Once an Modifications Asana Lab is recorded, it will be available to you on YouTube via our Asana Labs playlist.
 

OTHER RESOURCES:

• Review the Modifications/Props Section in your Mark Stephens Book.

Modifications are essential tools in yoga that help make poses accessible and safe for all practitioners, regardless of their experience level, physical limitations, or injuries. Understanding how to effectively offer modifications can enhance your ability to teach inclusively and support your students' individual needs.
 

Why Modifications Are Important

• Accessibility: Ensures that students of all levels can participate and benefit from the practice.
• Safety: Helps prevent injuries by allowing students to practice within their limits.
• Inclusivity: Creates a welcoming environment for all students, including those with physical limitations, injuries, or special conditions.
• Progression: Allows students to gradually build strength, flexibility, and confidence in their practice.

General Principles for Offering Modifications

• Observe and Assess: Pay attention to students' alignment, comfort, and ability to perform poses. Offer modifications based on their needs.
• Encourage Self-Awareness: Teach students to listen to their bodies and recognize when they need to modify a pose.
• Provide Clear Instructions: Demonstrate and explain modifications clearly, ensuring students understand how to perform them safely.
• Use Props: Incorporate yoga props such as blocks, straps, blankets, and bolsters to support and modify poses.
• Promote Acceptance: Foster an environment where using modifications is seen as a strength and a form of self-care, rather than a sign of weakness.
• Demonstration: Demonstrate both the full expression of the pose and the modifications to show that all variations are valid and beneficial. Consider starting your demonstration with the most modified version, and progressing as an option.
• Encouragement: Reinforce the idea that using modifications is a sign of mindful practice and self-awareness.

Language Matters!

• Consider using phrases like:
  • If it's not available today. <Insert Modification>
  • If you would like to shorten the distance between your hands and the floor, place your hand on a block.
  • Keep a generous bend in your knees (in a forward fold), slowly lengthen through your legs as you continue to breathe.
  • Lift your leg any amount.
  • For less sensation <insert modification>
  • Everyone try <insert modification> first. Stay as is, or <insert progression/variation>
  • If you’d like a bit more support, you can <insert modification>
  • To support your alignment place a block <insert instruction>
• Avoid using phrases like:
  • If you can't _____.
  • If you need it...
  • If it's too hard...
  • (If you want) to make it easier...
     

Modifications for Specific Needs

• Pregnancy: Avoid poses that compress the belly or involve lying flat on the back. Use props for support in standing poses, and focus on gentle stretches and hip openers.
• Injuries: Tailor modifications to avoid aggravating injuries. For example, for wrist issues, use fists or forearms instead of palms in poses like Plank or Downward Dog.
• Limited Mobility: Use a chair for seated and standing poses. Modify poses to be more accessible and focus on gentle movements and stretches.
• Older Adults: Emphasize balance, gentle stretching, and strength-building with support. Use props and modify poses to reduce strain on joints.

The goal with modifications is to empower the student to take control of their practice and use props as often as they want to without shame. Modifications help create a more inclusive and supportive yoga environment. This approach helps all students feel empowered and comfortable in their practice, leading to greater engagement and long-term commitment to yoga.