Rediscovering the Accessibility + Adaptability of Yoga: A Return to Its Roots
In today’s fast-paced world, modern Yoga classes often place a heavy emphasis on movement and poses (Asanas), sometimes at the expense of breath work and the deeper aspects of the practice. The trend towards flowing sequences, where the breath is reduced to a simple ‘inhale’ and ‘exhale,’ often leaves little room for true exploration of the breath (Pranayama) or for adequate restoration, with Savasana often rushed. While these classes can offer benefits, a crucial question arises: where has the true adaptability and accessibility of Yoga gone?
Yoga offers a wealth of benefits, including stress and anxiety reduction, improved mindfulness, better posture, joint alignment, increased strength, and enhanced flexibility. But are these benefits fully realised if we neglect to address the way we breathe or fail to tailor the practice to meet the individual needs and unique body type (postural effects in common asana) of each practitioner?
Explore the details of Yogalates Academy online Adaptive Therapeutic Yoga course for teachers + therapists ~ 10% off in September use SEPT10 at checkout to save $150!
The Importance of Breath and Individualised Practice
Breath work is central to Yoga, far more than just an accompaniment to movement. Conscious breathing, or Pranayama, is essential in influencing the nervous system, shifting from stress responses to a state of balance. However, if we bring our daily stress-breathing patterns into our Yoga practice without making necessary adjustments, are we truly gaining the full benefits of Yoga?
Additionally, many modern Yoga classes involve holding poses only briefly, which can undermine the development of strength, stability, and proper joint alignment. Without the inclusion of props (to support efficient personal alignment), modifications, or alternatives, how can we cater to the diverse abilities and body types that students bring into the studio? Yoga can be accessible to everyone, regardless of fitness level, flexibility, or the presence of injuries. Unfortunately, many people leave classes feeling inadequate or, even worse, injured due to a lack of appropriate modifications and individual attention.
The Traditional Roots of Yoga: A Practice for Every Body
Traditionally, Yoga is a practice that explores the body through breath in Asana, eventually leading to stillness and comfort in the mind. The goal is to find ease in the body so we can connect deeply with our minds, free from distractions. By exploring the breath and learning to manage the flow of energy (Prana) throughout the body, we create an ideal environment for physical, mental, and emotional healing.
This is where the real benefits of Yoga are realised, and they are not reserved for the ‘fit,’ ‘agile,’ or ‘flexible.’ The Yogalates lineage follows the teachings of Krishnamacharya, placing emphasis on a practice tailored to the individual’s needs. This approach is almost prescriptive, involving the application of adjustments, props, and layers to each Asana so that students can explore their unique bodies and find ease, even in challenging poses.
Yogalates: Bridging Tradition with Modern Needs
At the Yogalates Academy, we are dedicated to bringing back the adaptability and accessibility of Yoga. Our 350-hour Teacher-Training course, which is equivalent to a comprehensive 500-hour program, covers everything from Anatomy and Physiology to understanding Body Types, common conditions, and injuries. We also delve into the use of props and modifications to make Yoga accessible for everyone.
Introducing Our Adaptive Therapeutic Yoga Course
To make these teachings more accessible, we’ve developed the Adaptive Therapeutic Yoga course (Parts 1 & 2), now available as a stand-alone, online program. This course is split into two parts, each offering 30 hours of in-depth training. It is perfect for Yoga teachers, Pilates instructors, and Physiotherapists, or anyone who works with the general public and encounters individuals requiring adaptations.
What You’ll Learn:
Understanding Body Types: How to read and support various Body Types, understanding why certain pose groups are of benefit or need to be modified or avoided.
Posture and Alignment: Explore common postural misalignments and how they apply to foundational pose groups.
Modifications and Props: Learn how to use props and offer pose modifications to accommodate varied abilities, conditions and injuries supporting the individual to find their personal footprint on the mat.
Common Conditions and Injuries: Gain insights into conditions such as lower back issues, SI Joint dysfunction, knee and hip problems, shoulder girdle conditions, anxiety, arthritis and high blood pressure. You’ll learn what is beneficial for these conditions and how to create a personalised practice program.
Breath work and Restorative Yoga: Understand how Pranayama and restorative practices can influence overall well-being.
Ayurveda: Explore this sister science of Yoga and how it can guide individuals towards receiving the benefits they seek.
This course is registered with Yoga Australia and qualifies for CPD points, ensuring that you’re not only expanding your knowledge but also meeting professional development requirements.
Join Us in Making Yoga Accessible for All
By equipping yourself with these skills, you’ll be able to confidently guide any BODY through a practice that is accessible and inclusive. Whether you are leading general classes, specialised group sessions, or offering private programmes, this course ensures that everyone can experience the full range of Yoga’s benefits.
Explore the details of Yogalates Academy online Adaptive Therapeutic Yoga course for teachers + therapists ~ 10% off in September use SEPT10 at checkout to save $150!
By Louise Solomon (founder of Yogalates) and Nic Dorsch
Explore these teachings with Nic in her online Yoga, Yogalates + Meditation studio ‘Breathe + Move with Nic’ ~ 340+ practices offering cues for correct breathing, alignment, modifications + props for unique body types, conditions + injuries, adaptations for the less fit, agile or flexible ….. where Yoga is made accessible to every BODY! Including several playlist series offering safe + rehabiliative practices for conditions such as Lower Backs, Sacro-Iliac Joint, Shoulders Neck + Wrists, Knees, Hips, Anxiety, Seniors ….and so much more!
FREE Sample a 20min Lower Back Quick Relief practice AND Loving My Lower Back Awareness …an informative on conditions and learning what yours might be, what to do + avoid with lower backs. Available until 26th Sept.
Explore more with a 3 DAY FREE TRIAL unlimited access to 340+ practices including Playlist Series ‘LOVING MY LOWER BACK’ with 28 videos designed to support you rehabilitating, maintaining and learning how to move intelligently understanding the needs of your lower back in Yoga, so you can practice safely at home.
In the informative video and 28 x practices in the Loving My Lower Back series you can learn how to relieve, rehabilitate, maintain your lower back. There are plenty of safe practices for you to do at home, you'll learn how to make Yoga accessible for you, knowing what to modify, alternatives you can do and what to avoid ~ not just in Yoga in any movement, exercise or day-to-day activities.
