Invisible Exclusion in Yoga Spaces: What We Often Miss (And How to Do Better)

Yoga is often described as a practice of "union"; a space for everyone.
But many yoga spaces still carry quiet barriers to inclusion. Not because teachers intend harm, but because exclusion can show up in ways that are subtle, everyday, and often invisible.

At Jala Yoga®, our teacher training helps future yoga teachers recognise and respond to these less-visible forms of exclusion - with awareness, humility, and real tools.

Here are some of the ways exclusion commonly shows up, and how we address it in our 350hr trauma-informed, neuro-affirming and culturally responsive training:

 

1. Limited Diversity in Teaching Teams

When teaching teams lack diversity - whether in race, culture, gender, body size, ability, or neurotype - it quietly sends a message about who belongs, and who doesn’t.

This isn’t always intentional. But it matters.

Students are more likely to feel safe and seen when they’re represented in the space - not just in who attends, but in who leads.

Example:
A neurodivergent student, or a culturally diverse person may enter a studio and feel like they’re the only one in the room who moves, speaks, or thinks the way they do. Without a sense of reflection or cultural safety, participation becomes a performance of fitting in - not a felt experience of belonging.

What we do:
At Jala Yoga®, we work with a diverse team of guest educators and facilitators across disciplines. We also invite our trainees to reflect on their own lived experience and the perspectives they may unconsciously centre.

Representation isn’t just about visibility - it’s about building safer spaces from the ground up.

 

2. Silence, OR Stepping Beyond Scope,  Around Trauma, Grief, and Mental Health

Trauma, grief, anxiety, depression - these experiences often enter the room with our students, even if they’re never spoken aloud. But most yoga teachers haven’t been trained to recognise or respond to these realities in ethical, grounded ways.

And when they haven’t, two things usually happen:
They stay silent.
Or they try to help - and overstep their role.

Example:
A student shares that they’re feeling overwhelmed or grieving a recent loss. The teacher either freezes and changes the subject, or launches into advice, a personal story, how yoga philosophy could apply, or offers a practice that’s outside their scope to guide safely.

What we do:
We teach our trainees how to hold space without overreaching. That means:
– Knowing when to stay present, and when to refer
– Responding with calm, trauma-aware language
– Understanding the limits of your role as a yoga teacher
– And completing Mental Health First Aid certification so you’re equipped to respond if someone is in crisis

Presence doesn’t mean fixing. And silence isn’t always safety.

 

3. Teaching Spiritual Practices Without Cultural Context

Yoga’s spiritual practices - including mantra, pranayama, meditation, and philosophy - hold deep cultural and historical roots. When these are shared without context, or treated as universally neutral, it can feel extractive and alienating.

Example:
A teacher invites students to chant Sanskrit mantra without explaining its meaning or origin, or assumes all students will feel comfortable engaging with spiritual practices. For students from different faiths, or those who have experienced religious trauma, this can cause confusion, discomfort, or even harm.

What we do:
We guide our trainees to teach with cultural humility. That means honouring lineage, naming what they’re sharing and where it comes from, and never assuming shared belief systems. We also talk about consent in spiritual spaces - making sure students know they can opt out or adapt practices in ways that align with their own values.

Our goal isn’t to water down yoga’s roots - but to hold them with reverence, while making room for other beliefs and ways of being to co-exist.

 

4. Gendered or Exclusive Language

Language shapes how safe a space feels - or doesn’t.

When we use gendered or binary language, we often unintentionally exclude or alienate those who don’t fit those categories.

Example:
A teacher says “ladies are more flexible, and men are naturally stronger” or refers to pelvic floor cues as part of “feminine energy.” For trans, non-binary, or gender-diverse students, this can feel erasing or disorienting - especially if they’re already navigating discomfort or dysphoria in their body.

What we do:
We train our teachers to use affirming, inclusive, and neutral language that doesn’t rely on assumptions. We teach them to ask, listen, and respond - not just with pronouns, but with a full awareness that every student’s experience of their body and identity is unique.

Inclusive language isn’t about being politically correct. It’s about reducing harm, increasing safety, and allowing people to come as they are.

 

5. One-Size-Fits-All Structure and Pacing

Many yoga classes follow a familiar structure: start with stillness, move through breath and asana, end in rest. But for students with chronic illness, pain, neurodivergence, disability, or trauma histories -  this default structure can be dysregulating, inaccessible, or even harmful.

Example:
A student with ADHD may find long holds unbearable. Someone recovering from trauma may find lying on their back with eyes closed triggering. A student with fatigue or chronic pain may need to move more slowly or skip entire parts of class. If the class isn’t paced or cued to allow for this, they’re left behind.

What we do:
At Jala Yoga, we teach pacing as a trauma-informed skill. Our trainees learn how to build flexible class structures, offer sensory alternatives, and make space for students to self-direct their experience without shame. We also talk about the cultural assumptions behind what a “good” or “complete” class looks like - and how to gently challenge them.

Yoga isn’t about uniformity. It's about meeting people where they are - without rushing them to be somewhere else.

 

6. No Built-In Choice

When yoga teachers don’t offer options, students are left to either follow along or drop out. This can feel like pressure - especially for those who are new, dysregulated, or navigating pain or grief.

Example:
A teacher cues “take a deep breath and let go” or “come into stillness” without acknowledging that for some students, stillness isn’t safe - and deep breathing might not feel accessible. 

What we do:
We help teachers embed choice into every part of class - not just physical options, but emotional and cognitive ones too. That means offering alternatives without making students feel called out, and using language that allows for opt-in rather than compliance.

Choice is core to trauma-informed practice. And for many students, it’s what makes yoga feel safe enough to stay.

 

Ready to Teach with Depth, Integrity, and Inclusivity?

If you’re a yoga teacher, PT, pilates teacher, or an allied health professional, therapist, or educator, looking to expand your skillset, our 350hr Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training is here to support you.

We prepare teachers to:

• Integrate trauma-aware, neuro-affirming, and culturally responsive practices

• Teach in healthcare, NDIS, private practice, or community settings

• Understand scope of practice, ethics, and referral pathways

• Adapt yoga for diverse physical, mental, emotional, and cultural needs

• and so much more!

 

Want to Learn to Teach with Flexibility, Insight & Integrity?

Here are 3 ways to explore our course:

1. Book a 20-minute Discovery Call
   Let’s talk about where you’re at, and whether we’re the right fit.

2. Download the Full Prospectus
   Get a detailed breakdown of the curriculum, delivery, accessibility, pricing, and more.

3. Experience a Taste of our Training in a Sneak Peek 
   Watch a pre-recorded lecture from our online portal to see our teaching style.