I queued “Sirsasana” (Headstand) for the class. A beginner kicked up against the wall, slipped, and collapsed, compressing her cervical spine. She is suing for “Negligent Instruction,” claiming I shouldn’t have taught an advanced inversion to a beginner class.
Key Takeaways
- Assessment of Capability: Did you assess if the student was ready? If you let a total novice invert without spotting, that is negligence.
- “Failure to Spot”: If you were spotting someone else, you couldn’t spot her.
- Wall vs. Middle of Room: Using the wall is a safety measure. If you forced them into the middle of the room, liability increases.
- Cervical Spine Exclusion: Some cheap policies exclude injuries to the neck/spine from inversions. Check your exclusions!
The “Why”: The High-Risk Maneuver
The Trap:
Inversions are the #1 cause of catastrophic yoga injuries.
Plaintiff’s argument: “The risk of paralysis outweighs the benefit of the pose.”
Your defense: “Assumption of Risk.”
However, if you didn’t offer a Modification (e.g., Dolphin pose), you failed the standard of care.
The Investigation: I Quoted 3 Major Carriers
1. Yoga Journal (RPG)
- My Analysis: The “Teachers Plus” policy is robust. They understand inversions are part of yoga. They defend these claims regularly.
2. Alternative Balance
- My Analysis: They emphasize the waiver. If the waiver didn’t mention “Inversions” specifically, they might settle faster than you want.
3. General Gym Policy
- My Analysis: If you teach at a gym, their policy might ban headstands. If you taught it anyway, you violated facility rules -> Negligence -> Denial.
[IMAGE: Graphic showing “Progression to Headstand” steps]
Comparison Table: Inversion Coverage
| Carrier | Covers Headstands? | Requires Spotting? | Spine Limit? |
| RPG | Yes | No | Full Limit |
| Alt. Balance | Yes | No | Full Limit |
| Cheap Policy | Check Exclusions | Yes | Possible Sub-limit |
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Teach Progressions: Never just say “Go up.” Teach the steps.
- Mandatory Wall: For beginners, require the wall.
- “Stop” Command: “If you have neck issues, do not do this.”
- Spotting: Only spot if you are confident and have consent. A bad spot is worse than no spot.
FAQ
Can I ban headstands in my class?
Yes. It’s your room.
What if they did it before I said go?
“Failure to Follow Instructions.” Good defense for you.
Is Shoulderstand safer?
Actually, Shoulderstand causes more neck injuries than Headstand. Be careful.