The room was 105°F. A student pushed through the dizziness, fainted during Eagle pose, and cracked her head on the mirror. She suffered a concussion. She sued, claiming the room was “unreasonably dangerous” and I failed to monitor her condition.
Key Takeaways
- “Heat” is a Pollutant? Believe it or not, some weird GL policies try to exclude high heat under “environmental” clauses. Ensure “Hot Yoga” is a named activity.
- Premises Liability: The studio is liable for the environment (temp/humidity). The teacher is liable for the instruction (“stay in the room”).
- Waiver Specificity: Does your waiver explicitly mention “High Heat” and “Risk of Fainting”?
- Hydration Duty: Did you deny her water? Did you “lock the door”? Those are negligent acts.
The “Why”: The Negligence Per Se
The Trap:
If you lock the door (common in Bikram style), you might be committing False Imprisonment or Gross Negligence if a student needs to leave.
Insurance covers negligence. It does NOT cover “Gross Negligence” (reckless disregard for safety).
If the room temp exceeded industry standards (e.g., it was 115°F because the thermostat broke), you created a hazard.
The Investigation: I Quoted 3 Major Carriers
1. Tapco (Surplus Lines)
- My Analysis: Many standard carriers won’t write Hot Yoga because of the mold/heat risk. Tapco writes it. They are expensive but cover the specific heat liability.
2. K&K Insurance
- My Analysis: They cover Hot Yoga, but they will ask for your HVAC maintenance logs during a claim. If the system malfunctioned, they subrogate against the HVAC company.
3. Student’s Health Insurance
- My Analysis: They will pay the ER bill, then sue the studio. Your GL policy must have “Medical Payments” coverage to handle the immediate ambulance bill ($5k) to discourage a lawsuit.
[IMAGE: Photo of a studio thermometer reading 104°F]
Comparison Table: Hot Yoga Risks
| Carrier | Hot Yoga Surcharge? | Medical Payments Limit | Best For… |
| Tapco | Yes | $5,000 | Studio Owners |
| K&K | No | $5,000 | Teachers |
| Standard | Excluded | $0 | Avoid |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Unlock the Doors: Never lock students in.
- Monitor Temp: Keep a log. If it spikes, cancel class.
- Encourage Breaks: Tell students “Child’s pose and water are always available.”
- Waiver: Must say “I understand the room is heated to 105°F and accept the risks.”
FAQ
Is 105 degrees legal?
Yes, but you have a higher duty of care.
What if they refused water?
“Contributory Negligence.” They are partly at fault.
Can I teach Hot Yoga with a standard certification?
Yes, usually.