How to create truly inclusive Yoga and Pilates spaces – Part 2: Accessibility, Representation & Community

6th November 2024

In Part 1 of this blog series, we discussed how inclusive language can make a significant impact in creating welcoming wellness spaces. Language, however, is only one piece of the puzzle. True inclusivity also involves making spaces accessible, representative, and community-focused.

In this next part, we’ll look at practical ways to ensure classes are accessible to all, reflect diverse backgrounds and abilities, and foster a connected, supportive community. These elements can help create a safe and empowering environment where every student feels comfortable, valued, and able to grow.

Physical Accessibility

To ensure your class is accessible for students with varying abilities, consider these inclusive approaches:

Teach with variations first: Begin with a version of the exercise or pose that everyone in your class can access. Then, provide additional options, such as removing a prop or adding ‘layers’. This approach is both safe and inclusive, allowing everyone to participate comfortably.
Model modifications: If students hesitate to use props or make adjustments, model these choices yourself. When teachers use props, students feel more encouraged and comfortable doing so – beginners particularly will try to copy the teacher. By reducing your range of movement to meet students at their level, you demonstrate inclusivity in action.
Provide positive reinforcement: When students use modifications or props, offer positive feedback. This can empower others to follow suit, creating a supportive environment.
Focus on abilities, not limitations: Emphasise what students can do and encourage them to adopt a similar mindset.
Inclusive options over sitting out: There’s always an alternative option you can offer so that students can participate instead of asking them to “sit out” (a statement I witnessed in a class recently). Invite them to “rest” instead for a much more inclusive approach.
Address the group, not individuals: Refrain from singling out the same student repeatedly in a session. Instead, give generalised cues to the class (even if you are really directing your message to 1 or 2 students) to ensure all feel included without being spotlighted.
Celebrate diverse experiences: When class participants are all in different positions, it’s a sign they’re listening to their bodies and embracing their unique needs instead of comparing or striving. Encourage this self-acceptance as an essential part of their practice. This is a true example of effective and inclusive teaching.

Focus on Body Positivity

Promote a body-positive culture by celebrating all body types and emphasising the functional benefits of movement rather than appearance. Encourage students to listen to their bodies, practise self-compassion, and remember that yoga and Pilates are about personal growth and well-being rather than perfection.

Representation and Diversity

Representation is essential for creating a space where everyone feels seen and valued. We all come to the mat with our own conditioning, and as an instructor, reflecting on our own biases and setting an intention to create a class environment that welcomes diverse body types, ages, backgrounds and abilities is important. Here are some ways to reflect diversity in your classes:

Model inclusivity: Your attitude sets the tone. Show empathy, kindness, and respect, and actively work to recognise and address any biases, striving to be an ally for all students.
Incorporate diverse imagery: Use promotional materials that show a range of body types, ages, ethnicities, and abilities. Visual representation can signal that all are welcome.
Invite diverse voices: If you run a studio, consider inviting guest teachers from varied backgrounds and experiences to offer different perspectives.
Arrange spaces for connection: Set up the room to foster equality, such as placing mats in a circle rather than rows (space permitting), to enhance inclusivity and a sense of community.
Remove financial barriers: Offer grants or subsidies to those facing financial obstacles to make your classes more accessible.
Offer Reassurance: Greet all students warmly – a smile goes a long way. Take time to check in with students before or after class, especially newcomers who may feel apprehensive, to create a welcoming atmosphere.
Support and Refer: If you know someone in the local community who teaches for specific client groups, refer people to classes where they may feel most comfortable. You can also amplify their work by liking and sharing social media posts.

Building Community

Fostering community is a powerful way to make students feel they’re part of something meaningful and inclusive.

Foster connection: Provide opportunities for students to engage with one another, whether through circle discussions, social events, or community gatherings. When students feel a sense of belonging, inclusivity follows naturally.
Celebrate differences: Recognise the variety within your class es or workshops. Share experiences, struggles, or stories, and be open to hearing theirs. This vulerability can create a shared experience and builds bonds.
Encourage feedback for growth: Invite open feedback about how your class can be more inclusive – what worked well and what could be improved. This not only helps you grow as an instructor but also demonstrates that students’ experiences matter. Incorporate suggestions when possible to continually enhance inclusivity.

Ongoing learning

Inclusivity is an ongoing journey rather than a destination. It isn’t something that you can tick off a list and it’s done once and for all!

It starts with awareness and evolves with continued learning.

In our Yoga and Pilates teacher trainings, CPD courses, and workshops, inclusivity is at the core. Our curriculum includes language sensitivity, adaptive techniques, and trauma-informed practices, equipping instructors to teach in diverse settings confidently. Grants are available for our teacher training courses to make them more accessible and we support teachers who work with underrepresented communities. Our continuing professional development (CPD) courses allow graduates to specialise in certain areas such as older adults, common health conditions & back care, adapting movement for osteoporosis, meditation and mindfulness for wellbeing, and pre and post-natal care.

Find out more via the links below (all CPD courses, workshops and of course retreats are open to non-teachers who are interested in attending for self-development).

Article by: Clare Francis

Images: We used a number of royalty free stock images from pexels in this blog.

Back to Blog