How to Create Inclusive Wellness Spaces
Creating inclusive wellness spaces is more than just a goal; it’s a responsibility for wellness professionals. Yoga and other healing practices have deep roots in diverse cultural traditions, yet these origins are often overlooked or misrepresented in Western contexts.
As professionals seeking certification in yoga and wellness, it is essential to honor the past, recognize present disparities, and actively work towards fostering environments where everyone feels safe and respected.
Acknowledging the History of Exclusion
Yoga, a practice with thousands of years of history in South Asia, has been commodified and reshaped into a global industry. This was thanks in part to prominent South Asian teachers spreading the teachings to Western students - and in some cases encouraging them to teach. While its growth in the West has made yoga accessible to many, this transnational movement has in some cases erased or denigrated the credit that should go to South Asian cultures. Sadly, it’s possible to find yoga students who are unaware that yoga derives from South Asia at all.
Historically, exclusionary policies, such as the 1924 U.S. Immigration Act, barred many Asian practitioners from sharing their traditions. Meanwhile, many Westerners adapted and commercialized yoga without proper acknowledgment of its origins.
Today, many wellness spaces still lack accurate representation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Publications and media often showcase able-bodied, white, and young individuals as the “face” of yoga, perpetuating stereotypes and alienating those who don’t fit this mold.
Recognizing this history is the first step toward creating more inclusive spaces.
Understanding the Importance of Representation
Representation matters. Seeing diverse bodies, identities, and cultural practices in wellness spaces not only validates individual experiences but also broadens the accessibility of these practices.
For example, featuring teachers and practitioners from underrepresented groups can challenge biases and create a welcoming environment for all.
Inclusivity also involves recognizing intersectionality—the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, gender, and ability. Understanding how these identities overlap helps create spaces that address the unique challenges faced by marginalized communities. As we “unlearn” the mistakes made by our predecessors, we can work clean up our shared spaces. The suggestions below can be a start of action and inquiry for the yoga professional.
Practical Steps for Creating Inclusive Spaces
1. Honor the Cultural Roots
Respect the origins of practices: Use traditional names for yoga poses and learn correct Sanskrit pronunciation. Avoid renaming poses or practices for marketing purposes. Should you be teaching in a trauma-sensitive manner that involves teaching solely in the student’s native language, still choose one concept you can share in Sanskrit each session or class.
Acknowledge the source: Mention the cultural origins of practices during sessions to educate participants and honor the traditions.
2. Foster Safe and Welcoming Environments
Go beyond tolerance: Strive to create safe spaces where participants feel welcomed and free from judgment or discrimination.
Request consent: Always ask before providing physical adjustments during yoga sessions. Trauma-informed practices are essential for respecting participants’ boundaries.
Use inclusive language: Ensure that your instructions and communication do not alienate or exclude anyone based on their identity or abilities.
3. Address Accessibility
Financial accessibility: Offer sliding scale fees, scholarships, or discounts for marginalized communities. However, remember that BIPOC is not synonymous with poverty; provide options without making assumptions.
Physical accessibility: Ensure your spaces are accessible to individuals with disabilities by providing adaptive equipment and accommodations.
4. Challenge Bias and Prejudice
Reflect on personal biases: Examine and address unconscious biases that may influence your behavior or decision-making. Notice how these biases manifest in interactions with different groups.
Call out harmful behavior: Lovingly and firmly address instances of racism, sexism, ableism, and other prejudices within your community. Encourage open dialogue and mutual learning.
5. Promote Reciprocity
Support marginalized communities: Partner with organizations, host fundraisers, or donate resources to communities from which wellness practices originate. This creates a cycle of mutual benefit and respect.
Amplify diverse voices: Use your platform to highlight the contributions and concerns of underrepresented groups in wellness spaces.
Moving Towards a Collective Healing Space
The practice of yoga is deeply rooted in Ahimsa (non-violence), which calls us to actively reject harm in all forms. Inclusivity aligns with this principle by addressing systemic inequalities and fostering environments where all individuals can heal and thrive. As yoga professionals, embracing social justice as part of our practice is not optional but necessary.
