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.

Free Online Ayurveda for Sleep Masterclass Offers Natural Tips for Better Rest

Discover how Ayurveda could help improve your sleep with a free online masterclass from the British Wheel of Yoga. 

Learn practical bedtime routines and natural wellbeing tips.

If you've ever climbed into bed feeling exhausted only to wake up the next morning still feeling tired, you're certainly not alone. 

Millions of people across the UK struggle to get a good night's sleep, and many regularly get less than the recommended seven hours.

The good news is that help could be just a click away.

The British Wheel of Yoga is inviting everyone to take part in a completely free online masterclass, Ayurveda for Sleep, on Wednesday 8 July from 5.00pm to 6.15pm. 

The session will be led by respected Ayurvedic practitioner and British Wheel of Yoga Teacher Trainer Tarik Dervish (PICTURED) and is open to everyone, whether you already practise yoga or are simply looking for natural ways to improve your sleep.

Rather than focusing solely on what happens once your head hits the pillow, Ayurveda takes a much broader view of health and wellbeing. 

This traditional system of medicine, which originated in India thousands of years ago, looks at how our daily routines, diet, stress levels, environment and relationship with nature all influence the quality of our sleep.

According to Tarik Dervish, sleep should never be viewed in isolation.

He explains to That's Health that Ayurveda encourages us to reconnect with the natural rhythms of the day and the world around us, helping to restore balance to both body and mind. Many of us spend our days indoors under artificial lighting, staring at screens and rushing from one task to another. 

The masterclass explores how small changes to our evening routines can help us unwind more naturally before bedtime.

During the session, participants will discover practical techniques that can be put into practice immediately. These include simple evening rituals, lifestyle adjustments and information about traditional herbs and remedies that Ayurveda associates with better sleep. There will also be a live question-and-answer session, giving attendees the opportunity to ask their own questions directly to Tarik.

Here at That's Health, we're always interested in sensible, evidence-informed ways to improve wellbeing. While Ayurveda should not be seen as a replacement for professional medical advice or treatment for persistent sleep disorders, many people find that healthy bedtime routines, reducing stress and reconnecting with natural daily rhythms can make a real difference.

If you've been finding it difficult to switch off at night or simply want to learn more about a holistic approach to better sleep, this free event could be well worth an hour of your time.

You can reserve your free place here: https://portal.bwy.org.uk/user/events/1172?

Ayurveda for Sleep – Free Online Masterclass

Spaces are limited, but the event is free for both members and non-members of the British Wheel of Yoga.

The British Wheel of Yoga Celebrates the Summer Solstice with Festivals Across Britain

The British Wheel of Yoga (BWY) is marking the Summer Solstice with an online yoga festival on Friday 19 June, part of a series of BWY yoga festivals taking place across Britain throughout 2026.

'Grounded in the Glow' is an online day retreat bringing together five experienced tutors for a rich blend of yoga, Ayurveda and mindfulness practices, helping practitioners reconnect with their inner light and the rhythm of the season. The programme draws on a wide range of approaches and traditions.

Nahdeannah Francis-Pennant (BWY Teacher) leads a somatic movement and visualisation practice inspired by the Summer Solstice and the solar plexus chakra, exploring themes of warmth and embodied presence through gentle, flowing movement. 

Emma Turnbull (BWY partner) weaves yoga and Ayurveda into simple daily rituals, mindful movement and breathwork, helping practitioners move into summer with steadiness and ease. Vicky Arundel (BWY Tutor) combines myofascial release, acupressure and nervous system regulation to address the ‘tired but wired’ feeling that can intensify in our high-summer culture.

Completing the line-up, Richard Kravetz (BWY Special Yoga Tutor) leads a chair and wall-supported sensory practice designed with people with visual impairment in mind, yet enriching for all – an invitation to experience the solstice through touch, sound, breath and inner awareness. Emma Tian Williamson (Qigong practitioner and mindfulness teacher) integrates mindfulness, Qigong and yoga to cultivate calm, spacious presence and a deeper sense of inner glow.

