Adaptation / Customization Principles

Explain what is meant by “adaptation principles” and how this is similar and different from a therapeutic approach. Provide examples of how a yoga teacher might use adaptation principles in teaching. Name subjects that are important as background knowledge before considering how to approach an individual situation. Explain why it’s important to know if a student is taking pain medication. Describe five foundations and six principles that can guide you when responding to individual situations. Describe how you might inspire students to experience injury as a teacher.

Generic vs. Adaptive vs. Therapeutics

In lesson, we explore powerful “adaptive principles.” But first, let’s clarify the term.

Adaptation vs. Therapy or Therapeutics

As yoga TEACHING and yoga THERAPY have evolved in the West, there has come to be a more clear distinction between the two professions.

The term “therapeutics” is now best reserved for referring to yoga therapy wherein the therapist works individually with a client to design an individual plan.

The terms “adaptive” and “adaptation” describe the expectations of a yoga teacher in a group class.

Here's how representatives of International Association of Yoga Therapists and Yoga Alliance have noted this increasing distinction:

It makes sense for the YA to distinguish what they do from what IAYT does, since neither YA’s standards nor their mission are designed to support yoga therapy as an emerging field distinct from yoga teaching… it is timely to more carefully identify the distinguishing characteristics and develop distinct credentials. – John Kepner

And the following is an excerpt from the Yoga Alliance Q&A that addresses their 2016 change in policy as it relates to yoga therapy. We give more details here.

A training module that educates its trainees in how to teach yoga to someone with a medical condition without hurting them is [appropriate]. Teaching about contraindications when instructing students with disabilities or medical conditions falls within the Registry’s educational categories. We encourage RYSs to teach their trainees how to safely conduct a yoga class with these populations… In contrast, modules that focus on treating symptoms or diagnosing medical conditions do not fall within the Registry’s Standards and would not count towards the minimum training hours.