Creating inclusive wellness spaces requires ongoing effort, reflection, and learning. By honoring the cultural roots, fostering accessibility, and challenging biases, we can ensure that wellness truly becomes a space for everyone.
Ready to deepen your understanding and practice of yoga therapeutics?
Visit our main page to explore our offerings. For professionals eager to make a meaningful impact, don’t miss our annual PYI Yoga Therapeutics Essentials course. Together, let’s build a more inclusive and compassionate wellness community.
The “Why’s” of Restorative Yoga: A Path to Balance
In the fast-paced world we live in, stress is often seen as the enemy. But as yoga practitioners, we understand that stress itself isn’t inherently bad—it’s chronic stress that becomes problematic. This is where restorative yoga steps in.
For yoga professionals seeking certification in restorative practices, understanding the “why” behind this method is essential for effectively guiding students toward healing, balance, and personal growth.
Why Restorative Yoga?
#1 - Encouraging the Body’s Natural Healing Response
Restorative yoga is designed to activate the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), commonly known as the "rest, digest, and heal" response. When we exhale, our body shifts into this restorative state, allowing essential systems such as immunity, digestion, and reproduction to return to homeostasis.
Chronic stress, marked by elevated cortisol levels, disrupts this balance and is a precursor to many chronic diseases, including heart disease. Restorative yoga helps recalibrate the nervous system, enhancing heart rate variability—a key marker of health.
By incorporating supported, neutral postures, restorative yoga creates an environment where the skeletal and muscular systems can fully release. This not only alleviates physical tension but also allows the mind and spirit to rest, promoting overall well-being.
#2 - Personalization: Meeting the Needs of Diverse Students
One of the most significant aspects of restorative yoga is its adaptability. Unlike fast-paced yoga styles, restorative practices prioritize the individual’s unique anatomical and emotional needs.
For example, students with a deeper lumbar curve may find it challenging to relax in traditional Shavasana. In such cases, providing adequate support under the lower back can make the posture more accessible and therapeutic.
As instructors, it’s crucial to observe students closely, listening with both the eyes and the heart. This includes recognizing variations in spinal curves, such as the lumbar and cervical regions, and offering adjustments that honor these natural differences.
When we support the body appropriately, we create space for the muscles to relax, which in turn allows the spirit to find rest and ease.
#3 - Creating Trauma-Informed, Inclusive Spaces
Restorative yoga is particularly effective for students dealing with trauma, anxiety, or chronic illness. The practice emphasizes safety, consent, and comfort, which are essential for fostering a trauma-informed environment.
For some students, lying on their backs in an asana may evoke feelings of vulnerability or anxiety. By offering alternatives, such as a supported seated position or the use of equipment (often referred to as props), instructors can create a space where every student feels safe and supported.
Moreover, restorative yoga integrates principles from Ayurveda, tailoring classes to the seasons and the specific needs of the group. Observing the “prana,” or energy levels, within a class—whether they indicate low energy (linked to depression) or high energy (linked to anxiety)—allows instructors to adjust the practice dynamically, bringing students back to a balanced state.
#4 - Axial Extension: The Subtle Art of Alignment
One of the most overlooked yet impactful movements in restorative yoga is axial extension—a lengthening of the spine along its natural axis. This movement counteracts modern issues like “tech neck,” caused by prolonged device usage, which disrupts the cervical spine's natural curve. Through gentle axial extension, students can restore proper alignment, alleviate tension, and enhance the overall function of the musculoskeletal system.
Instructors should encourage students to begin and end their restorative sequences in a supported neutral spine position. This alignment not only promotes physical balance but also facilitates the down-regulation of the nervous system, guiding students into a state of deep relaxation.
#5 - Building Community and Lifelong Learning
Beyond the physical and physiological benefits, restorative yoga fosters a sense of community and lifelong learning. In our certification courses, we emphasize the importance of creating a supportive learning environment where instructors can grow together, share insights, and continuously refine their teaching skills.
By engaging in this collective inquiry, yoga professionals develop the confidence to adapt their teaching to various populations, including beginners, the elderly, and those managing chronic conditions. This adaptability is the essence of person-based yoga, or Asana Chikitsa—yoga as medicine.
