Body-Positive Yoga Cues You Can Use for Common Poses

Yoga is a spiritual and mental practice that encourages holistic wellness. However, some students focus more on getting into the perfect pose rather than connecting with their bodies. This mindset can discourage practitioners or make them believe their body type isn't practical for yoga.

The body-positive yoga movement emphasizes that yoga is for everyone, regardless of physique. As a yoga teacher, you can bring this narrative into your classes using body-positive yoga cues. This approach makes yoga nurturing and holistic and encourages self-acceptance and support.

Inclusive Yoga Cues for Common Poses

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• Body-positive yoga cues prioritize comfort and alignment over achieving a "perfect pose," making yoga accessible to all body types.
• These cues encourage modifications, fostering inclusivity, self-acceptance, and support within yoga practices.
• Examples include adapting poses like Downward Dog, Warrior I, and Child’s Pose with props or adjusted stances for individual needs.
• Body-positive yoga promotes a welcoming, non-intimidating environment for practitioners of all abilities.
  beYogi supports yoga instructors with affordable liability insurance to help create inclusive and accessible yoga spaces.

What Are Body-Positive Yoga Cues?

Yoga cues are the instructions a teacher gives their students to move into a pose. A body-positive yoga cue focuses on comfort and alignment to include all body types over promoting unrealistic ideals. Instead of focusing on getting into the perfect pose, these cues encourage practitioners to modify the pose as needed.

5 Examples of Yoga Cues That Emphasize Body Positivity

The following are examples of yoga cues you can use with common poses.

1. Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana)

Traditional cues for downward dog emphasize getting the body into an A-shape, with high hips and straight legs. A body-positive cue for downward dog focuses on alignment and comfort.

• Cue example: “Focus on elongating your spine and finding comfort in the pose, whether that means bending your knees or lifting your heels.” 
• Modifications: Use blocks or rest the forearms on a chair.

2. Warrior I (Virabhadrasana I)

The Warrior I pose requires students to bend one knee to a 90-degree angle to keep the ankle and knee stacked and the hips squared. A body-positive approach tells practitioners that feeling grounded is more important than having a deep lunge.

• Cue example: “Feel grounded through your feet and strong in your legs, go as deeply into a lunge as is comfortable..”
• Modifications: Shorten the stance or use a wall for support.

3. Child’s Pose (Balasana)

The traditional child's pose — hips back toward the heels, extended arms and head resting on the mat — can be uncomfortable for some yoga students. A body-positive cue for child's pose instructs practitioners to give their torso more room if needed and focus on relaxation and connection over perfection.

• Cue example: “Let your body rest in a way that feels best for you. Use props like cushions or widen your knees as needed.”
• Modifications: Place a bolster under the torso for support.

4. Tree Pose (Vrksasana)

The traditional tree pose requires balancing on one foot, pressing the other foot against the inner thigh and pressing the hands together. This pose tests the student's balance, so using a body-positive cue encourages them to find it wherever they can.

• Cue example: “Find balance in your own way, whether your foot is on your ankle, calf or thigh.”
• Modifications: Use a wall for stability.

5. Seated Forward Fold (Paschimottanasana)

For some students, a traditional seated forward fold can feel uncomfortable on the stomach or be hard to achieve with straight legs. A body-positive cue invites modifications that create openness.

• Cue example: “Reach forward with softness and intention, not to touch your toes but to feel a stretch that works for you.”
• Modifications: Use a strap or bend the knees.

Choose beYogi for Yoga Teacher Insurance

Body-positive yoga cues foster a sense of belonging, reduce intimidation and help practitioners feel more confident in their abilities. For the greater yoga community, this approach makes yoga spaces welcoming, accessible and inclusive for everyone.

beYogi helps you bring the practice of yoga to your community through affordable and comprehensive yoga liability insurance. Our policies for U.S.-based instructors cover over 500 modalities, with coverage starting immediately for a low annual fee. Purchase an insurance policy or contact beYogi to learn more.