Insights from a Yoga Instructor about hands-on adjustments
At SelfLove.Yoga, my mission is to share real experiences and foster open discussions with those passionate about yoga—whether you’re a student or a fellow instructor.
If you’ve attended my classes, you know that I value hands-on adjustments to help students refine their practice. These adjustments can unlock a deeper understanding of alignment and movement. However, today, I want to address a topic that many in the yoga world shy away from: the complexities and challenges of hands-on adjustments, especially with new students.
A Challenging Moment in Class
Recently, a new student attended my class. She mentioned having a tight lower back and asked me multiple times for hands-on adjustments. While I value helping students, I had to decline. Why?
1. It was her first class with me. I didn’t know her body, her practice history, or any potential injuries.
2. She wasn’t sure about prior injuries. Without that knowledge, providing adjustments could pose risks.
3. I’m not a medical professional. Yoga instructors, as skilled as we may be, are not qualified to diagnose or treat medical conditions.
Instead, I encouraged her to attend my classes regularly, check in with her doctor, and build trust between us over time.
Mixed Feelings About Hands-On Adjustments
As an experienced instructor, I see the value of hands-on adjustments—they can deepen a student’s practice and help them discover what their body is capable of. Many of my regular students appreciate these adjustments and find them transformative.
However, there are challenges:
1. Misunderstandings: Even when I ask for permission, new students sometimes feel uncomfortable saying "no" or react unpredictably.
2. Hidden Issues: A seemingly helpful adjustment might trigger dormant physical or emotional issues in a student.
3. Unclear Consent: Some students say “yeah,” “ummm,” or “sure” but may not fully mean it, leading to discomfort afterward.
These experiences have taught me to approach hands-on adjustments with care and mindfulness, especially with new students.
My Rules for Hands-On Adjustments
Over the years, I’ve developed a set of personal guidelines to navigate this delicate part of teaching:
1. Never give medical advice. Yoga instructors are not doctors, and it’s crucial to stay within our scope of practice.
2. Consider using tokens. Offer students something like a plastic chip they can place on their mat to indicate they’re open to adjustments.
3. Adjust only regular students. Reserve hands-on adjustments for students you know well, who have explicitly requested them and have no known medical issues.
4. Always ask for permission. Even with regular students, it’s essential to ask before offering an adjustment.
5. When in doubt, don’t adjust. Hands-on adjustments are helpful but not mandatory in a yoga class.
6. Ensure clear consent. When asking students, you must receive a clear and enthusiastic “YES.” Responses like “ummm,” “sure,” or nodding their heads do not constitute explicit consent.
7. Practice self-awareness. Do not give deep, strong adjustments unless you have a solid personal yoga practice and understand how the pose affects your body. Avoid offering adjustments based solely on observing masters in workshops or videos without applying the concepts yourself.
Why Listen to Me?
I’ve spent years refining my teaching methods, risking criticism, and even my job, to offer hands-on adjustments that advance my students’ practice. Along the way, I’ve received both praise and complaints, and every experience has shaped my understanding of this sensitive topic.
Let’s Start a Conversation
To my fellow yoga instructors: What has been your experience with hands-on adjustments? How do you navigate the balance between helping your students and respecting their boundaries? Any interesting information and examples to share?
To yoga students: How do you feel about hands-on adjustments? Do they help you, or do they make you uneasy?
Let’s learn from one another and bridge the gap between student and instructor.
If you’re looking to deepen your yoga practice, learn real, effective hands-on adjustments, or explore what it means to teach yoga authentically, join my yoga teacher training program at SelfLove.Yoga.
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Namaste
Barry
(E-RYT500, YACEP)
- Yoga Teacher Training: selfLove.Yoga
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