Yoga with Disabilities

During this kind of classes, I will be very much carefully focus on how to take the time to really listen to my students and learn what their goals are.
I will consider the purpose of each pose, taking time to reflect on our common true goal with each shape.

I let my students to take their time to best support them.
As many people with disabilities are expected to spend most of their lives adapting to the able-bodied world. Often includes having other people move their bodies for them. In my experience, many disabled students savour the opportunity to take a class that moves at their pace.

Sometimes that means me giving five minutes for a student to move themselves from their chair to the floor, or collaborating with them to find a prop set-up that will allow them to settle into a pose rather than being expected to skip past it.

We will move the joints starting at either the top or the bottom with neck releases, then shoulder circles, then moving the spine through its major movements (forward bending, back bending, side bending, and twists). Next would come elbow, wrist, and finger movements, then hip releases, followed by knee, ankle, and toe movements. We move slowly and mindfully through the class, and take time to make each shape work for each student.