Injury Prevention: Teaching Tips

Yoga teachers-in-training consistently say that there is so much more to think about when teaching a class than they ever knew or imagined. I remember the feeling, and I often joke that if you can get your music to play and everyone lives, you're off to a strong start! In addition to surviving class, we also want students to leave feeling better than when they arrived. And of course, we want to prevent injury. Here are some tips to decrease the risk of injury in your classes.

1. Establish a foundation of freedom. Make sure your students know that they can always opt out of anything.
2. Create safe, well-rounded experiences that are appropriate for student ability.
3. Advise your students: Yoga shouldn't be painful. Pain is a signal to back off or modify.
4. Avoid using force to change a student's position in a posture, and be open to variation. Every student has a unique structure, history, and circumstance.
5. Use your knowledge to offer instruction for engagement and alignment based on your training and experience.
6. Offer variations. Give options. Use props. Help students find something that works for them.
7. Don’t be afraid to say that you don’t know. Have a kind, confident response ready if someone asks/expects you to evaluate or treat ailments.
8. If a student reports an injury, ask if they've seen a doctor or therapist. Ask for any recommendations and/or limitations.
9. Have a list of recommendations for healthcare practitioners ready to share.​

Remember, it is outside the scope of practice of a yoga teacher to diagnose and treat.
Students with injuries/conditions will attend your classes. The safest action is to recommend medical evaluation when a student tells you about an injury or asks for advice.
More information: Yoga Alliance Statement on Yoga Therapy