One in Three Yoga Teachers May Be Teaching Without Insurance, Survey Suggests

Yoga may be associated with calm, balance and wellbeing, but for yoga teachers there is also a very practical side to running classes safely and professionally, and that includes having appropriate insurance.

A recent survey by specialist insurer Insure4Sport suggests that around one in three UK yoga teachers do not have their own dedicated insurance covering their teaching activities.

The survey sample was relatively small, so the figure should be treated as an indication rather than a definitive picture of the entire profession. Nevertheless, it raises an important question for anyone currently teaching yoga or considering becoming an instructor.

Accidents can happen even in a carefully managed yoga class. A student might slip or fall, suffer an injury during a movement, or allege that inappropriate instruction contributed to an injury. Claims involving personal injury or alleged negligence can potentially result in substantial compensation and legal costs.

Without suitable insurance, a self-employed teacher could find themselves personally responsible for those costs.

Insurance may also increasingly be required simply to get through the door. Yoga studios, community centres, councils, landlords and event organisers may ask instructors to demonstrate that they hold appropriate public liability and professional indemnity insurance before allowing them to teach on their premises.

Another consideration is first aid.

The British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) stresses the importance of appropriate first aid training and risk management alongside insurance. Teachers should therefore check the precise conditions of their own policy, including any requirements concerning qualified first aid provision.

For instructors looking for a straightforward way of obtaining professional support, BWY offers an Associate Teaching Membership.

Priced at £108 per year, it is available to teachers who have completed more than 300 hours of training through a reputable yoga school.

Membership includes comprehensive teaching insurance covering public liability and professional indemnity, alongside resources designed to help instructors maintain good professional standards.

Members can also access continuing professional development opportunities, guidance documents, templates, marketing resources and other teaching support.

The survey provides a useful reminder that being a good yoga teacher isn't only about knowing poses, breathing techniques and meditation. Protecting students, and protecting yourself professionally, matters too.

Whether you're an established instructor, returning to teaching after a break or preparing to teach your first classes, now could be a good time to check exactly what insurance you have and whether your first aid qualifications remain current.

Further information about British Wheel of Yoga Associate Teaching Membership can be found at bwy.org.uk/about-bwy/benefits, or by contacting office@bwy.org.uk.

Should You Throw Away Your Lipstick After Flu? The Truth About Makeup and Germs

After battling a severe bout of flu, most of us are eager to get back to normal life. 

We wash the bedding, disinfect door handles, and perhaps even replace our toothbrush. 

But what about the lipstick you've been using while you were ill? Or your lip balm, mascara and foundation? Should they stay or should they go?

The answer isn't quite as straightforward as you might think.

Lip Products: Better Safe Than Sorry

Lipsticks, lip glosses and lip balms come into direct contact with your mouth, making them the most likely makeup items to harbour viruses and bacteria while you're ill. Although flu viruses generally don't survive for long outside the human body, they can remain active on surfaces for several hours, and bacteria can persist for much longer.

If you've had a particularly severe flu infection, replacing lip products is a sensible precaution, especially if you are prone to recurring infections or have a weakened immune system. Lip balms in pots that require you to dip a finger in repeatedly are particularly worth replacing.

If the lipstick was expensive, you can reduce the risk by carefully shaving off the top layer with a clean tissue or sanitised knife before wiping the surface with a little 70% isopropyl alcohol and allowing it to dry. However, if you have any doubts, replacing it provides complete peace of mind.

Mascara Is Different

Mascara has a relatively short lifespan anyway. Eye infections can spread easily, and mascara tubes are warm, dark environments where bacteria can multiply.

If you developed sore, watery eyes during your illness or had any sign of an eye infection, it's best to throw the mascara away and open a fresh tube.

Powders and Foundations

Pressed powders, blushers and eyeshadows are generally much lower risk because they contain very little moisture. You can usually disinfect the surface with a light mist of cosmetic-safe alcohol and clean your brushes thoroughly before using them again.

Liquid foundations, concealers and pump dispensers are also relatively safe because the product inside isn't continually exposed to the air. Simply clean the outside of the bottle and the pump nozzle with an alcohol wipe.

Don't Forget the Brushes

Many people overlook the makeup brushes themselves.

Brushes and beauty sponges should be washed thoroughly with warm water and a gentle cleanser or specialist brush cleaner. Allow them to dry completely before using them again.

