What is accessible Yoga?
What is Accessible Yoga? Empowering Transformation for Students and Teachers
Today, we'll explore the many benefits of making yoga accessible. Join me as we discover how accessible yoga can enhance physical and mental well-being, improve inclusivity, and empower practitioners of all abilities.
Enhance Physical and Mental Well-being
Yoga offers a pathway to holistic well-being, nurturing both the body and mind. Through gentle and adaptable poses, students can develop strength, flexibility, balance, better posture, improved circulation, and enhanced overall physical and mental health.
We would be mistaken to think that yoga is just about the physical aspects. It should cultivate a deeper connection with the self through breathwork (Pranayama), meditation, and mindfulness practices. By honouring these elements of the ancient practice of yoga, students can experience reduced stress, improved mental clarity, and increased self-awareness. Accessible yoga becomes a powerful tool to promote overall wellness and inner harmony. However this can only be possible if we continue to work on making yoga in the West more accessible and inclusive. We must break down the barriers that have been built in the West which has made yoga seem like an elite exercise for the hyper-flexible, able-bodied, affluent white woman.
Improve Inclusivity and Accessibility
One of the remarkable aspects of authentic and accessible yoga is its inclusivity. It breaks down barriers, making yoga accessible to individuals of diverse abilities, ages, and body types. As a yoga instructor, embracing the true nature of yoga allows you to create a safe and welcoming space for everyone. However this cannot be done without recognising the areas that we can improve upon and constantly educating ourselves in how we can better serve our communities.
But, how can we do this? There are so many examples of excellent teachers and guides that are offering accessible and inclusive practices and you could learn a lot from people like Jivana Heyman, Anjali Rao and many, many others.
A lot of the work towards making yoga more accessible is to do with breaking through our own ego as a teacher and understanding that this is not a performative sport. It comes from spending time researching how all aspects of our communities are living, the problems that they are facing, the biases that we may hold and the assistance that individuals may need.
Empower Practitioners of All Abilities
Accessible yoga is about empowerment. It's about helping individuals discover their inner strength, resilience, and self-acceptance. As a yoga teacher, you have the incredible opportunity to empower your students through accessible yoga.
By educating yourself in what the community needs, providing modifications and personalized guidance, you can help students build confidence in their practice. Each small achievement becomes a stepping stone towards personal growth and transformation. Accessible yoga instils a sense of empowerment and helps students embrace their journey, no matter where they are starting from.
In conclusion, accessible yoga brings incredible benefits to both students and teachers. It enhances physical and mental well-being, promotes inclusivity, and empowers practitioners of all abilities.
We all deserve a yoga practice that has the power to improve our lives. Together, let’s work on making yoga more accessible for everyone.