Global Signposting Principles for Yoga Teachers

When to use this guide? 

Use this guide whenever you encounter a situation in your teaching that feels outside your expertise, training, or professional role. It is especially relevant when a student discloses a concern, seeks advice beyond yoga, or appears to need specialist support.

Its purpose is to support clear thinking, professional boundaries, and appropriate referral when concerns arise.

What “signposting” means

Signposting is the process of directing someone towards appropriate external support rather than attempting to manage, resolve, or investigate a situation yourself.In a yoga teaching context, this may include directing a student towards:

• Medical professionals
• Mental health services
• Emergency services
• Safeguarding or protection agencies
• Specialist support organisations

Signposting is not about giving advice or solving problems. It is about recognising when someone may benefit from support that sits outside your role.

The core principle: stay within your scope

Across all countries and teaching environments, the same principle applies:

Yoga teachers are not safeguarding professionals, counsellors, medical practitioners, or investigators.

Your role is to:

• Teach within your training and competence
• Maintain appropriate professional boundaries
• Respond calmly and appropriately if concerns arise
• Avoid stepping into roles that require specialist expertise
• Direct individuals to relevant external support when needed

When to use signposting

Signposting may be appropriate when:

• A student shares concerns that are outside your expertise
• You become aware of a situation involving potential risk or vulnerability
• Someone requests advice that requires medical or psychological training
• You feel uncertain about how to respond within your role
• A situation feels beyond the scope of a yoga teaching context

You are not expected to confirm whether a situation is “serious enough” before signposting. If in doubt, it is appropriate to direct towards external support.

How to approach signposting professionally

When signposting, keep communication:

Neutral Avoid directing, diagnosing, or interpreting the situation.

Calm Maintain a steady, non-alarmist tone.

Factual Stick to what is appropriate in your role.

Respectful Avoid judgement or assumptions about the individual’s situation.

The aim is to provide awareness of support options, not to manage outcomes.

Important boundaries when signposting

When using signposting resources, avoid:

• Investigating what someone has said
• Asking probing or leading questions
• Attempting to assess risk level
• Diagnosing mental or physical health conditions
• Promising confidentiality where safety may be a concern
• Taking responsibility for outcomes

Signposting does not replace professional judgement, it helps you stay within it.

Confidentiality and trust

Confidentiality is an important part of yoga teaching, but it is not absolute.

If a concern arises:

• Do not promise secrecy
• Be transparent that you may need to seek guidance or encourage external support
• Share information only where appropriate and on a need-to-know basis

Trust is maintained not by keeping everything private, but by acting responsibly within your role.

Different countries, same principles

Safeguarding systems vary significantly across countries.Some countries have centralised agencies, while others rely on regional or local services. Because of this, YogaPros provides country-specific signposting directories.

However, the professional principles remain the same everywhere:

• You are not expected to investigate concerns
• You are not responsible for managing safeguarding cases
• Your role is to recognise, respond appropriately, and refer on when needed
• You should always stay within your scope of practice

Using country-specific directories

When using a signposting directory (UK, Ireland, USA, or other regions):

1. Identify the nature of the concern in general terms
2. Stay within your role as a yoga teacher
3. Use the directory to identify appropriate external support
4. Encourage or suggest access to that support where appropriate
5. Do not attempt to interpret outcomes or follow up as a case manager

These directories are tools for awareness, not systems of responsibility.

In situations of uncertainty

Safeguarding situations are rarely straightforward.If you are unsure how to respond:

• Stay calm and avoid immediate action based on assumption
• Return to your role and scope of practice
• Focus on facts rather than interpretation
• Choose the least intrusive appropriate response
• Prioritise safety and professional boundaries
• Seek appropriate external guidance where needed

Uncertainty is normal. The aim is not certainty, it is appropriate professional response.

Action Steps

Signposting is a supportive professional skill, not a safeguarding authority function.Its purpose is to help ensure that individuals can access the right support, while yoga teachers remain safely within their role.

You are not responsible for resolving concerns.

You are responsible for:

• Teaching safely within your competence
• Maintaining professional boundaries
• Responding appropriately when concerns arise
• Directing individuals to suitable external support when needed

These resources are designed to help yoga and wellness professionals understand safeguarding, safety and professional practice considerations. YogaPros does not investigate complaints, provide safeguarding services or act as a regulatory body. If there is an immediate risk of harm, contact the appropriate emergency services or statutory authority.