
Dance teacher who claims she had to stop working after 'emotional meltdown' at yoga retreat sues organiser for £200k
YOGA ROW Dance teacher who claims she had to stop working after 'emotional meltdown' at yoga retreat sues organiser for £200k
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
A DANCE teacher who claims she had to stop working after an "emotional meltdown" at a yoga retreat is suing the organiser for £200,000.
Melissa Revell paid out £2,250 for a teacher training course in 2019 in Goa run by Brit yoga guru Jamie Clarke and Mexican instructor Dulce Aguilar.
Sign up for Scottish Sun
newsletter
Sign up
5
Melissa Revell is suing a yoga firm over an 'emotional breakdown'
Credit: Champion News Service
5
She claims the breakdown came after a session with instructor Dulce Aguilar
Credit: Champion News Service
She claims the intense self-exploration exercises brought on a breakdown which has left her unable to work or look after herself.
The dance teacher and personal trainer said her weight ballooned from a size 6 to a size 16 and is now suing The Yoga People International Ltd for £200,000 compensation.
Revell claims the course involved unadvertised psychological exercises, which led to her being "re-traumatised" when memories relating to her being adopted were triggered.
She said that as a result, she went from being fit, active and working to being "not able to care for herself".
Revell also claims she now leads "an extremely reclusive, impoverished and dysfunctional life" with "acute anxiety whenever she leaves the flat."
But lawyers for the yoga company insist Clarke, Aguilar and its other staff did nothing wrong.
They also deny there was any "psychological" element to the training and say the emotional collapse Revell claims to have suffered was not a foreseeable risk of a yoga course.
The High Court was told she paid for the 200-hour training course in September and October 2019, with the aim of becoming a qualified teacher of Ashtanga yoga.
But she ended up leaving India early after having a meltdown triggered by an exercise in exploring childhood memories, her barrister says.
He added: "On 24 September 2019, Ms Aguilar instructed the claimant and the other students on the course to participate in a somatic touch session led by her.
"Ms Aguilar explained that the purpose of the exercise was for the students to explore their childhood memories and their relationship with their parents so that they could forgive them for things they had done, heal and move forward.
"As part of the exercise, the students were instructed to pair up and sit in a circle with one person sitting in front of the other. They were told to take turns in their pairs to hold the other person.
"Whilst holding the other person, they were instructed to imagine that the other person was their parent and massage their shoulders, hold their hands and stroke their hair. Ms Aguilar said words such as 'I love you, you are my teacher, my carer, my nurturer and I forgive you'."
The barrister said following the session, Revell "started shaking and feeling ill" and was gripped with "overwhelming anxiety".
Revell reportedly spoke with Clarke about how she was feeling and was offered one-to-one therapy sessions back in the UK as he "could not spend all his time with one student".
Her lawyer said this "dismissive response" along with "coercive pressure to participate" in further "psychology focused exercises" caused Revell to "become very ill" and fly home.
She was subsequently diagnosed with "significant and severe complex PTSD and comorbid depersonalisation/derealisation disorder" and "functional neurological disorder", the court heard.
5
The retreat was run by British yoga guru Jamie Clarke
Credit: Champion News Service
5
Revell claimed she was left unable to work
Credit: Champion News Service
Her barrister said: "She remains significantly incapacitated by her injuries. Her long-term relationship with her partner failed as a result of her psychological illness.
"Now she lives alone and leads an extremely reclusive, impoverished and dysfunctional life.
"She does not go out much. She is not able to care for herself. She cannot cook or clean or do grocery shopping. Her home is untidy and dirty as a result. She struggles with self-care.
"She can go for days without changing her clothes or washing her hair. She doesn't eat properly. As she is unable to exercise, she has gained weight; she used to be a UK size 6-8 and now is a size 14-16."
Although she had a history of mental health problems going back to to her childhood, she had been in good mental and physical health between 2013 to 2014 and the yoga course, he added.
The court was also told there was no warning about "possible re-traumatisation".
But the company's lawyers argue there was no psychological or psychotherapy element to the course.
It also claims Revell attended a party where students danced and sang karaoke on a beach while in India, with staff unaware of her alleged symptoms.
