Yoga Liability – Are you at risk?

by Miriam Ball | December 20, 2019 3:09 am

The success of your yoga students’ practice depends a lot on their own engagement in the class, but it
also rests on you as their instructor. Creating the right ambience in the room is important for effective
group yoga. There might be some music, some extra lighting, or maybe heaters for Bikram yoga, all of
which could come together to create liability hazards. An exposed cord could be a trip-and-fall hazard,
or maybe someone gets disoriented in the low lighting and falls. They may even have a previous injury
they didn’t disclose or maybe they stretch too far and pull a muscle.

is in place to protect you and your work from all of the above. You shouldn’t have to
think about money and what will happen if someone gets injured during your class; your focus should
remain on providing a safe and effective yoga practice to the best of your ability.

What is included in liability insurance for yoga instructors?

coverage are the standard coverages included in yoga teacher liability
insurance. General liability covers trip and fall hazards like wet floors and exposed cords. Professional
liability is for claims related to the service you are providing, such as injuries resulting from the yoga
practice during your class. Aerial yoga and paddleboard yoga have a higher risk of general and
professional liability hazards and are often excluded from regular yoga liability policies. If you offer these
services, make sure you are specifically covered for those activities.

Next, you want to make sure you have completed operations coverage. One example of when this
coverage would come into play is if someone participated in your class, then the next day they were
getting into their car and pulled their hamstring. If they attribute that injury to your class instruction,
then completed operations would activate.

Sometimes the injured party isn’t one of your students – it’s the premises you are renting. Look for
“Damage to Premises Rented to You “ coverage on your insurance policy. With this coverage, you won’t be on the hook for property damage (for which you are liable) that occurs at a studio or other space
you’re renting for your yoga practice.

Other important considerations for yoga teachers

One special coverage that yoga instructors can benefit from is sexual abuse liability. According to the
Alternative Balance website, “Sexual abuse protection may cover … physical abuse, such as sexual or
other bodily harm and non-physical abuse, such as verbal, emotional or mental abuse …. ”

You are a dedicated instructor who aims to improve your students’ lives. Liability coverage lets you focus
on your practice and ensures that you have your own support system when things go wrong.

For more information on how insurance can give you peace of mind, contact the
Professional Group.

Source URL: https://yogadigest.com/yoga-liability-are-you-at-risk/

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