Heartwood Student Guidelines and Tuition Policy

Heartwood aspires to create a learning environment that instills a sense of grace and dignity in the yoga experience and one that honors and celebrates personal growth, diversity, and respect for the learning process. As a small and intimate retreat facility, students must understand our expectations and processes to be sure our policies are in alignment with their beliefs about education, yoga, and working harmoniously and respectfully with others.

Rules for Student Conduct

• Students must be on time for all classes and stay for the full duration of the course unless excused by the director. Tardiness is considered an absence. 
• All unexcused absences or time missed must be made up in person in a future session unless other arrangements are agreed upon with the instructor.
• Students must show courtesy and respect to staff and fellow students and honor the learning environment.  They are to come prepared for practice, properly dressed with all necessary supplies and will be expected to participate fully and with enthusiasm.
• Cell phones are not allowed to be used or turned on during classes or lectures unless permission is given by the instructor (such as to capture a posture demonstration or sequence.)  

Academic Performance Requirements
To receive certification, students must attend 100% of the residency program hours as per the program description and complete all homework assigned. All quizzes or tests must be passed with 90% or higher.  Students can retake any test necessary if they fail to meet this criterion. The school also has a policy that students are invited to retake any course or residency free of charge (other than a fee for the meal plan, housing, or materials if applicable) in cases where they need reinforcement of the material or retraining to feel competent, confident or ready to work in that area of expertise. We do our best to recognize that each individual has their learning style, degree of experience, and learning readiness, and as such, Heartwood provides ample opportunity for all students to continue their studies until they fully absorb the material. In the end, it is the student's responsibility to be fully present, to put ego aside, and to take advantage of our policy to retake a course if necessary to integrate and comprehend the material to successfully be able to apply the knowledge as a teacher and a yogi.

We recommend students read the essay, "Meeting for Learning" by Parker Palmer to be familiar with our philosophy about how vibrant, enriching learning environments can be achieved.  This can be found at the link below.

Student Grievance Procedures
Students are asked to first put their complaint into writing and send it to  contactheartwoodyoga@gmail.com so we can respectfully address the issue.  Students are also invited to set an appointment with the school director to discuss any issues or complaints in person. In cases where the student may have an issue with the director, he or she may set up an appointment with any of the key staff as well. All issues will be considered respectfully and if appropriate, addressed with all Heartwood staff involved.

Anti-retaliation Policy

We 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 into any of the foregoing. 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 believes they have been subject to retaliation to inform a supervisor or manager. We have a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment or sexual misconduct. We encourage anyone subject to this behavior to report it to the human resources department or school management. We will do everything possible to ensure that you are not retaliated against by anyone because you have reported misconduct.  

Anti-Harassment

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

Student Disciplinary Procedures
Students who do not adhere to our conduct or attendance policy will first be addressed in a private meeting with the director. If attendance does not improve, the student will be advised to discontinue the session and return when they are ready and able to be fully present. If behavior is an issue and does not improve despite attempts to correct the situation,  the student will be dismissed from the program without a refund.

Student Degree Plan
Students enrolled in any program that is not completed in one residency visit must work with the director to create a degree plan and formally enroll in the modules or Yoga therapy concentrations to hold space in the program.  While we do our best to accommodate the needs of all students, Heartwood does charge a small fee for dorm housing and offers a limited amount for convenience, so we do not guarantee housing or space in any and all future programs. This is why it is imperative you enroll formally and early if you wish to participate or reserve housing.  Once enrolled, the student will be expected to attend or provide at least 7 days' notice of withdrawal if they do not plan to attend the session. If we hold space and we are not provided with ample notice that the space is available for others, the student may have to pay to retake that unit at a later date. Programs without at least three students enrolled may be subject to cancellation or rescheduling. When or if Heartwood cancels a class or session, students have the option of receiving a refund or applying their tuition to the next offering.