Yoga teachers- do you change your ques when one of your students is pregnant?

This is Ashtanga Yoga Tech Support. Real questions from the yoga community, answered.

Our Response

Okay. First thing: talk to her. Ask what trimester. Ask how she's feeling. Ask if her doctor cleared her for practice.

Don't guess what she needs. She knows her body better than you do.

General rules: No deep twists. No belly-down poses after first trimester. No jumping after she starts showing. Wide-legged forward folds instead of closed-leg ones. Make space for the belly.

Vinyasas optional is good. But also offer alternatives. Not just "skip it." Give her cat-cow. Give her a standing flow that keeps her moving.

Inversions are controversial. If she's been doing them, most docs say fine. If she hasn't, not the time to start.

Watch for overheating. Pregnant bodies run hot. Remind her to hydrate. Give her permission to rest anytime.

And here's the thing: every pregnancy is different. What works at 12 weeks might not work at 25. Keep the conversation open. Check in every class.

You're not her doctor. You're her teacher. Your job is to make space for her practice to evolve.

[END]

Total time: ~90 seconds