By Paul M. Jerard Jr.

When or if, you want to become a Yoga teacher - would you be thinking of litigation and Yoga? The old saying, “the truth hurts,” applies to legality, ethics, and teaching Yoga. You can always “bury your head in the sand” and hope that you are never involved in a legal battle. After all, what kind of a student would sue his or her Yoga teacher? Doctors must ask each other this question every day. Sorry, but denial will not help you in a court of law.

Instead of denying the obvious, you can take action, by learning how the law applies to your Yoga business. You can also start creating policies that protect your students, and insure that you are giving quality Yoga instruction for the rest of your life.

It has been said that “Knowledge is Power,” and this could never be more true than when it comes down to knowing the “Letter of the Law.” Just like when a Yoga student first learns to develop his or her awareness from Yoga and meditation practice - Yoga teachers must develop an awareness of legality, as it pertains to their Yoga businesses.

For the average Yoga teacher, the thought of litigation, as a result of a student entering his or her Yoga class, is depressing. Many Yoga teachers and interns pursue the rewarding career of teaching Yoga as “Good Samaritans.” Yoga teachers are very often generous with their time, effort, and services.

It is “heartbreaking” for me to tell “giving people,” with the best of intentions, that they can be sued at any time. In this climate of litigation, anyone, even a Yoga teacher, can have a lawsuit filed against them. Defending yourself, in a court of law, can and does, create physical, spiritual, mental, and financial exhaustion.

As a result of this reality, this requires protective action on the part of all Yoga teachers. Look at this as a prevention program and a compliment to your current liability insurance policy. “I didn’t know,” will not save any of us from the wrath of the law.

Review your liability insurance and your release forms. Most Yoga teachers should have their attorney review their release forms. The days of a simple one page waiver form are over. A documented health questionnaire may help you to prevent a sudden legal catastrophe. This is not required, but serves as a tangible document to know each Yoga student a little better.

Just remember that a potential Yoga student has the legal right to refuse to fill out a questionnaire, if they so desire. This does leave you “flying blind,” when teaching Yoga classes to students whose current health condition is a mystery.

Therefore, always mention contraindications for asanas. It would be prudent to have an information packet, with contraindications, and prenatal warnings included. You could also include a slip for Yoga students to sign, which indicates that they have read, and understand, that Yoga can be a risk for some health conditions.

Lastly, it is better to lose a potential Yoga student, than to teach one at the risk of his or her health.

© Copyright 2006 – Paul Jerard / Aura Publications

About The Author

Paul Jerard is director of Yoga teacher training at Aura in RI. He’s a master instructor of martial arts and Yoga. He teaches that along with fitness. He wrote: Is Running a Yoga Business Right for You? For Yoga students who want to be a teacher.
http://www.yoga-teacher-training.org/index.html

By Van Whitsett

You have successfully registered with a dating site and are now all geared for your first online date. Remember, first impression is the last impression; your first online date has to be no less than perfect. Follow the tips mentioned below to start good on your first date online.

Tips for an effective first online date:
Before going for your first online date, please follow the following tips:

Judgment: You have only the writing of the other person and probably a still photograph to judge him/her. Read between the lines and be very canny in judging people. If your instincts say negative about your dating partner, then trust your instincts and cease your relationship.

Signals: Look for positive or negative signals from the other person. You may even prompt him/her to respond and then from the response you may gauge his/her personality.

Information: Try gathering as much information about the other person as much is possible. Probe them as much as possible without hurting their comfort levels and then try judging your dating partner with your entire judgement knack. Do ensure that the person you are interacting with is worth the date. Even the slightest overlooking of facts can land you in trouble.
Review: Take your trustworthy and close friends’ views on the other person. They may find something in the partner that probably you skipped. They know you also and may be able to opine you about your next step. Second opinion is always best in the cases of uncertainty.

Choice set: Do ask the other person, their likes and dislikes and compare them with your choice sets. Let the other person know about your likes and dislikes also so that he/she also analyzes things at their end. Moreover, if the both of you feel that you have the same choice set or at least you can celebrate the difference then you may ho ahead.

Communication: Communicate a lot before going in for the date. Send a lot of emails, chat on the messenger, and talk on the phone. However, just ensure that your first date should be special. Your misinterpretation may cost you your first ever-dating experience. So, just give each other ample time to know each other very well before stepping out together.

Your first online date should go well if you try incorporating the points mentioned above. Your personal way of dealing, however, does matter in finally steering your relationship. Be cautious when dealing online and take the right moves; do not just be drifted emotionally. I am sure you will not want to land yourself in trouble!

About The Author

Van Whitsett has published a number of articles, both online and off. For more information about dating, visit: Dating