Why you need to tell your yoga teacher about your health?
I was chatting to a fellow yoga teacher and the conversation turned towards the perspective that people have on their own health and what they think is important to share with their yoga teacher. So as a continuation of my risk assessment blogs I thought I would write for all yoga class attendees explaining why yoga teachers ask you to complete a health questionnaire when you first start doing Yoga.
When joining a new yoga class the teacher is likely to ask you to complete a health questionnaire. At a minimum they will ask you about any health issues or injuries they should be made aware of.
Your honesty is crucial.
The reason for this is for your own safety. It is not to exclude anyone from yoga.
Yoga classes come in a variety of styles, intensity or level of complexity. It is important that you join the right class for your ability and health. You may be an advanced yogi but if you have had a serious injury or surgical procedure you will need to allow your body to heal and return to yoga at a more gentle level of practice.
Yoga teachers are registered, insured and trained in first aid. As part of their insurance and management of risk they will need to complete a class risk assessment. Assessing attendees at class for changes in health or injuries is a way of minimising risk and harm to people in class. Adaptation to poses or sequences can be made to support those participating in class, if the teacher knows about your health or injuries. If you don't tell the teacher you could cause harm to yourself.
Common injuries
Wrist, ankle, hip, back, muscle aches pains or strains. Please tell the teacher. Adaptations can be made to poses.
Seasonal bugs and viruses
We are heading towards autumns and winter in the UK. The season for coughs, colds, sore throats and the like. The viruses that make you feel like this are contagious and if you have children they share everything with you! Hugs and bugs! They are self limiting and you feel bad for a short time maybe missing a class or 2. However if you are unlucky enough to get Diarrhoea and Vomiting please do not attend a yoga class, work or college until at least 48 hours after the last episode of Diarrhoea or Vomiting. Stay at home to limit any spread of this nasty bug.
After surgery
This is very important to the yoga teacher. All surgery including spinal and joint replacements need to be disclosed to your yoga teacher.
You can't drive for at least 6 weeks after surgery so please respect your body's need to heal. Time is the best healer. If you have a regular yoga teacher make contact with them before arriving for class. You can then personally discuss your surgery, where you are in recovery, physiotherapy input and they can either suggest attending a low intensity class or maybe a 1:1 to see how you are recovering. Please do not be offended if you turn up for yoga class after any surgery and the teacher advises you to wait a while longer before restarting yoga class.
Chronic health conditions
This may be your normal and living with a chronic health condition doesn't stop you from doing anything you want. That's brilliant. Please tell the yoga teacher about these conditions. They may not be an issue for you but the teacher NEEDS to know. This includes heart or cardiac diseases, diabetes, epilepsy, hypertension (high blood pressure), hypotension ( low blood pressure) lung or breathing conditions, digestive conditions, arthritis and cancer. This list is not exclusive. Your yoga teacher can advise on poses to avoid or those that benefit you most if they know about your health.
Pregnancy
Even during the first trimester (below 12 weeks) your hormones are changing and this affects your body as it prepares for the developing pregnancy. Please tell your yoga teacher if you are pregnant. If your teacher is trained in pre-post natal yoga they will be able to advise you on postures or even whether the class is suitable for you (or not) whilst you are pregnant. They will be able to signpost you to a pregnancy yoga class.
Yoga is a wonderful form of exercise that can be adapted to suit everyone. However to ensure your safety and enjoyment from the yoga class the yoga teacher needs to know about any health issues. Please respect the yoga teachers expertise and professionalism if they say that they do not know enough about your health condition to support you in their yoga class. I am sure they will be able to put you in touch with another yoga teacher who teaches the style of yoga that will suit you perfectly.
I wish you many hours of enjoyment and safe yoga practice.