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Covid-19 working guidelines
[vc_column_text]Wherever you are in the world, you are quite likely to be restricted by regional or national guidelines regarding your work as a yoga teacher or as a yoga therapist. Large group classes can be unsafe during these times, and it seems that teaching is slowly evolving into more private, safer settings, which is ideal for yoga therapy. Even if you start working in smaller groups or individual classes, it is essential that you follow the safety measures recommended by your government or regulatory organizations.Here we also offer you some general guidelines that you might find useful for your case study practices and one-on-one sessions:
- Make sure your space is suitable for private sessions as follows:
- Make sure there is enough space for your mats to be positioned at least 2 meters away from each other.
- Clean the mats and props with anti-bacterial spray or alcohol (not with tea-tree oil or other natural substances, as they are not effective at cleaning many bacteria and viruses).
- Have the windows open as much as you can, even if it is a little cold. Ventilation with fresh air is essential.
- Schedule at least one hour in between clients with the windows wide open.
- Make sure regulations are also followed in the common areas (kitchen, toilets, waiting room etc.).
- Leave shoes and coats outside in a separate area.
- Supply hand sanitiser before entering the studio/room.
- Have a box of face masks available in case they are needed.
- When working with high risk clients consider doing as much as possible online (for instance, the first intake and some of the classes, homework, recordings etc.).
- High risk clients are anyone over 60 and anyone suffering or with a history of:
- Autoimmune disease
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Asthma or respiratory issues
- Degenerative disease
- Obesity
- Cancer
- Carers or people living with elderly and senior citizens, or any of the above
- Hospital and medical staff (they might be a risk to you, so take extra precautions)
- After each session or whenever touching any surfaces that might be infected, wash your hands with soap following the instructions from the WHO: https://www.who.int/gpsc/clean_hands_protection/en/.
- Keep your distance from your client at all times, do not touch your client (you can show them how to prepare their restorative position).
- Do not share your props with your clients, and students should have their own set of props which they can clean afterwards. Invite your students to bring their own mat, if possible.
- Use the blankets for your client ONLY and hang them outside overnight or air them properly until the day after (you might have to invest in extra blankets).
- Do not chant or sing.
- If you think your client has Covid or you feel insecure, please do not hesitate to advise them to stay home and follow the procedure for being tested.
- If any of your clients or students test positive, you need to inform your other clients and students and close for 10 days.
FINALLY: If you decide to continue working as a yoga therapist/teacher during these times, you need to be extremely strict with your own exposure. You should wear your mask in public places, shops etc., and you need to limit your social environment to those in your own household – or meet a friend outside, keeping your distance – avoid bars and large groups at weddings, parties, birthdays etc. You have a responsibility over your yoga therapy clients as they are often part of the vulnerable population.
You can do really good work supporting your community and keeping your business going during these challenging times when yoga therapy is needed more than ever. If you have any questions please contact us by email and we will do our best to help.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