The Bottom Line

There is limited evidence that people routinely reinfect themselves with flu from their own makeup once they have recovered, as your immune system has usually developed protection against the same strain. However, contaminated cosmetics can potentially spread germs to others or become breeding grounds for bacteria over time.

When in doubt, replace products that have direct contact with your lips or eyes, clean everything else carefully, and treat yourself to a fresh start after you've recovered.

Sometimes, peace of mind is worth far more than the cost of a new lipstick.

That's Christmas 365: Amplify will be the key wellness gift for women fo...

That's Christmas 365: Amplify will be the key wellness gift for women fo...: Most wellness gifts offer a brief moment of calm before being used up, packed away or forgotten by New Year. Amplify is different. Amplify i...

STAND's "Legs on Tour" Aims to Restore Mobility and Hope Across Africa

Prosthetists in Ghana working on STAND limbs

A remarkable UK charity is preparing to embark on an ambitious nationwide mission that could transform the lives of thousands of amputees across sub-Saharan Africa.

STAND has announced its "Legs on Tour 2026" appeal, which will see its team travel across the UK from 3-6 August collecting unwanted prosthetic leg components from prosthetic centres. 

Rather than allowing these high-quality components to be discarded, they will be refurbished and shipped to clinics across sub-Saharan Africa, where they will be fitted to people who would otherwise have little or no chance of receiving a prosthetic limb.

The charity highlights a stark global imbalance. While many prosthetic legs in countries such as the UK are retired after use despite remaining in excellent condition, millions of amputees in low-income African nations have no access to prosthetic care at all. 

It's estimated up to 95% of amputees in these countries are unable to obtain a prosthetic limb, leaving many unable to work, attend school or fully participate in everyday life.

For those affected, the consequences extend far beyond mobility. The inability to walk often limits education, employment and independence, trapping individuals and families in a cycle of poverty. By giving someone the opportunity to walk again, organisations like STAND can also help restore confidence, dignity and economic opportunity.

RTA survivor Catherine from Ghana

To ensure the tour reaches as many collection points as possible, STAND is aiming to raise £20,000. The first £2,000 donated will be matched pound for pound by leading prosthetics manufacturer Blatchford, effectively doubling the value of early contributions. The funds will help cover the costs of collecting, refurbishing and transporting prosthetic components, as well as providing rehabilitation support to amputees receiving their new limbs.

Since being founded 12 years ago, STAND has already helped thousands of people regain their mobility across sub-Saharan Africa through the provision of prosthetic legs and rehabilitation services. Earlier this year, the charity strengthened its international impact through a partnership with French NGO Nav'Solidaire to expand the refurbishment and delivery of donated prosthetic legs throughout Africa.

Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead MBE has thrown his support behind the appeal, describing mobility as something that transforms confidence, independence and opportunity. His endorsement underlines the life-changing difference that access to a prosthetic limb can make.

If you, a family member or someone you know has an unused prosthetic leg component, or if you would simply like to support the appeal financially, further information about donating equipment or making a contribution can be found at STAND's Legs on Tour 2026 appeal.

Sometimes, giving someone the chance to stand really does help them take the next step towards a brighter future.

https://www.stand.ngo

World Lung Cancer Day 2026: Together Through Lung Cancer

World Lung Cancer Day, taking place on Saturday 1 August 2026, is an opportunity to raise awareness of one of the world's most serious cancers while reminding those affected that they do not have to face the disease alone.

This year's campaign from Know Lung Cancer carries the powerful message "Together through Lung Cancer", highlighting the importance of education, support and community for patients, families and carers.

While advances in diagnosis and treatment continue to improve outcomes for many people, lung cancer can still have a profound physical, emotional and psychological impact. Recovery and long-term management often involve much more than medical treatment, making access to reliable information and supportive communities incredibly valuable.

Know Lung Cancer is encouraging people to connect with others who understand the challenges of living with the disease. As part of this year's campaign, the organisation has expanded the support available through its website by introducing a dedicated Support Groups section, linking patients and carers with trusted organisations and peer communities.

The campaign also includes a WhatsApp support group led by Know Lung Cancer patient ambassadors. The group offers a welcoming space where people can share experiences, ask questions and gain reassurance from others who truly understand the realities of a lung cancer diagnosis.

