Yoga as an alternative fitness workout program is continually gaining ground across Australia. In fact, hundreds of dedicated yoga studios and some commercial gyms offering yoga classes are becoming widespread over the years. More than relieving taut muscles and addressing bodily pains, it so happens that yoga also relaxes the mind leaving busybodies virtually attracted to its benefits. No wonder many experienced yoga lovers are doing their best to get certified. Armed with their fitness Australia insurance alternative policy and love for yoga, various courses are being opened both online and studio-based.
But like any fitness activity, however, injuries can also happen to any yoga fitness program. While most yoga-caused injuries are not serious and only a few made into court battles, such incidents are preventable. Here are some tips given by professional sports medicine doctors to prevent injury.
- Always strive to go deep into form and technique by dissecting human anatomy. Many yoga teachers mastered yoga Asanas (poses) from hands-on experience but some are virtually ignorant on alignment and anatomy. It is important to note that not all students have the same structure with some yoga poses riskier to others. Knowing more about these aspects will help give students more positive results sans injury.
- Always emphasize body awareness to students. Yoga postures should not be hurried and so does overexertion. Teach students how to properly listen to their bodies. Encourage them to break around their limitations but not to the point of harming themselves. It is their own body that can accurately differentiate what’s liberating and what’s harmful. Make clear that students can honor such feelings and can adjust their posturing during a class.
- Offer alternate asanas or perhaps, more modified or tailored pacing to accommodate certain physical limitations. Some poses are just not cut for others. It could be due to body structure or pre-existing conditions. Always instill in their minds to stop when they are not comfortable with certain poses and look for alternative ones to ease their discomfort. As a rule: encourage students but don’t push them beyond their safe limits.
- Get safety training and other forms of continuing education workshops. Yoga is an ancient practice and certain variations have been made by professionals to ensure the safety of such practice. Learning more should be your mantra.
These safety tips are meant to protect not just students but also your welfare as a yoga teacher. Even with a dependable liability clause on your fitness Australia insurance alternative policy, being embroiled in a legal battle due to neglect or malpractice can be damning to a yoga instructor or any fitness trainer. So always take time to master your craft. Encourage. Motivate. But never sacrifice safety just to prove a point.