11/16/2025
I shared recently about the big misconceptions around “beginner-friendly” yoga and how easily we confuse basic postures with accessible ones.
Downward Facing Dog is considered a basic pose. Yet for many bodies, it’s anything but beginner-friendly.
And honestly? Even with years of practice, I’ve recently had to modify my own practice and avoid DownDog because of a shoulder injury. This “basic” posture was completely off-limits. A reminder that our bodies, histories, and abilities are not one-size-fits-all.
Not everyone walks into Yoga with a background in movement, dance, fitness, or flexibility. And not every body needs to (or should) start in the same place.
And just to be clear, this isn’t about blaming anyone. It’s about helping both teachers and students remember that Yoga is so much more than the shapes we make on the mat. If we’re calling something “beginner-friendly,” it’s our responsibility as teachers to adopt a beginner’s mindset and to break things down, offer support, and meet people exactly where they are.
Because here’s the heart of it, Yoga was never about nailing Downward Dog. It’s about how you meet yourself in the practice (what surfaces, what you learn, what you avoid) and how willing you are to keep showing up anyway.
P.S. All the clips you see here are pulled from my live-streamed class this weekend. Real-time teaching, real students, and the real prep work that makes Downward Dog feel accessible, safe, and supportive.
