Imagine seeking peace and self-improvement on a luxurious yoga retreat, only for it to trigger a life-altering emotional meltdown. That’s exactly what happened to Melissa Revell, a 35-year-old dance teacher, who has now won a significant court battle against the company that ran her Goa retreat.
Melissa paid £2,250 for a yoga teacher training course in 2019, expecting to hone her physical skills. Instead, she alleges the course included unadvertised “self-exploration exercises” that delved into childhood memories. One “somatic touch session” designed to foster forgiveness, she claims, painfully resurfaced traumatic memories of her adoption, causing a severe emotional breakdown.
Previously fit and active, Melissa spiraled into acute anxiety, complex PTSD, and a reclusive, dysfunctional life, unable to work or care for herself. She sued The Yoga People (TYP International Ltd), run by British guru Jamie Clarke and Mexican instructor Dulce Aguilar, seeking over £200,000 for her suffering.
Initially, the company denied any fault, insisting their course had no psychological element and that Melissa’s breakdown wasn’t their responsibility. However, in a dramatic turn, the company recently confirmed to London’s High Court that they had run out of funds and could no longer defend the claim.
As a result, the court has ruled in Melissa’s favor on the issue of liability. This means she is officially entitled to compensation, with the exact amount to be assessed in the next stage of the case. Melissa’s journey highlights the critical importance of transparency and careful consideration in wellness programs, especially those that venture into sensitive psychological territory.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-15312631/Dance-teacher-wins-200k-court-yoga-PTSD.html
