This week, something truly worth celebrating happened: Yoga has been reinstated as a therapy eligible for private health insurance benefits in Australia. 

After years of dedicated advocacy from organisations like Yoga Australia, and a comprehensive review led by Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd AO, the Federal Government has accepted the recommendations of the Natural Therapies Review. This review assessed new evidence on natural therapies previously excluded from private health cover in 2019. 

Among the therapies now reinstated are: Yoga, Pilates, Tai Chi, Alexander Technique, Naturopathy, Shiatsu, and Western Herbal Medicine. 

“This is the recognition we’ve been working toward,” said Josh Pryor, CEO of Yoga Australia. “It confirms what research—and our community—has always known: yoga changes lives.” 

As someone who works at Yoga Australia and has seen this process up close, I can honestly say: this is a huge moment for the yoga industry. Not just a policy win, but a shift in how yoga is recognised as a valid, evidence-informed modality for health and wellbeing. 

It’s also a moment to feel hopeful. Grateful. And proud to be part of a community that’s quietly, steadily doing the work to bring about positive change. 

What This Means for You (and Future Yoga Teachers) 

If you’ve been thinking about studying yoga or becoming a teacher, now is a powerful time to say yes. 

At Live to Serve Academy, we’re a registered training provider with Yoga Australia, IICT, and are currently undergoing registration with Yoga Alliance. That means our curriculum meets the highest standards of yoga education—with rigour, depth, and a focus on both traditional wisdom and modern relevance. 

For our graduates, this means: 

• You’re trained to meet nationally recognised standards 

• You earn the trust of employers, health professionals, and insurers 

• You’re positioned to serve your community with integrity and confidence 

A Better Time Than Ever to Be Involved 

This moment is about more than just health insurance. It signals a cultural shift—toward recognising the value of holistic, integrated care. 

To be part of this wave as a student, teacher, or wellness professional is a privilege. One that I don’t take lightly. To stand for yoga, to live it, share it, and support others through it - what an incredible time to be an ambassador for this life changing system. 

I’ll link to the full article from Yoga Australia below so you can read more about what this means in a broader context. 

Yoga Australia Announcement: https://yogaaustralia.org.au/yoga-is-back-on-the-table-private-health-insurance-coverage/ 

And if you’re feeling called to deepen your personal practice or step into the role of teacher, our yoga teacher training intake is now open: https://www.livetoserve.com.au/yoga-teacher-training 

What a buzz! My mood has been significantly elevated since the news broke. This means more people will have access to yoga. It’s a win for the whole community, and a step toward making yoga more accessible, respected, and integrated into everyday wellbeing. 

Well wishes, 

Sami xo