Yoga Resources for Every Body 

Yoga
Written By Catharine Hannay

published November 3, 2024

Photo by Katrin Bolovtsova at Pexels


by

Catharine Hannay, founder of MindfulTeachers.org 

and

Natalie Moussaid, Yoga Teacher and Certified Health and Wellness Coach




Despite the extravagant and seemingly impossible yoga poses that we may see on social media, yoga is perhaps one of the most versatile forms of physical activity. From toddler to senior, beginner to advanced, mobile to less mobile, there is a pose for every body.

Rather than imitating what you see someone else’s body doing, you may need to make modifications to suit your own body.

We’ve both done this ourselves: 

Because of chronic pain, Catharine uses a yoga block or a chair to take pressure off of her feet and shoulders. 

And Natalie, who began her yoga teacher training after a severe vasovagal syncope attack, discovered ways to modify poses to prevent fainting. 

Resources written by practitioners who have experienced similar conditions may be the most helpful for your journey. This is because they have first-hand experience that can be applied to assist others at a deeper level. 

Everyone’s needs are going to be different, which means that everyone’s yoga style will be unique.  So, when you’re looking for resources on “adaptive yoga” or “chair yoga,” it's important to consider your own personal needs.

Here are several suggested products and videos that can help you (or your students) adapt yoga to suit your individual needs. 



Useful Equipment

Links are provided for the sole purpose of helping yoga teachers and practitioners find useful resources. MindfulTeachers.org does not benefit financially from purchases made through links from this site. Please contact these organizations directly for more information about their products.

  • Challenged Athletes Foundation explains how different types of mats and equipment can help make yoga poses more comfortable and accessible.

  • Rousettus sells yoga mats “designed to enable those who are blind, partially blind or who may face physical challenges due to age or disability to practice yoga safely and confidently. […] with raised and depressed features called ‘'stations' strategically placed to help the challenged yoga student feel where their hands, feet and head should be placed for all 24 basic yoga postures.” (There are also 2 instructional DVDs that can be used with the mats. Video clips with 6 of the poses are available at rousettus.com/videos/) 

  • Deaf yoga instructor and yoga therapist Karli Dettman produced a DVD in Auslan with English subtitles


Recommended Videos

  • Dan Nevins, a yoga instructor who is a double-amputee, offers 45-Minute “Yoga for Every Body”practice with tips for making whatever adaptations your own body needs. 

  • Dr. Arielle Schwartz, Licensed Clinical Psychologist and yoga teacher, discusses the vagus nerve and yoga poses that can help to tone it in her class Vagus Nerve Yoga: Effortless Flow

  • Molly Schneider of Adaptive Yoga with Molly teamed up for a “Yoga in My Wheelchair” class with fellow wheelchair user Joci Scott. (You might also be interested in a factsheet on Wheelchair Yoga which includes illustrations and instructions for 6 poses using the upper body and 2 poses that stretch the legs.)



Conclusion


No two bodies are exactly the same, so it’s important to learn as much as possible about your own strengths and limitations (or those of your students) when engaging in yoga practice. We hope this selection of resources helps you find the appropriate adaptations for your developing yoga practice.

 

About the Authors

Catharine Hannay, a mindfulness and yoga practitioner, is the founder of MindfulTeachers.org and the author of Being You: A Girl’s Guide to Mindfulness, a workbook for teen girls on mindfulness, compassion, and self-acceptance.

Natalie Moussaid is a Yoga Teacher and Certified Health and Wellness Coach. She specializes in emotional healing, spiritual connection, nature connection, and mind-body movement. Natalie is a frequent contributor to Mindful Teachers.

Catharine Hannay
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