Do I Need A Liability Waiver To Teach Yoga?
It’s probably not a stretch to say that you didn’t get into teaching yoga for the paperwork. However, understanding the legal implications of being an instructor is crucial for you to continue to do what you love for a long time. Unfortunately, injuries and accidents do occur in all activities that involve physical movement, so having your students sign a liability waiver can help ensure that you are better protected in the event that something happens. At the same time, it is important to note that liability waivers are not only to protect you, they also help inform the student about what yoga practice entails and what risks may be involved.
So, what exactly is a liability waiver? Well, in simple terms a liability waiver is a legal document that spells out what occurs during a yoga session and that it is the responsibility of the student to stop if there is any pain or discomfort. They also typically require that the student alert the instructor about any limitations or existing medical conditions before class. The student then consents (called an Agreement of Release) to assume the full risk, which means they are precluded from holding you or the studio responsible for injuries. This agreement should be signed and dated by every student.
Now, it is important to note that a liability waiver may not protect you from getting sued in all cases. Certain actions are outside of the scope of these agreements (such as if a injury occurred due to some preventable hazard that you or the studio knew about but didn’t correct), so be cautious in assuming that you are protected from any and all lawsuits.
Because these documents are legal in nature, they require specific language to be effective, so having an attorney draft them is preferred. However, due to the boilerplate nature of waivers, many sites do offer them at low-cost. Stretchtopia, for example, includes a waiver as part of its corporate yoga toolkit for under $100. Remember that state law can vary and that these documents and the information in this post do not constitute legal advice.
In addition to this document, you should also obtain liability insurance that will help shield you in the event that an incident occurs and you do get sued. These policies can vary by price and level of protection, so it can be helpful to shop around.
So, that is liability waivers in a nutshell. While we all hope for smooth sailing along your yoga teaching journey, accidents do happen. However, with some basic planning you can put yourself in the best position to avoid significant stress and financial hardships and keep the focus on doing what you enjoy.