Yoga Australia and Health Funds. Working towards the health and wellbeing of Australians

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1 Yoga Australia and Health Funds Working towards the health and wellbeing of Australians Yoga Australia inc. 2013

2 Foreword Yoga Australia is the peak body for yoga teachers in Australia. It is a not- for- profit, incorporated association, consisting of members who are qualified yoga teachers and meet the association s standards. Over the past decade, yoga has gained a well- deserved reputation as a safe and effective complementary health practice for a wide range of conditions, further details of which are provided in this portfolio. It has also been shown that yoga can contribute to health and wellbeing, is inexpensive, and is a safe and effective approach to maintaining health, which in turn reduces the financial burden of healthcare. Yoga has also been shown to be beneficial to those with chronic illness and disease. The number of people in the community seeking out yoga classes for its health benefits has grown consistently in recent years, with many expressing their interest in health insurance rebates for the activity. A number of health insurance funds do currently provide rebates for yoga, with many yoga practitioners indicating a preference for funds that offer such rebates. As part of its strategic plan, Yoga Australia has established guidelines for best practice in yoga teaching and is currently implementing policies and procedures to facilitate this best practice. It is also establishing guidelines on what constitutes authentic and safe yoga practice to help educate the broader community. Yoga Australia believes that yoga has an important role to play in the wellbeing of Australians and reduction of overall healthcare costs. Accordingly, we believe that it is in the interests of all stakeholders involved in healthcare for the broader public to have access to yoga classes. The availability of health insurance rebates is a valuable part of the equation. On behalf of the Yoga Australia National Management Committee I encourage you to consider that yoga and Yoga Australia registered teachers have a valuable role to play in the health and wellbeing of Australians. Leigh Blashki President Yoga Australia leigh@yogaaustralia.org.au November 2013

3 Foreword Mission Did You Know? What Is Yoga? What Happens In A Typical Yoga Class? Leading the Way Brief History & Role Governance and Management Membership & High Professional Standards Yoga Australia & PHI Accreditation Rules 2008 Yoga for Health - Research

4 Mission Yoga Australia is the peak body for yoga teaching in Australia. We are dedicated to representing yoga teachers from all traditions and styles in Australia. Yoga Australia s mission is to: Develop and promote best practice for yoga Support and represent yoga teachers in Australia from all traditions and styles Educate and inform the general community and professional groups about yoga Did You Know? Research undertaken during reveals that: 300,000 Australians practise yoga, taking at least 10 classes per year There are over 8,000 yoga teachers in Australia In a survey of 500 yoga teachers in 2012: 73% confirmed they belonged to a health fund 69% indicated they would change to a fund if it offered rebates for yoga classes 74% of non- health fund members advised they would consider joining a fund if it offered yoga rebates The nearly 2,200 Yoga Australia members, yoga teachers, influence the health and wellbeing decisions of over 110,000 Australians each week Published research confirms that yoga helps keep healthy people well and supports those who are not well in their day- to- day life, recovery and healing. For example, studies show that yoga: Is effective for the treatment of anxiety disorders, and particularly for obsessive- compulsive disorder Assists cancer patients in a number of ways by improving sleep, quality of life and mood, contributing to reduce stress levels, and increasing energy levels and acceptance Can be helpful in treating mild to severe depression through yoga- based interventions Provides positive effects on adults suffering from type 2 diabetes in several areas Boosts mind and body, helping to keep pregnancy a safer and enriched experience

