may be conflicting, or there may be conflicts of interest.

The reviewing body will use sound and careful judgment in deciding what type of sanctions to impose.

Retaliation Policy

Kynd 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 policies, or for participating in an investigation. 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 the Kynd Studio director 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 Kynd Studio director or manager. We will do everything possible to ensure that you are not retaliated against by anyone because you have reported misconduct.

 Privacy Policy

 These can be found here.

COVID19 Policy

If the course must be cancelled due to Government-mandated closures/restrictions, the course will be conducted online.

Distance Education (hybrid and 100% online training participation)

Where specified, courses may be available via distance education (online delivery). You will be required to express your interest in writing via email explicitly stating your desire to attend the course via distance education.

To provide the course via distance education (100% online), Kynd Studio requires a minimum number of distance education attendees. In the case where numbers are not high enough, the applicant will be provided with a full refund of the total amount paid minus non-refundable deposit, however the deposit may be transferred to another course. The transfer of the non-refundable deposit must be used within 12 months.

Course content will be provided 7-14 business days following the in-person/face-to-face delivery of the course at the latest. This allows Kynd Studio the time to upload and provide quality content. The applicant will have 6 months to access and complete all required content and assessment following the first day of content availability online.

In the case where the required class participation and observations hours cannot be completed in-person at Kynd Studio, the applicant will be provided with access to a library of online classes by director, Claudia Fregona. Access to these classes will be available for 6 months from the first day of content availability online. Hours must be recorded as per requirements.

Observation and participation hours cannot be completed at an external studio or through an external online studio platform. All observation and participation hours must be completed through Kynd Studio.