Offering multiple exercise options is one of the best ways you can make your gym more viable to customers, and yoga is one of the best workout routines you can provide. The many health benefits the activity brings easily make it a highly requested workout program.
While preparing your gym to accommodate yoga sessions, the last thing you may be thinking about is getting insurance for teaching yoga. While it may seem impractical to get such a policy for your training business, yoga actually comes with its own set of risks that will warrant protection from accidents or other incidents involving yoga in your gym.
This article will go through in detail what yoga is, the physical requirements of the activity, and why it can become risky for some people that you will require insurance to protect your business. We’ll also detail the best practices you can implement to protect your business from costly accidents and incidents.
Understanding Yoga
Before we get into the details that will convince you to get insurance for yoga, it’s important to better understand what this practice is all about.
Yoga is an ancient practice focusing on deep breathing, challenging poses, and unbroken concentration. It’s an activity that stimulates a person’s physical and mental well-being that not many physical activities can easily replicate.
The practice is one of the oldest in the world, as its origins can be traced back thousands of years. The term “yoga” first appeared in Rig Veda, derived from the Sanskrit word “yuji,” which means union.
The practice can already be traced back to the pre-Vedic period (2700 BC). There are seals and fossil remains of the Indus Saraswati Valley, validating the impact of yoga as a productive physical activity. It blossomed during the Classical period (500 BC – 800 AD) as it was influenced by Mahavir and Buddha, two of India’s most prolific religious leaders.
Yoga’s next great era, also known as the Modern period, didn’t happen until the 18th century. A number of notable Yogacharas (Ramana Maharshi, Ramakrishna Paramhansa, Paramhansa Yogananda, Vivekananda) introduced new ideas to the practice until the 1900s.
Why Yoga Is a Great Addition to Your Gym
If you’ve gone to a yoga session with a yogi that knows what they are doing, you know how great of a burn its seemingly simple poses can provide. If you haven’t already incorporated this into your gym’s offerings, here are some of the benefits that will convince even the most discerning gym goer to give it a try:
Improves sleep
At least 35% of Americans are getting less than seven hours of sleep a night, and this poor sleep quality can have an adverse effect on our lives. With nine million Americans relying on sleeping pills to get some shut-eye in 2013, it’s painfully clear how important finding a way to improve your snooze is.
Yoga is one of the proven ways you can improve your sleep. Doing a bit of yoga before bed is proven to improve your quality of sleep. This is a great benefit to consider if you run an online or 24-hour operation.
Better body flexibility and strength
One of the first things that people feel different about their bodies as they age is their diminishing flexibility and strength. While the loss isn’t immediately noticeable, people will notice this when they pull a muscle or two while performing a physical task that they used to do years ago.
People who regularly practice yoga don’t have this problem. The muscle groups that are engaged during a yoga session ensure that the body is always in good shape to take on any sudden physical task.
Stronger mental health
The COVID-19 pandemic challenged everyone’s mental health, and finding avenues to ease symptoms of depression and anxiety is more important as the world continues to recover from the scars of the pandemic.
The mental fortitude a yogi develops as they continuously practice is a great counter to any negative thoughts the brain may come up with. Studies back this up as yoga-centric treatments for depression have proven effective.
Improved cardiovascular function
While yoga seems like a relaxed exercise, the work it gives cardiovascular systems paints an entirely different picture. A review by the Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine reveals that a yogi’s heart rate, stroke capacity, and other vital metrics are better than a normal person’s.
The Surprising Dangers Tied to Yoga
Depending on who you ask, yoga can become the most relaxing exercise. However, it doesn’t come with its own set of occupational hazards. There are situations where liability insurance for yoga instructors will be necessary, and it’s important to be prepared for any of these.
Here are some dangers you can be exposed to if you don’t have an insurance policy.
Sprains and strains
It must be mentioned that it’s rare to get injured while practicing yoga. A yogi who knows how to warm up properly and pace the intensity of their workouts will rarely pull a muscle during a thorough 40-minute yoga session.
However, sprains and strains are an unavoidable part of the process. Since yoga involves contorting the body into multiple unnatural postures, sustaining such an injury every now and then wouldn’t be strange.
Headstand-related injuries
A 2012 survey of Australian yogis reveals that at least one of five practitioners experience a headstand-related injury. The trick is understandably difficult to pull off, and poor support can result in rough falls that could lead to concussions and other injuries.
Aggravating existing injuries
Like any trainer, it’s important to know when a student is not in the right condition to perform. However, some may hide their body’s condition so they can get a round of yoga in.
While yoga can quickly warm up muscles, it’s also great at worsening nagging injuries. If a student lies about their condition just to practice yoga, it will be in your best interests to have insurance at the ready.
Spine damage
Damaging the spine is a life-altering accident that should be avoided at all costs. Unfortunately, yoga does have poses where the spine is twisted at awkward angles. Any positions that put weight on the spine must be avoided unless the class is on an advanced curriculum.
If you plan on including these classes in your fitness facility, getting yoga instructor insurance should be at the top of your priority list.
Qualities That Make for a Great Yoga Instructor
One of the best ways to avoid costly accidents while holding yoga classes is to get liability insurance. However, nothing averts problems than being a good instructor. If this is your first rodeo into yoga instruction, here are qualities you should incorporate into your teachings.
A powerful presence
Focus is a critical part of yoga, and ensuring that your students’ attention is on you can prevent any accidents from happening. A strong presence will allow your students to do the poses expected in the session properly.
A hunger for learning
Thanks to yoga’s rich history, you can incorporate many styles into your classes. Finding the best poses that don’t put unnecessary strain on the body is a hallmark of a great yoga instructor. Moreover, learning more about the human body can help you better relay the benefits of the poses you’re teaching.
An empathic heart
Yoga is a tough workout, so understanding when your students are struggling with your program is critical to keeping them motivated while preventing unnecessary injuries from happening. Moreover, students love a yogi who encapsulates what the practice is all about.
Customer Service
While this aspect is not part of a yogi’s core competencies, being able to address any issues your students may have before, during, and after the session will turn you into a reliable yoga instructor.
Communication skills
Being a good communicator is more than just using the most effective instructions to get your students to nail the toughest postures. Properly relating the dangers of the exercise, you’re performing is also crucial in protecting your students and your business from liability.
Insurance Policy
Whether you’re handling one-on-one yoga sessions or group classes, providing protection from liabilities caused by accidents and unforeseen circumstances will protect your business. There are policies available that offer great protection to fitness trainers at affordable rates.
Protect Your Yoga Business
Incorporating yoga into your business model is a great way to expand your customer base. The practice has never been more popular, and the simple nature of the exercise makes it an affordable addition as well. By getting insurance for yoga instructors, you can protect your business from any accidents during class.
You can get one such policy at API Fitness. We specialize in providing comprehensive insurance policies for individuals and businesses in the fitness industry. Our years of industry experience and pre-approval package for NCCA businesses make us a great partner in protecting your interests.
Contact us today to get a quote on our policies.
