Accessible & Inclusive Yoga: What It Means and Why It Matters

Yoga is meant to be for everybody, but many people still feel left out when they show up to class. Accessible and inclusive yoga helps close that gap. It reminds us that the real work is not forcing the body to fit the pose but adjusting the practice to fit the person. This way, every student feels welcome and safe, regardless of age, ability, or background.

In recent years, many yoga teachers have started to bring this way of teaching into their classes because they want to reach people who might never have felt yoga was for them. But what is accessible yoga exactly? And how can you, as a yoga teacher, design your classes, hold space for different bodies and abilities, and make sure your practice stays protected? This quick guide answers these questions and more.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Accessible yoga adapts the practice so people of all ages, abilities, body types, and backgrounds can participate safely and confidently—meeting students where they are.
• The Accessible Yoga movement, founded by Jivana Heyman, encourages teachers to use props, pose variations, inclusive language, and clear communication to remove physical and psychological barriers.
• Inclusive teaching isn’t just for visible disabilities—it also includes financial accessibility, cultural respect, and emotional safety to ensure every student feels seen and valued.
• Core strategies include offering pose options, using invitational language (e.g., “You might try…”), giving students time and choice, and normalizing rest or modifications without judgment.
• Creating welcoming spaces—both in-person and online—matters: check for physical accessibility, offer setup tips, and consider sliding-scale or donation-based classes to broaden access.
• Accessible yoga builds trust and belonging, encouraging students to return and explore their practice more deeply while helping teachers grow in confidence and compassion.
• Teachers are better prepared and protected when they understand how to make classes inclusive and back their work with reliable liability insurance to handle unexpected issues.
• beYogi offers Accessible Yoga Teacher Insurance, giving instructors peace of mind as they hold space for diverse student needs in a safe, respectful, and empowering environment.

What Is Accessible Yoga?

Accessible yoga means making yoga flexible enough so anyone can practice, no matter their physical ability, experience, or body type. The Accessible Yoga movement, founded by Jivana Heyman, shows how teachers can break down barriers with props, pose variations, and clear communication.

Many people think accessible yoga is only for students with visible disabilities, but it goes much further. It includes financial access, cultural respect, and psychological safety so every student feels seen and supported.

Core Principles of Inclusive Teaching

Teaching accessible and inclusive yoga really comes down to meeting students where they are. Sometimes this means adjusting poses, shifting the language you use, or changing the pace of your class. Props like blocks, straps, bolsters, or chairs can help make a pose work for a student’s unique needs instead of the other way around.

Here are a few simple ways teachers keep their classes inclusive:

• Offer clear pose options and variations. Phrases like “You might try this variation” show students they have choices.
• Use language that feels welcoming and neutral. For example, you could say “When you’re ready, step your foot forward” instead of “Step your right foot forward now.”
• Give students plenty of time and space to choose what works for them. A simple “If it feels right for your body” reminds them that they can listen to what they need.
• Encourage students to opt in or out without pressure, like reminding students they can stay in Child’s Pose instead of taking every vinyasa.

Inclusive teaching reminds students that they know their bodies best. When you give students choices and respect those choices, you help build trust and keep your classes truly accessible.

Why Accessible Yoga Matters for Teachers and Students

When students feel that yoga really is for them, they are more likely to come back, build trust with you, and stay curious about their practice. Accessible and inclusive yoga does more than help students physically; it helps people feel like they belong.

Teachers see the benefits, too. Knowing how to make your classes more open and safe builds confidence in your teaching and the community you create. It also lowers the chances of misunderstandings or injuries that can happen when students feel pushed into poses that do not suit their bodies.

Many teachers who stop to ask, “What is accessible yoga?” and take time to learn it find they’re better prepared for whatever comes up in class. It is one more reason to have reliable liability insurance in place so you can focus on your students and teach with peace of mind.

How to Make Classes More Accessible

Beyond pose choices and language, small practical steps can help make your classes even more welcoming. Look at how your space works for different students. Is it easy to enter and move around? Could someone using a wheelchair or a cane get to their mat without obstacles?

If you teach online, share tips for setting up a safe home practice. Remind students to clear enough space, use a sturdy chair if needed, and keep props within reach.

Think about community access, too. Sliding scale pricing or donation-based classes can help people who might not join otherwise. Simple changes like clear signs, a warm hello, and checking in with students before class can make all the difference.

Teach With Confidence and Care

Making yoga accessible and inclusive helps more students experience the true benefits of the practice. Teachers who understand what accessible yoga is and know how to design their classes often build stronger and safer communities.

Keep looking for ways to reach every student. Keep your teaching thoughtful, flexible, and protected. If you are ready to teach with confidence, see how liability insurance can support you every step of the way.

Ready to protect your practice? Get covered with beYogi’s Accessible Yoga Teacher Insurance today.