5 What is Yoga? Yoga is an holistic approach to health and wellbeing. It increases flexibility, strength, and stamina, and also fosters relaxation, release from tension, self- awareness, emotional stability, and peace of mind. Yoga has gained a reputation for helping countless people deal with everyday stresses. These are achieved through the regular practice of a range of many different techniques. The practice of yoga typically includes: Postures and movement; Breath awareness and breathing exercises; Relaxation; and Concentration and meditation Ultimately, yoga is a practice that enhances an individual s mind- body wellbeing along with the wellbeing of the community. Different styles of yoga suit individuals differing needs. Some of the popular styles of yoga enjoyed by Australians include: General Hatha Iyengar Ashtanga Satyananda Classical Vinyasa Bikram Dru + more Historically, yoga was a complete approach to lifestyle, wellbeing and self- understanding, deriving from the traditional philosophies and wisdom of the Vedic tradition that flourished in India more than 2500 years ago. What happens in a typical yoga class? Yoga classes vary, depending on the particular style or tradition of the teacher or school. Participants usually practice on yoga/exercise mats. A one- hour yoga class typically includes: Breathing exercises and/or relaxation (about 5 mins) Physical warm up (about 5 mins) Yoga postures, movements and stretches (about 40 mins) Relaxation and/or meditation (about 10 mins) Meditation is usually an integral part of yoga and many yoga teachers may offer classes dedicated to the practice of meditation. Participants usually practise either on cushions on the floor, or seated on chairs. A meditation class typically includes: Breathing exercises and relaxation (about 10 mins) A first mental focusing and meditation (about 20 mins) A second mental focusing and meditation (20 mins) Returning to an outward focus and brief discussion (about 10 mins) Classes generally span 1 1½ hours. Cost per classes typically varies between $10 $25 depending on time, location, room hire and the teacher s experience.

6 Leading the Way As a lifestyle approach for individuals, yoga comprises a range of styles and traditions, acknowledging that individuals needs can be different. Yoga Australia leads the way by drawing together these styles and traditions in an association for all yoga teachers who meet the high entry standards. The association embraces best practice in yoga teaching including yoga teachers satisfying Continuing Professional Development (CPD), First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) requirements. Best practice is embraced in all aspects of the association s management. The profession of yoga teaching is self- regulatory. Yoga Australia has set high entry standards for membership. It requires compliance with its training standards, CPR requirements for continuing registration as a yoga teacher. Yoga Australia aims to ensure that its members, yoga teachers, offer best practice yoga in Australia, assuring the broader community that Yoga Australia teachers offer high standards of teaching. Brief History and Role Originally known as the Yoga Teachers Association Inc., Yoga Australia is a voluntary, not- for- profit association incorporated in 1999 by a group of teachers who recognised the need to bring yoga teachers together from all different traditions, styles and background independent from the teacher training providers. By providing mutual support for teachers and professional recognition of yoga in Australia, the association moved towards the development of independent self- regulation within the profession of yoga teaching. Yoga Australia is dedicated to promoting the practice of yoga (including meditation) and the highest standards of teaching by setting and maintaining professional and ethical standards for teachers. As part of its role, the association offers a variety of benefits to its members. These include professional support networks, development of recognised training requirements, support for continuing professional development, provision of representation and assistance with the promotion of the work of individual members. Yoga Australia seeks to develop and maintain professional relationships with the media, health professions and health insurance organisations. In addition, the association aims to inform the Australian community by providing advice and information about yoga, yoga teaching and yoga teachers.

7 Yoga is for everyone - Regardless of age, gender, flexibility or fitness

8 Governance and Management Yoga Australia is a not- for- profit organisation incorporated with Consumer Affairs Victoria (CAV). It is managed by a National Management Committee comprised of executive officers and additional committee members who are all qualified yoga teachers and members of Yoga Australia. In 2013, Yoga Australia s executive officers are: President Mr Leigh Blashki MHSc Vice President Ms Claire Nettley Treasurer Ms Tamara Ogilvie ACA Secretary Mrs Merryn Lee Perez B.Ed. The non- executive officers of the National Management Committee consist of one representative from each state/territory of Australia: Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, and ACT/Northern Territory/Tasmania six representatives in total. The states and territories each have a local committee dedicated to organising continuing professional development activities and engaging members in their area. The National Management Committee and Yoga Australia are supported by a general manager and administrative assistant who are employees of the organisation. Financial management best practice is supported by Slate Accounts in Melbourne, while our annual audit has been performed by Saward Dawson since the 2010/11 financial year. The national office for Yoga Australia is located at Suite 208, 566 St Kilda Road, Melbourne, VIC

