Sexual Misconduct Policy & Community Safety Standards

(Updated May 28, 2026)

At Firelight Yoga, our space is a place for healing, strength, and peace. To protect our space, we maintain a zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct and harassment. This applies to every interaction within our community, whether it occurs Client-to-Client, Employee-to-Client, or Client-to-Employee.

1. How We Define Misconduct and What We Do Not Tolerate. We define sexual misconduct as any unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that violates the safety or dignity of another person. This includes:
   
   1.1 Your Body, Your Choice: Adjustments & Consent. We respect your right to choose how you experience your practice. While manual adjustments are a part of some classes, students always have the right to refuse physical contact. As outlined in our Waiver and Release of Liability, we ask that you make us aware if you prefer no physical contact. Any touch that goes beyond professional, consented-to yoga adjustments is strictly prohibited.
   
   1.2 Personal Space & Unwanted Contact: We honor each person’s physical boundaries in our studio. Any unwelcome or non-consensual touching, whether between clients, employees or between employees and clients, is strictly prohibited. This includes any unnecessary brushing against another person’s body or infringement on their personal space that causes discomfort.
   
   1.3 Non-Physical Harassment: We are committed to maintaining an environment where everyone feels comfortable and focused. Harassment isn’t always physical; it includes any behavior that creates a hostile or offensive atmosphere. This includes sexually suggestive or explicit comments, jokes, or epithets, as well as unwelcome leering, whistling, or sexual gestures. We do not tolerate unwanted remarks or gossip regarding an individual’s body, sexual activity, gender identity, or sexual orientation, nor the discussion of one’s own sexual exploits or inquiries into the sexual experiences of others within the studio environment.
   
   1.4 Personal & Digital Boundaries: We value the community connections made at Firelight Yoga, but those connections must remain respectful across all platforms. Our policy prohibits unwelcome sexual advances, persistent and unwanted requests for dates, or any form of harassment that occurs outside the studio walls. This includes interactions via social media, text, email, or any online community or group platform where access to an individual was gained through a Firelight Yoga connection or membership. Crossing these boundaries in a way that makes a community member feel unsafe or harassed, whether in a private message or in a public group, is a violation of this policy.
   
   1.5 Attire and Mindful Exposure: We want everyone to feel comfortable and focused on their practice. We ask that all community members wear standard athletic outerwear appropriate for a shared public yoga space and that provides reliable coverage across a full range of movement. While we understand that wardrobe mishaps can happen, practicing in undergarments alone or the intentional exposure of private body parts violates our community standards. To ensure privacy during inverted or wide-legged poses, we highly recommend that participants wearing loose-fitting shorts utilize styles with a built-in liner or a compression underlayer (with a suggested 5″ to 7″ inseam).
   
   
2. Reporting: Your Voice Matters. If you feel unsafe or have been affected by misconduct, we take every report seriously and handle each case with care.
   
   2.1 How to Report: Please contact our Co-Owners, Holly Bussmus or Jessica Bartley, directly via the contact link provided at the end of this policy.
   
   2.2 Reporting for Minors: If the individual affected is a minor, a parent or legal guardian may report on their behalf. Firelight Yoga is committed to the heightened protection of our minor students and youth clients.
   
   2.3 Information Needed: To help us conduct a thorough review, please provide:
   
   –> Your full name and contact information.
   –> The name(s) of the person(s) involved.
   –> A clear description of the incident, including the date, time, and location.
   –> The names and contact information of any witnesses who may have relevant information.
   –> Any supporting information or evidence, such as photos, videos, or screenshots of digital communications (e.g., text messages or social media interactions) related to the report.
   
   2.4 Integrity of the Process: To ensure a fair process, we cannot accept anonymous reports. While we respect your privacy, the person accused will be informed of the allegations so they have a fair opportunity to respond.
   
   
3. Internal vs. Legal Action. Firelight Yoga handles all grievances internally as a matter of business policy and community safety. Our internal investigation is designed solely to determine whether a person may remain part of our community.
   
   3.1 Firelight Yoga does not have the authority or resources of a law enforcement agency. While we take immediate business action (such as banning offenders), it is the sole responsibility of the complainant to report incidents to the police if they wish to pursue criminal charges or legal action. We strongly encourage individuals to use the legal and social support systems available in Oregon.
   
   
4. The Path to Resolution. We believe in a fair and transparent process that honors the individual reporting while ensuring a thorough review of the facts. Once a report is formally initiated, we follow a consistent path to determine the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our community. Depending on the severity of the allegations, Firelight Yoga reserves the right to temporarily suspend a membership or access to the facility immediately upon receiving a report, pending the final outcome of our internal review.
   
   4.1 Review & Interview: We will speak with the person reporting, the person accused, and any relevant witnesses separately to get a clear picture of what happened.
   
   4.2 Our Findings: We make our decisions based on the balance of information provided. If the information gathered leads us to believe it is more likely than not that a violation occurred, we will take action to protect the community.
   
   4.3 No Retaliation: Any attempt to “get back at” someone for reporting is a stand-alone violation and will result in immediate removal from the studio.
   
   
5. Consequences (The Business Perspective). Firelight Yoga is a private business. We reserve the right to exclude anyone who compromises the safety of our students or staff.
   
   5.1 For Clients: Immediate termination of membership and a permanent ban from the studio. No refunds will be issued for memberships, class packs, or workshops.
   
   5.2 For Instructors/Staff: Immediate termination of employment or contract for cause.
   
   5.3 For Teacher Trainees: Immediate expulsion from the program without certification or refund.
   
   
6. Appeals. Requests for appeal must be made within 21 days of the decision and are only granted if there was a major procedural failure or if significant new evidence is discovered. We do not grant appeals based on a disagreement with the final decision.

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