Supporters are also being invited to take part in a simple awareness campaign on World Lung Cancer Day itself. People can download or order a Know Lung Cancer poster, take a photograph with it and share the image on social media using the official hashtags #WorldLungCancerDay and #LungCancerAwareness. The aim is to increase awareness while demonstrating the strength of the lung cancer community.

To help patients discover trusted information at key moments in their treatment journey, Know Lung Cancer is also distributing posters and information cards to lung cancer clinics, oncology centres, hospitals and professional societies. These materials direct patients and carers to educational resources covering lung cancer, treatment options, patient stories and ongoing support.

Know Lung Cancer was established in collaboration with CancerCare and brings together an international network of patient advocates, healthcare professionals and ambassadors. Its mission is to improve understanding of lung cancer worldwide by providing independent, evidence-based educational resources that are freely available to everyone.

Campaign organisers hope this year's World Lung Cancer Day will encourage more conversations about lung cancer, reduce feelings of isolation and ensure that patients and their loved ones know where to turn for trusted advice and practical support.

For more information about World Lung Cancer Day and the resources available, visit the Know Lung Cancer website https://know-lungcancer.com

That's Food and Drink: Discover Huel – Convenient, Nutritious Meals for B...

That's Food and Drink: Discover Huel – Convenient, Nutritious Meals for B...: Finding time to prepare healthy, balanced meals isn't always easy.  Whether you're rushing to work, travelling, working from home or...

When the Pavement Becomes the Barrier: Britain's Broken Footpaths Are Failing Wheelchair and Mobility Scooter Users

For many people, a cracked pavement is nothing more than a minor annoyance. 

For someone using a wheelchair or mobility scooter, it can become an impassable obstacle, a safety hazard or even the reason they decide not to leave home at all.

After recently filming one of my YouTube journeys on a path used mobility scooter users, I was reminded yet again just how difficult getting around can be when pavements, roads and shared footpaths are poorly maintained. 

The experience highlighted a problem that affects millions of disabled people, older people and anyone with limited mobility, yet one that often goes unnoticed by those who walk these routes every day.

The law and the Highway Code expect wheelchair and mobility scooter users to travel on pavements wherever possible because they are generally safer than the road. Users are expected to travel considerately, keep speeds low and make use of dropped kerbs when crossing roads.

Unfortunately, that guidance assumes the pavement is actually usable.

In reality, many pavements resemble obstacle courses. Uneven slabs, deep potholes, broken tarmac, raised tree roots and steep cambers can make progress slow, uncomfortable and, in some cases, dangerous. 

A sudden jolt from hitting a broken surface can throw a wheelchair user forward or destabilise a mobility scooter, particularly for someone already coping with pain, balance issues or limited upper body strength.

Then there are the missing or poorly designed dropped kerbs. Having to travel hundreds of metres simply to find a safe place to cross a road is frustrating enough. Being forced onto the carriageway because there is no accessible route is something no disabled person should have to face.

Charity Scope also highlights broken pavements, potholes, blocked footways and vehicles obstructing dropped kerbs as everyday barriers that wheelchair users regularly encounter.

The impact goes beyond physical safety. Poor accessibility affects independence, confidence and mental wellbeing. Many wheelchair and scooter users carefully plan journeys in advance, avoiding certain streets entirely because they know the surfaces are too rough or hazardous. Some simply decide the journey is not worth the risk.

This becomes an equality issue. Accessible transport isn't just about buses with ramps or trains with step-free access. The humble pavement is arguably the most important part of the accessible transport network, yet it is often the most neglected.

Local authorities understandably face enormous financial pressures, but maintaining pavements should be viewed as essential infrastructure rather than cosmetic improvement. Every repaired paving slab, resurfaced footpath and properly installed dropped kerb gives someone greater freedom to work, shop, visit friends or simply enjoy being outdoors.

When councils prioritise accessible streets, everyone benefits. Parents pushing prams, people using walking frames, cyclists on shared paths, delivery workers and pedestrians all enjoy smoother, safer routes.

My YouTube video demonstrates these challenges from the perspective of someone using a mobility scooter. It offers a glimpse into obstacles that many disabled people face every single day but which able-bodied pedestrians may never notice.

Perhaps the next time we hear debates about potholes, we should remember that the discussion isn't just about protecting cars. It is also about protecting people's independence, dignity and right to move around their own communities safely.