Conclusion
Restorative yoga is more than a practice—it is a pathway to healing, balance, and connection. As professionals seeking certification, you have the opportunity to harness the power of this gentle yet profound practice to transform lives. By understanding the “why” behind restorative yoga, you can guide your students toward a state of rest, rejuvenation, and ultimately, a deeper union of body, mind, and spirit.
Remember, all healing begins in rest. As you embark on this journey, may you continue to explore, adapt, and grow, both as a practitioner and as a teacher.
Interested in getting certified as a yoga practitioner? Enroll in our certification programs. You can also enroll in our annual PYI Yoga Therapeutics Essentials course!
How to Choose a Yoga Therapy Program: 6 Key Qualities to Look For
With the rising demand for yoga therapy as a complementary approach to health and wellness, many professionals are seeking certification programs to enhance their expertise.
Whether you're a healthcare practitioner, yoga instructor, or wellness coach, finding the right yoga therapy program can significantly impact your practice and your clients' outcomes.
Aside from being IAYT-certified, here’s how to choose a yoga therapy program that aligns with your professional goals, focusing on five essential qualities:
#1 - Evidence-Informed Approach
A reputable yoga therapy program should be grounded in science while honoring traditional practices. Look for a program that presents:
The physiological basis of yoga and mindfulness techniques
Cutting-edge research supporting yoga as a preventative and complementary approach to allopathic care
At Prema Yoga Institute (PYI), our faculty combines the wisdom of ancient practices with modern science. You’ll learn not only how yoga impacts the body and mind but also how to leverage evidence-based methods to support your clients effectively.
#2 - Holistic Perspective
Yoga therapy is more than physical poses—it’s about supporting the whole person. A quality program should teach you how to design wellness plans that address:
Physical health
Mental well-being
Emotional and spiritual growth
At PYI, we emphasize person-centered care. Our graduates are skilled in helping clients shift their mindsets, release attachments to pain, and reconnect with a sense of wholeness. Through integrative practices and lifestyle adjustments, PYI therapists guide clients toward living more fulfilling, healthier lives.
#3 - Rooted in Tradition
A strong yoga therapy program honors the ancient roots of yoga while applying them in a modern context. PYI embraces traditional practices, including:
Yoga Chikitsa ("yoga medicine") rooted in Ayurveda
Incorporating yoga myths, deities, and chants to honor the lineage of therapeutic yoga
This balance of ancient wisdom and contemporary practice ensures that you’re not just learning techniques—you’re also embracing the rich cultural and spiritual heritage of yoga therapy.
#4 - Integrative Learning Environment
Collaboration is a cornerstone of effective yoga therapy. A program that brings together diverse perspectives will enhance your learning experience. PYI fosters an integrative approach through:
"Circle learning" where students, yoga teachers, therapists, and healthcare professionals collaborate and share knowledge
Faculty with expertise in both Western and Eastern medicine, creating a dynamic learning environment
This interdisciplinary approach prepares you to work alongside healthcare professionals and empowers you to address a wide range of client needs.
#5 - Comprehensive Training
A well-rounded yoga therapy program should prepare you to support clients with various health challenges and collaborate with their healthcare teams. Key elements to look for include:
Training in clinical tools like SOAP notes for thorough client assessments and referrals when needed
Guidance on managing a comprehensive list of imbalances and illnesses, from chronic pain to mental health conditions
At PYI, our two-year Yoga Therapy Certification equips graduates with the skills and confidence to empower clients on their wellness journey.
#6 Does the Program Feature Experts?
It’s crucial to choose a program led by experienced professionals. Programs that do not include medical faculty and experienced yoga therapists may not best prepare you for working in clinical settings. On the other hand, programs with psychologists, doctors and more can provide context and support to pursue positions in medical settings.
At PYI, our faculty includes doctors, experienced yoga therapists, and wellness experts who bring decades of practical knowledge to the classroom. This ensures you’re learning from the best in the field.
Conclusion
Choosing the right yoga therapy program is a critical step in expanding your professional expertise and offering transformative care to your clients.
Enroll in our Yoga Therapy Program now to get certified, or book a Discovery Call to discuss if the program is right for you!