Informed Consent and Yoga Class Descriptions: A Professional Guide

Are you upfront about the details of your classes?

A yoga class description should clearly outline any sensory elements, props, or non-asana elements used during the session. This enables the student to have informed consent, protects their wellbeing, and safeguards your professional liability.

A lack of clarity in your yoga class description can lead to student distress, complaints, or even insurance complications. Where you think you’re adding value, you might be causing harm.

It’s why your yoga class advertising needs to be transparent, and offer clarity. Let’s use two popular examples: singing bowls and essential oils.

Can Singing Bowls Trigger Students?

Singing bowls have become increasingly popular in yoga classes, often being used to enhance relaxation during savasana. For many students the sound is deeply grounding. For others, it is anything but relaxing.

Here’s some complaints we have heard about singing bowls:

• PTSD Triggers: For someone who has trauma linked to sound (or may be particularly vulnerable in a relaxed state), the vibrating tones of the singing bowl can cause panic, dissociation and flashbacks.
• Tinnitus aggravation: Everyone has different triggers, the frequencies produced by the bowls can intensify the ringing or buzzing for those who suffer with tinnitus.
• Sensory overwhelm: Students with sensory processing sensitivities may find the tones physically uncomfortable or distressing. Particularly when in a quiet, enclosed space.

All of this is not to say you cannot use singing bowls. It’s all about transparency. Your students should know what to expect before class begins.

• Mention the use of a singing bowl in class description: If your class listing just mentions ‘Vinyasa Yoga’ students have no reason to expect a singing bowl to be used. Adding a simple note such as “This class includes the use of a singing bowl during savasana” is all that is needed!
• Give a verbal heads-up: A quick announcement at the start of class goes a long way! You can say something like “I’ll be using a singing bowl during the closing meditation, if you’d prefer not to be present for that, you’re welcome to leave quietly”. You may also want to mention that the bowl will be loud for the mats closest to you, and they may want to move away if they don’t enjoy it.
• Make leaving early easy: Consider how you can position the room so that if a student does decide to leave, it doesn’t feel like all eyes are on them.

Are Essential Oils Safe To Use In Yoga Class?

Essential oils are another popular addition to yoga classes. They may be diffused into the air or applied directly (after dilution) to students during savasana.

Oils are intended to aid relaxation, but there are real risks to consider:

• Migraines and headaches: Strong scents (even if they’re natural) can be a migraine trigger. A student who came to class to relieve tension could end up leaving with a debilitating headache.
• Allergic reactions: Essential oils can cause skin irritations, rashes, respiratory problems, or full allergic reactions.
• Respiratory issues: Students with asthma or other respiratory conditions can be significantly impacted by diffused oils in an enclosed room.
• Pregnancy considerations: Some oils are considered unsafe during pregnancy, and a student in their first trimester may not feel comfortable sharing this information publicly.

Again, all of this is not to say you cannot use essential oils, you just need to get clear consent and take all considerations into account.

• State it in advance: Your class description should clearly indicate if essential oil will be used, what type of oil, and whether it will be diffused/applied.
• Always gain consent before applying oils: This is a non-negotiable. Touching a student and applying a substance on their skin without asking is a boundary issue as well as a health and safety one. Always ask, and always respect ‘no’.
• Allow them to opt-out: You can use consent cards, or maybe a simple hand signal system. Whatever method works for your setting, make sure it’s in place and your students know at the start.
• Consider your space: If you’re diffusing oils, remember that everyone in the room is breathing them in. There isn’t an ‘opt out’ for a diffuser, which makes clear advertising even more important.

The Key Takeaway? Advertise With Integrity

The above are just examples of a wider principle: students must know exactly what they are signing up to. At the very least, ensure you are meeting Advertising Standards. They are the authority in the UK that ensures you are not misleading students.

If your class includes anything beyond what a student would reasonably expect from the style and level advertised, it should be clearly communicated. This includes adjustments, chanting, mantras, breath work, temperature, props, music, and the list goes on.

Transparency and communication go a long way. It’s all about informed consent. Your students are trusting you with their physical, and emotional, wellbeing.

What Is Informed Consent In A Yoga Class?

Informed consent means that students understand what will happen in a class before they attend, including sensory elements, physical contact, substances used, and environmental factors. It allows them to make a voluntary and educated decision to participate. They can change their mind on this at any time.

Your Professional Responsibility

As a yoga professional, your duty of care extends beyond safe alignment. It includes creating a safe environment where students can make informed decisions. When a student has a negative (physical or psychological) reaction to something they weren’t warned about, it’s a failure in communication that can have real consequences on you as the teacher. It can damage your reputation, and may implicate your insurance.

Adding a few extra lines to your yoga class description and being transparent to your class sends a powerful message that you respect your students and that you take them seriously. It demonstrates that you're a professional who understands that good teaching comes from good communication.

What Should I Include In My Yoga Class Description?

Besides the usual details of location, timing, price and who the class is best for. You’ll want to make sure to detail any props, physical touch or sensory elements that will be utilised throughout class. Mention if they are able to opt-out of these discreetly.

It’s always a good idea to prepare your students for class, so you might want to give them details on if they should bring their own props and what they should wear as a recommendation.

A Reminder…

Before your next class, ask yourself:

• Does my yoga class description accurately reflect everything that will happen in the session?

• Have I mentioned any tools, substances, or sensory elements I’ll be using?
• Do my students know they can opt out of any element without pressure or judgement?
• Am I asking for consent before any physical contact or application of substances?
• Would a new student walking into my class feel fully informed about what to expect?

If the answer to any of these is ‘no’ then now it is the time to make a change.

YogaPros are here to support you in building a safe, professional and thriving teaching practice. If you have questions about your duty of care and best practice guidelines, we’re happy to help!

Become a professional today, if you haven't already.