The firm added: "There was no focus, or even reference, to considering traumatic events. The philosophy was of archetypes - fostering connection and love.
"The claimant completed the exercise without complaint or distress and at the end of the session approached Ms Aguilar and said that she had loved the exercise and was moved by it. She gave Ms Aguilar a hug."
The case is now set to return to court for a full hearing at a later date.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Scottish Sun
18 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
More than half of parents are concerned about their child's mental health over summer holidays
Childcare costs have skyrocketed in recent years - with holiday clubs now averaging £157 per week HEALTH WORRIES More than half of parents are concerned about their child's mental health over summer holidays Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) MORE than half of parents are concerned about their child's mental health over the summer holidays - and just as many fear for their own. A shocking new study of 2000 mums and dads found that 54 per cent were worried about their kids' well-being ahead of next week's break. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Over half of parents are worried about their kids' mental health in the summer, a new study has revealed Credit: Getty But it's not just their children that parents are worried about this summer - 51 per cent said they're also struggling to cope themselves. The survey, by charity Sport in Mind, revealed that rising childcare costs, lack of support, and the pressures of juggling work and parenting are pushing many to breaking point. Neil Harris, CEO of Sport in Mind, said: 'Parents told us their biggest concerns around mental health this summer stem from the pressure of juggling work and parenting, the lack of support or personal time, and growing financial strain. 'The ongoing cost of living crisis is hitting families hard, with rising childcare and activity costs making it even tougher to keep children active and mentally well during the holidays.' Childcare costs have rocketed in recent years, with holiday clubs now averaging £157 per week, per child. Other extra-curricular activities have also become just as expensive, with nearly a quarter of parents saying that financial barriers prevent their child from participating in sport over the summer holidays. These hefty price tags along with a lack of organised activities and preferences for screens or video games, leave kids vulnerable to mental health issues, the charity says. Sport in Mind is delivering free sessions via the Holiday Activities Programme, a government-funded scheme helping children stay active and engaged during school breaks as well as free Youth journals. A Sport in Mind youth participant said: 'Coming to Sport in Mind sessions gets me active and out of the house. 'At home, there's no one to play with, but here I can try new sports and activities. I also get to meet people from my school and make new friends.' Moment Spider-Man film crews perform tank stunt on streets of Glasgow It comes as Heidi Ellert-McDermott, 48, recently shared with The Sun how she suffers from reverse SAD during the summer months. Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a type of depression that affects one in 20 people in the UK. While traditionally associated with dark winters, 'reverse SAD' affects ten per cent of those with the condition. Clinical psychologist Dr Andrea Pickering, fellow of the British Psychological Society and clinical director at Clinical Partners, said: 'It is triggered by seasonal changes, most commonly during winter but sometimes in summer. 'Like other forms of depression, it's linked to chemical changes in the brain, particularly involving serotonin which regulates mood, and melatonin which controls sleep. 'In winter, less sunlight leads to lower serotonin levels and increased melatonin production. 'In summer, the brain can become overstimulated by too much sunlight or heat, which can disrupt sleep cycles and leave people feeling agitated, anxious and unbalanced. 'So while the triggers are seasonal, the brain's response is similar to depression, just with different timing.'


Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Scottish Sun
I lost three stone in just 10 weeks on Mounjaro, but suffered with an instant side effect that won't budge
Read on for more side effects of using weight loss jabs NO WEIGH I lost three stone in just 10 weeks on Mounjaro, but suffered with an instant side effect that won't budge Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A WOMAN has revealed that she has lost three stone in just ten weeks thanks to weight loss jabs. Kayleigh Akister, from Lancaster, took to social media to share her weight loss transformation. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Kayleigh Akister revealed her weigh tloss journey using Mounjaro Credit: Facebook 2 Despite being thrilled with her new weight, there was one side effect she couldn't budge Credit: Facebook She wrote: "After 10 weeks I have lost 3 stone." Taking to social media, she shared images of herself before her weight loss wearing a beige floor-length dress. She revealed that she initially weighed 14.5st and had gone down to 11.5st. But now, Kayleigh looked much smaller and happier as she wore a silky, figure-hugging dress that showed off her new body. While Kayleigh was thrilled by the weight loss, she had experienced one setback. She revealed that since being on the weight loss jab, her hair had become thin and was falling out. Kayleigh added: "But (I) started with hair loss, it feels so thin anyone else have this and what will help please?" Unfortunately, hair loss is listed as a common side effect of Mounjaro. This can be heightened with losing weight at a fast pace. Telogen effluvium is a form of alopecia that is temporary and caused by sudden changes in the body (like weight loss). I've lost nearly 6 stone in 9 months on fat jabs - trolls call me 'lazy' & say it's the 'easy way out' but I don't care It causes hair follicles to enter the resting phase and shedding phase of the hair growth cycle. Kayleigh's post was shared to the Facebook group, mounjaro ozempic wegovy weight loss support, and people were quick to share their tips on combatting hair loss on the drug. One person wrote: "Congrats on your success!! Hair loss is common with weight loss, especially a lot of weight loss in a short time. Make sure you're getting your protein, drinking water and taking a multivitamin." Another commented: "My hair is so bad. I don't know how I'm not bald already! I'm doing everything I can to stop the shed but nothing seems to be working!" "You look amazing. I believe losing weight too quickly will cause some hair loss," penned a third. Meanwhile, a fourth said: "I take collagen and biotin and it definitely helps me." "Try taking collagen supplements, they've really strengthened my hair and nails! My skin looks younger too. Been on them 2 months,' claimed a fifth Someone else added: "Bloody hell, well done. 16 weeks and a whopping 1 stone down."


Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Daily Mirror
Brit tourist, 38, who died after getting £1,500 hair transplant in Turkey is pictured
British man Martyn Latchman, 38, tragically died earlier this week after her travelled to Turkey for a hair transplant - his family has paid tribute to the teacher A British man who died after a getting a £1,500 hair transplant in Turkey has been named and pictured. Martyn Latchman, 38, tragically died earlier this week after he flew to Istanbul to have the cosmetic procedure at a private clinic called CINIK, Turkish news outlet OdaTV reported. The 38-year-old suffered complications after the hair transplant and was rushed to a nearby fully equipped university hospital for treatment. Despite ongoing intensive care treatment throughout the day, the patient sadly passed away later that evening. Martyn's body has since been flown back to the UK and his family and friends have paid emotional tributes to him. It comes after a Brit mum's 'horrendous' death after being scratched by a puppy with rabies on holiday. READ MORE: Young Brit woman dies as Turkey liposuction and tummy tuck go horrifically wrong Police investigating his death are reportedly considering possible 'reckless homicide' with staff at the clinic as well as the surgeon who performed the transplant all interviewed by police, alongside the firm's anaesthesiologist and nurses. The Turkish clinic has since said it undertook all the necessary medical evaluations and tests. According to the firm, the man had previously undergone a successful hair transplant there and had returned for a second procedure. The firm said he fell ill prior to this second procedure. CINIK say they are satisfied all correct steps were taken, like they have been for the 70,000 hair transplant procedures performed at its surgery. Martyn, had been an assistant headteacher at the Goldington Academy where he was also head of computer science, between 2016 and 2024. He then left this role to work as a network administrator with a private defence contractor in Northampton, according to the MailOnline. Family member Yashley Latchman posted a picture of the pair working out at a gym, on Facebook, with a heartbreaking tribute. Yashley said: "Rest in peace my brother. You will forever be my source of inspiration and motivation. Thanks for everything. We will miss you loads." Other family members turned their social media profiles black as a sign of mourning following the tragedy. The Foreign Office said: "We are supporting the family of a British man who died in Turkey and are in contact with the local authorities." The Turkish Healthcare Travel Council reports over one million people travel to Turkey annually for hair restoration treatments. Last year, data from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons showed that the number of people requiring hospital treatment in the UK after cosmetic surgery abroad rose by 94 per cent in three years. Complications included wound healing and even sepsis. Over three quarters of those procedures were carried out in Turkey, but other countries included the Czech Republic, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland and Romania. Brits head to these destinations mostly for the reduced prices, which can be up to 70 per cent cheaper than in the UK.