Beyond the online retreat, BWY communities from Cambridge to the Welsh Hills and County Durham to the South Coast are hosting local festivals where practitioners can meet yoga teachers on their doorstep, discover new styles and enjoy the unique energy of practising together in person.

BWY Chair, Diana O’Reilly told That's Health: “At the BWY, we believe that yoga is for everyone, whatever your background, ability or experience. These festivals, both online and across our local communities, are a wonderful expression of that belief in action. 

"They bring people together, deepen connection and remind us that when we practise as one community, something truly special happens. The Summer Solstice feels like the perfect moment to celebrate how far we have come and to open our doors wider.”

For full details on all local and national celebrations, including booking links, visit the BWY website https://www.bwy.org.uk

BWY and Parkinson’s UK partner to bring accessible yoga to people with Parkinson’s

The British Wheel of Yoga (BWY), the UK’s largest yoga charity and National Governing Body for yoga in England and Wales, has partnered with Parkinson’s UK to make yoga more accessible for people living with Parkinson’s, their families and carers.

On Friday 10 April, to mark World Parkinson’s Day (11 April), the organisations will host a free 45-minute online chair yoga class designed specifically for people with Parkinson’s, those who support them, and yoga teachers keen to adapt their classes for this community.

Led by Special Yoga Teacher and BWY Tutor Richard Kravetz, the session will share safe, practical movements and breathing techniques that can be done seated, with or without additional support.

Recent figures from Parkinson’s UK estimate that around 166,000 people in the UK are currently living with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, with figures expected to rise due to an ageing population. Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological condition that affects movement, causing symptoms such as tremor, stiffness and slowness.

A recent study of the effects of yoga on people with Parkinson’s disease found that yoga improved motor function, balance, functional mobility, anxiety, depression and quality of life in people with Parkinson’s.

BWY Chair, Diana O’Reilly told That's Heealth: "Yoga can be hugely beneficial for people with Parkinson’s. 

"Gentle chair-based practices can be adapted for almost everyone, which means people can participate safely whether they are newly diagnosed or have been living with Parkinson’s for many years. 

"Through this partnership, we want to give more teachers the tools they need to welcome people with Parkinson’s into their classes and to make sure no one feels that yoga ‘isn’t for them’.’

Jed Parsons, Physical Activity Delivery Manager for Parkinsons UK, commented: "I’m really excited about our partnership with the British Wheel of Yoga because it has the potential to make a genuine, lasting difference for people living with Parkinson’s. Yoga can be a powerful way to support strength, balance, mobility and wellbeing, but too often people feel that classes aren’t accessible or suitable for them.

"By working together, we can give yoga teachers the confidence, skills and understanding to adapt their practice, create welcoming environments and ensure that people with Parkinson’s feel included from the very first session. 

This partnership is about removing barriers, challenging perceptions, and making it clear that yoga is for everyone, whether someone is newly diagnosed or has been living with Parkinson’s for many years.’

For full event details and to book your place, visit the event page: https://portal.bwy.org.uk/user/events/1122. Please note, you will need to create a free account on the BWY website or log in to your existing account to complete your booking.

BWY is committed to sharing yoga’s transformative power and rich heritage through events and education. Guided by yoga’s principles and traditions, BWY’s mission is to enrich lives through yoga, increasing accessibility and inclusivity. 

Established as a registered charity in 1965 and recognised as the National Governing Body for Yoga by Sport England and Sport Wales, BWY serves more than 5,000 members and is supported by a 100-strong local volunteer network and a small central team.

https://www.bwy.org.uk

Parkinson’s UK is the leading charity for people affected by Parkinson’s, here to support every Parkinson’s journey, every step of the way. The charity campaigns for better health and care, funds groundbreaking research into new treatments and runs life-changing support services, uniting a powerful community with one mission: improving life with Parkinson’s. 

Physical activity is a key part of this, helping people manage symptoms, stay mobile, build confidence and support their mental wellbeing. Parkinson’s UK works to make sure people with Parkinson’s have safe, inclusive and meaningful opportunities to move, stay active and remain independent for as long as possible.

https://www.parkinsons.org.uk