After class a student came to apologize for being late but they really needed yoga after flying out of state and back for cancer treatments. I mentioned there were yoga for cancer classes, and their response was tentative. In no way was the person dismissive, they were in the medical field and they appreciated those classes. But the need to feel normal, a part of and outside of a medical setting made them feel better, even if they couldn’t participate fully in a regular class.
It reminded me of a study I helped facilitate years ago studying yoga for veterans. Freshly out of a yoga for veterans training, I taught the 4 week series of yoga classes. The training was very informative, specific on what I could and couldn’t teach, how to avoid triggering PTSD, accommodate injuries and create a safe respectful class. However, for this group of veterans, it wasn’t right for them. They needed to be more physically challenged, they didn’t like the gentleness of the practice. They didn’t want or feel the need to be accommodated beyond any injuries they might have.
As a yoga teacher, it’s in my nature to try and accommodate everyone and make yoga accessible to all. It’s why a lot of yoga classes have been tailored into specific offerings like cancer recovery, veterans, back pain, corporate environments, addictions, prenatal, etc. And for good reason, as there are specific practices needed for certain conditions and some practices to avoid completely. However, sometimes the individuals who fit those demographics for those classes need something different. I’ve seen people undergoing cancer treatment in my gym classes. I’ve had people missing body parts taking a regular class. While they might be able to get a class specific to their condition, needing to feel a part of is why they’re at the gym or studio.
For me, as a teacher, if I can recognize that there may be a reason why someone is there beyond whether they can fully participate in the class or not, I allow them the experience of being a part of. I have students that wear shoes during the practice. I have students that sit in the back and barely move and yet come every week. If I don’t worry if they’re doing every pose, if they’re late or not, then I get to practice union too. In this space, we are all together. We are all practicing yoga. And it’s the yoga that we need in that moment.
Jennie's Yoga To Go 