I love the idea of yoga for everyone.

Of course.

And apparently, I’m not the only one.

I can’t even tell you how many studios I’ve seen that advertise about yoga for everyone or every body.  But I can tell you how many I’ve seen that live up to that:

Not many.

That’s right; I’ve rarely been to a studio that truly targets and attracts a wide variety of students.  Of course, there are larger forms of discrimination at work that sometimes prevent this from happening, but I’ve found even an effort at broad diversity to be lacking in many cases.

In order for you to look into this, too, I’ve prepared a handy “is everyone actually here” checklist (aka the “is it even possible for a representative from everyone to be here” checklist).

Let’s jump right in, shall we?

1. Beginners need a yoga teaching certificate: If a beginning practice involves Tittibhasana (Firefly Pose), give your studio a second glance.  I literally just saw this in an advertisement yesterday.  I wish I was making that up.

 

2. Taste the rainbow: You walk in the studio, and everyone is white, young, and seemingly able-bodied.  Um, “Houston, we have a problem.”

 

3. Junk in the trunk: And no, I don’t mean a small “pooch,” whatever that means (especially if it means a Labradoodle).  No, I’m talking about even seeing some average-sized people in there (btw, average for women in the US is size 14, not 4, contrary to popular belief).

 

4. Class rate = mortgage: If your class drop-in rate is $25, “everyone” might find it difficult to participate.  My sister told me that her local studio recently dropped their student rates completely and raised their drop-in rate to $25.  I love yoga, but there is no way I’d pay $25 for one regular weekly class.  No.  Way.

That’s just a few to get us started.  What would you add to the list?  Do you think it’s helpful to talk about (and advertise) yoga for “everyone?”