9 Membership & High Professional Standards Yoga Australia is recognised globally for having one of the highest training requirements for teacher registration membership. Three levels of yoga teacher registration are available, depending on the number of hours of approved training: Level 1 registration requires a minimum of 350 hours of training. Level 2 registration requires a minimum of 500 training hours and 5 years of teaching Level 3 or Senior Registration is available to those with 1,000 hours of training and more than 10 years of teaching. In order to ensure that Yoga Australia teachers meet the professional standards expected by the Private Health Insurance sector, the training covers: Yogic physiological systems Yoga philosophy, ethics and lifestyle Commonly used yoga techniques, including: - Postural exercises - Breathing - Relaxation and meditation Teaching methodologies Practicum At June 2013, Yoga Australia membership was 2,172. These members collectively, through regular yoga classes, influence the health and well- being decisions of over 110,000 individuals each week , Current membership statistics confirm that The majority of members are between 36 to 50 years old Nearly one- third (31 per cent) of members have been teaching for more than five years All Yoga Australia registered teachers are required to undertake 12 hours CPD per year, and maintain a current first aid qualification (HLTFA301B). Annual renewal of membership and registration as a yoga teacher is contingent on their evidence of satisfactory CPD and first aid currency. Yoga Australia has a program of annual random audits of CPD and first aid and CPR currency to ensure compliance. All members agree to conduct themselves in accord with the Yoga Australia Code of Professional Conduct, Statement of Ethics and Rules of Association pertaining to best practice. To support these measures of quality assurance, Yoga Australia, in its Grievance Policy, aims to address grievances brought to its attention as an essential part of maintaining both its own professional integrity and the professional integrity of the yoga- teaching profession. It provides processes that are based on the values of professional behavior, respect, confidentiality, goodwill and equality.

10 Yoga Australia and PHI Accreditation Rules 2008 In adopting standards for best practice yoga teaching and best practice management, Yoga Australia satisfies the requirements of a professional organization for the purposes of Section 10 of the above rules which relate to Treatments provided by other health care providers. Yoga Australia: (a) Is a national entity which has membership requirements for the profession; and (b) Provides assessment of the health care provider in terms of the appropriate level of training and education required to practise in that profession; and (c) Administers a continuing professional development scheme in which the health care provider is required, as a condition of membership, to participate; and (d) Maintains a code of conduct which the health care provider must uphold in order to continue to be a member; and (e) Maintains a formal disciplinary procedure, which includes a process to suspend or expel members, and an appropriate complaints resolution procedure. The association welcomes inspection of its records and practices by any of the health insurance organisations registered with the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing.

11 Yoga for Health - Research Studies have shown that yoga may be as effective as, or better than exercise when it comes to improving a variety of health related outcome measures. Published research confirms that yoga keeps healthy people well and supports those who are not well in their day- to- day life, recovery and healing. In 2011, Yoga Australia sought to review the available literature on studies that examine the effects of yoga. The method of data collection was to initially speak to experts in the field. The following experts were contacted: Sat Bir Sing Khalsa PhD - Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Associate Neuroscientist, Division of Sleep Medicine, Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women s Hospital, convener of the annual Symposium on Yoga Research. Dr Shirley Telles MBBS PhD - Director of Research at Patanjali Yogpeeth, Haridwar, India. Head, Indian Council of Medical Research for Advanced Research in Yoga and Neurophysiology, a federal research center of excellence. Michael de Manincor BA (Hons) Grad Dip Ed, M Psych, PhD candidate; Founder & Executive Director, The Yoga Foundation; Director & Senior Lecturer, Yoga Institute, a leading yoga teacher training centre; a registered counseling psychologist; immediate Past President Yoga Australia. Detailed information about additional scientific research into the health benefits of yoga are on the Yoga Australia website Research to date has examined the effects of yoga on specific conditions and life- stages including; Ageing Anxiety ADHD (attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder) Addiction Asthma Back pain Cardiovascular disease and fitness Carpal tunnel syndrome Childhood development Diabetes Depression (including post- natal depression) Menopausal symptoms Multiple sclerosis Obsessive compulsive disorder Occupational health Osteoarthritis Seizure disorders Strength and flexibility

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13 Best practice yoga teachers from all styles and traditions

14 Yoga Australia Inc. Yoga Australia inc Suite 208, 566 St Kilda Rd Melbourne, VIC ARBN ABN Registered in Victoria A enquiries@yogaaustralia.org.au