Health & Safety Policy

Purpose

At Authentic Yoga & Wellbeing we take your health and safety very seriously. Whilst working in community venues we aim to provide a safe, secure, comfortable, and supportive environment for all participants allowing you to participate within the range of your own ability and fully enjoy your sessions.

Teacher Responsibilities

As a sole yoga teacher, I am responsible for:

Providing safe, well‑planned yoga sessions suitable for mixed abilities.
Checking the venue before each class to ensure it is clean, safe, and fit for use.
Identifying and managing risks through ongoing assessment.
Responding appropriately to accidents, incidents, or health concerns.
Keeping basic first‑aid knowledge up to date.
Maintaining public liability insurance.

Venue Safety Checks

Before each class, the teacher will check:

Floors: clean, dry, and free from trip hazards.
Lighting & ventilation: adequate for safe movement and relaxation.
Temperature: comfortable for physical activity.
Emergency exits: unlocked, clearly marked, and unobstructed.
Equipment: mats and props in good condition; no damaged items.
Space: enough room for safe spacing between participants.

Any hazards identified will be removed, reduced, or reported to the venue manager.

Participant Safety

To support safe practice, the teacher will:

Request participants to complete a health questionnaire prior to their first session.
Encourage participants to disclose relevant health conditions confidentially.
Offer pose variations and modifications to suit different abilities.
Use clear, consent‑based communication for physical adjustments.
Remind participants to work within their own limits and stop if they feel pain or discomfort.
Ensure hydration breaks and rest periods are available when needed.

Equipment & Props

Participants are encouraged to bring their own mats and props.
Shared equipment will be cleaned regularly and kept in good condition.
Damaged equipment will be removed from use immediately.

Incident & Accident Management

If an accident or incident occurs:

The teacher will respond calmly and appropriately.
First aid will be given if within the teacher’s competence.
Emergency services will be contacted if required.
An incident record will be completed as soon as possible.
The venue manager will be informed where relevant.

Fire Safety & Emergencies

The teacher will:

Familiarise themselves with the venue’s fire exits, alarms, and assembly points.
Communicate emergency procedures to participants when necessary.
Lead evacuation calmly if an alarm sounds.

Health Considerations

Participants are encouraged to:

Inform the teacher of injuries, medical conditions, or pregnancy.
Work at their own pace and rest when needed.
Avoid attending class if unwell with symptoms that may affect safe participation.

The teacher will not diagnose or treat medical conditions but may advise participants to seek medical guidance before continuing yoga practice.

Manual Handling & Adjustments

Physical adjustments will be minimal, consent‑based, and respectful.
The teacher will avoid any adjustment that risks injury to themselves or the participant.
Children will not be physically adjusted unless essential and with parental consent.

Insurance & Compliance

The teacher will maintain:

Public liability insurance
Professional indemnity insurance
Up‑to‑date first‑aid awareness
Compliance with venue‑specific health and safety requirements

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner if:

Venue requirements change
Legislation or best practice updates
An incident indicates a need for revision

Policy dated: 18/09/26 A. C. Sisson