Yoga Scotland are closely following the evolving situation and will provide updates to our members when we are able. Please be aware that as an organisation run by volunteers we are not always able to instantly respond or provide updates to our members. It may be the case that your query requires additional guidance or clarification from Sport Scotland, we thank you for your patience.
Update 2nd May 2021
Guidance to Levels
Level 4: Outdoor yoga classes can take place for up to 15 people which includes the teacher with no hands on assists. 2 metre physical distancing between mats.
Level 3: Outdoor yoga classes can take place for up to 30 people which includes the teacher with no hands on assists. 1-2-1 indoor yoga is permitted. Indoor yoga classes for under 18’s are permitted. 2 metre physical distancing between mats.
Level 2: Outdoor yoga classes can take place for up to 30 people which includes the teacher. 1-2-1 indoor yoga is permitted. Indoor yoga classes permitted with no hand on assists. 2 metre physical distancing between mats.
Level 1: Outdoor yoga classes can take place for up to 30 people which includes the teacher. 1-2-1 indoor yoga is permitted. Indoor yoga classes permitted with no hand on assists. 2 metre physical distancing between mats.
Level 0: Outdoor yoga classes can take place for up to 30 people which includes the teacher. Indoor yoga classes permitted. 1-2-1 indoor yoga is permitted. 2 metre physical distancing between mats .
The number of participants allowed to take part in indoor sport or physical activity must be risk assessed by the operator following Scottish Government Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance on the opening of indoor and outdoor sport and leisure facilities and sport specific SGB Guidance.
Travel Guidance
Participants aged 18 years or over can travel to and from a Level 0, 1 and 2 area to take part in organised sport, physical activity, training and competition. They should not travel to a Level 3 or 4 area.
Adults living in a Level 3 area should only travel locally or to another Level 3 area to take part in organised sport or physical activity as outlined in Table A.
Adults living in a Level 4 area should only travel locally to take to take part in organised sport or physical activity.
Face coverings
Face coverings must be worn by coaches when indoors, except where an exemption applies. For instance: where an individual has a health condition or is disabled, including hidden disabilities, for example, autism, dementia or a learning disability or if there is a reasonable excuse not to wear a face covering such as:
- where there is difficulty in communicating with participants who may not be close by and safety is an issue i.e. in a swimming lesson. In such cases alternative measures should be considered such as use of a face visor.
- being physically active or exercising as part of the coached session.
- The priority should be on ensuring the safety of the coach and participants and minimising the risk of virus transmission before, during and after activity.
Guidelines – Venue Expectations – Yoga Scotland – 2020/21
Yoga Scotland expects the safety measures below to be in place at any venue teachers use to adhere to covid-19 protocol.
A risk assessment must be completed by the Teacher and a paper copy should be signed and kept to ensure evidence of the check being completed.
These guidelines have been adapted from government guidelines and standards being established by public venues/studios/indoor spaces operated in Scotland during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Yoga Scotland is committed to ensuring that it’s Teachers and their class participants, are safe and have a clear understanding of these guidelines.
The following guidelines are in accordance with government guidelines following the announcement that that indoor sport facilities and gyms can reopen from 31 August 2020 onwards
Hygiene measures at venue:
- Mats not to be in circles or face to face – guidance on distancing indoors is still 2 metres in Scotland.
- Hand sanitation on entering the building and/or studio room
- Soap, paper towels, hand drier available in the WC areas
- No tea/coffee, shared food area – participants bring their own refreshments / water bottles
- Removal of all non-essential equipment
- Studio door handles, toilets, floors should be cleaned prior to the start of the session. Appropriate cleaning regularly throughout the day. Touch spots like door handles, flush handles to be disinfected between each use, disinfectant to be provided.
- Protocol for contact & trace measures if anyone develops symptoms post session
- Protocol for a participant who develops Covid-19 symptoms while in situ
- No congregating in doorways. Adhering to the 2 metre distance guidelines at all times, as best as possible. Ideally, venues will have one-way systems in place to follow.
- Foot sanitising if possible
- When teaching on carpets, if the carpets cannot be disinfected or steam cleaned, then a protective layer is suggested. This may be a sheet, dust sheet or a carpet protection film available from builders / decorator merchants
Personal safety:
- Participants to bring their own sanitised mat and equipment including a mask
- Participants to bring your own hand sanitiser
- Wash hands regularly during the day and avoid touching your face.
Teacher’s responsibility:
- Identifying high risk people and ensuring they do not attend class
- Risk assessment check list completed before class starts
- Ensure guidelines and safety measures are adhered to and participants feel safe
- Adequate ventilation measures are in place. Opening windows and doors if possible
- Practises such as nadi shodhana (or practices which require touching the face), or kapalabhati, bhastrika and simhasana (using a forceful exhale) as well as chanting, partner asana or physical assists or adjustment must be avoided.
Yoga Scotland insured teachers are covered to teach both indoors and outdoors when you are able to do so, subject to the Government guidelines.
Yoga Scotland insurance Information
Wellbeing Insurance confirmed the following extensions to insurance cover from 19/03/20. This is for members who have continued to take advantage of the Yoga Scotland membership discount with Wellbeing for teaching insurance:
Insurance underwriters have just made the following extensions to insurance cover. If you are planning to live stream yoga classes or pre-record yoga classes for your students, please read the update carefully.
In summary:
- Live streaming classes will be covered if the teacher can see the students and vice versa. These will be students known to the teacher including knowledge of students’ pre-existing medical conditions.
- Pre-recorded classes will be covered when
- Students have signed a legal disclaimer to state that participation in the class is at their own risk
- The online class is via a secure platform that requires a personal password/ID for the student to access the class
- Students are already registered with the teacher, are known to them, have previously attended at least one class or had an initial assessment with the teacher on a 1:1 basis or small class setting prior to the student participating
- The class must be suitable for remote teaching and the teacher must proactively discuss and encourage students to practice in a suitable environment
- The teacher doesn’t introduce new movements or poses that have not already seen their students practice.
To view and/or download the full Insurance update document please click here.
Guidelines and Risk assesment
