You Don’t Have to Be 100% to Come to Yoga Class.
Have you ever skipped yoga class because your knee was bothering you? Or because you tweaked your shoulder, your back felt a little cranky, or you were dealing with some other minor injury?
Sometimes students assume that if they can't do everything they normally do in class, they shouldn't come at all. But in many cases, that may be exactly when a thoughtful yoga practice can be most valuable.
Yoga doesn't have to be an all-or-nothing activity.
Tell Me What's Going On
If you're dealing with a minor injury or physical limitation, please let me know—preferably before class if you can.
Knowing ahead of time gives me an opportunity to think about what we are likely to be working on that day and how I might modify certain poses for you. We may use a prop, change your position, substitute another pose, reduce the range of movement, or have you skip a particular action altogether.
You may not be able to do everything the rest of the class is doing, and that's okay.
The goal isn't to force your body to conform to the class. The goal is to find a way for the practice to meet your body where it is that day.
Maintaining Your Practice Matters
When something hurts, our first instinct is sometimes to stop exercising completely until it goes away. Occasionally that's necessary—but not always.
A sore wrist doesn't necessarily mean you can't work your legs. A tender knee doesn't necessarily mean you can't work your shoulders, arms, or upper back. And a minor limitation in one area doesn't always mean the rest of your body needs to stop moving.
With appropriate modifications, you may still be able to maintain strength, mobility, balance, and the habit of practicing while giving the injured area the care it needs.
And sometimes simply continuing to come to class helps prevent a minor setback from turning into weeks—or months—away from your practice.
There Are Times When You Should Stay Home
Of course, there are important exceptions.
If you are sick and potentially contagious, please stay home. Rest, recover, and come back when you're feeling better and are no longer likely to spread your illness to others.
If you've recently had surgery, follow your doctor's instructions. Please don't return to yoga until your physician or other qualified healthcare provider has cleared you to do so. When you are cleared, let me know what restrictions you've been given so we can work within them.
The same applies if your doctor has told you to avoid certain movements, positions, or activities. Medical advice takes priority over yoga class.
And if you have an injury that is severe, worsening, unexplained, or hasn't been medically evaluated when it should be, class isn't a substitute for appropriate medical care.
Yoga Is Adaptable
One of the things I value about yoga is that the practice doesn't have to look exactly the same for every person—or even for the same person from week to week.
Some days your practice may be strong and active. Other days it may be quieter and more supported. You may need a chair, blocks, belts, blankets, the wall, or a completely different version of a pose.
That isn't "doing less yoga."
It's learning how to practice yoga with the body you have today.
So, if you're thinking, “I can't come to class because my shoulder/knee/back/wrist is bothering me,” consider reaching out before deciding to stay home.
Tell me what's going on. If it's appropriate for you to be in class, we may be able to find modifications that allow you to keep moving, keep learning, and maintain your practice while respecting the area that needs extra care. Iyengar yoga is known for its adaptability.
Sometimes the question isn't “Can I do yoga today?”
It's “What kind of yoga is appropriate for me today?”
And don’t forget that I offer a Yoga Therapy Class on Friday mornings at 9:00 am.
Vasisthasana, propped for a wrist or shoulder issue. There is no weight on the bottom hand.
Savasana with legs on the chair for back pain.
Reclined poses when you can’t do standing poses.
Salamba Purvottanasana as a supported back bend