By Laura Gilmore

Intro

Some ideas on how to provide a safe space for everyone whilst teaching yoga, including those who might feel excluded through their gender identity or sexuality. While I cannot claim to, in any way shape or form, be an expert on LGBTQIA+ issues, I am very humbly and with some trepidation offering this essay in the hope it may support more of us to be allies to those who otherwise might feel judged or excluded, punished or penalised.

Situation in the UK

The recent UK High Court ruling (May 2025) confirmed that repeatedly misgendering a trans person can be considered harassment under the Equality Act. That might sound like progress — but it’s not so simple. The court also protected the right to hold “gender-critical” beliefs — the idea that sex is fixed at birth and cannot change.

This creates a confusing and harmful situation: a trans person may still be deliberately misgendered, and unless the behaviour is extreme, it won’t count as unlawful. In effect, the ruling recognises that misgendering can be painful, but still treats trans identity as a matter of opinion rather than lived truth. It's yet another case of a ruling elite (or white men) deciding the fate of others.

Worse still, the UK Supreme Court recently ruled that “sex” in the Equality Act means biological sex. There has been significant concern about its implications for transgender individuals. Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned that such interpretations could make trans lives "unliveable," emphasizing the potential dangers of excluding trans individuals from legal protections.  

Additionally, a coalition of LGBTQ+ charities has highlighted the ruling's potential to undermine trans rights, calling for urgent discussions with government leaders. As many have cited, it is not trans women who make other women feel threatened, but most commonly cis men.

I find it deeply concerning that courts are spending time defining gender while violence against women and marginalised groups remains so widespread and under-addressed and the ruling is set to only make things worse.

As a Yoga Teacher

As yoga teachers, this matters. Yoga asks us to practise ahimsa, non-harming. And that includes emotional, psychological, and social harm. Our role is not to challenge or judge someone’s identity—it is to create the conditions for people to reconnect with themselves in safety.

Even if you don’t fully understand what it means to be trans or non-binary—that doesn’t disqualify you from being an ally. It makes your courage and willingness to try all the more powerful. We can still honour the strength and resilience it takes for someone to show up in a yoga class as they are, especially when the wider world may not accept them.

In fact, we don’t even need to know someone’s gender to treat them with respect. We can simply offer:

• gender-neutral bathrooms or changing areas

• inclusive language in our teaching

• space to share names and pronouns (without pressure)

• kindness when we get something wrong

Being an Ally

One experience really brought home to me that I needed a lot more awareness around LGBTQIA+ issues; a student came to the yoga studio who appeared physically to be male – the receptionist directed them to the male changing area, and in doing so really upset our yoga student who felt misgendered and understandably not recognised for who they are.

Of course we apologised in person and formally as a yoga studio, but it also made me realise I had some homework to do. We sought advice from Stonewall, a charity working in education and support of LGBTQIA+, to help us create a space to teach yoga that felt more safe and inclusive to everyone.

As a yoga teacher and instructor who wants to be open and accepting, it’s so important to reflect on our unconscious biases and try to understand what things might be like for others. The Bristol School of Yoga graduate Bex Lloydd who has also helped further my understanding, described this in her closing essay:

“It simply isn’t enough to say that our ‘yoga is for everyone’ unless we have done the deeper work to understand more about the experiences of ‘everyone’ in society and of those in marginalised communities that sit outside of the ‘norm’."

Allies can bridge gaps between those within/without minority communities:

“The more we learn about LGBTQ+ individuals and communities, the better we become at changing hearts and minds outside those communities.” — Gainsburg

Allyship, standing alongside others in a supportive and open manner, is an ongoing process of learning and of humility. We won’t always get it right but it’s better to try than to be too afraid to look. It helps when we accept our privilege, if we have not had to deal with the specific difficulties around non-heterosexuality in any form.

Yoga philosophy has always acknowledged suffering as an inherent quality of life; it offers ways to transform our suffering into compassionate wisdom and understanding. To inspire us to accept and support each other, whatever our differences or difficulties. Allyship here and in all its forms is so integral to our yoga practice.

Let's consider some areas that might need attention.

Marketing

Our marketing is the first place where we express our message. For the message to be received by the antenna of our ideal yoga students, we want to be clear visually and verbally on who the yoga class is for. 

If we are a cis white, slim, bendy yoga instructor for example, how are students going to know they don’t have to comply to the “perfect” conformist student image.

Whether the website/ leaflets/ social media, it’s a good idea to include images of more diverse yoga students, or language that describes clearly who the yoga class is for. Or both ideally.

• To offer and show yoga practices that are more accessible to more students.

• To include testimonials from those who have said they feel welcome at your yoga class or course.

• To acknowledge and celebrate diversity in any way - words, images, acknowledging festivals or pride etc.

The rainbow is a much recognised symbol so including this, suggests allyship with all students, however they chose to express their sexuality, or not. Instagram is a simple way to express what you want to say- I just have a rainbow & the word's "all welcome" plus a bursary offer for those who's life/ livelihood has been affected by trauma. Posting about trans as I found out last year is more problematic- the trolls come out in force so be prepared to ignore/ block/ have a cut off for your own sanity. 

Welcome

Being welcoming is such a great skill! I learnt from other yoga teachers the powerful effect of a big smile and a warm “welcome”,  “well done for coming” or “you made it”. This greeting given to each & every yoga practicing student as they arrive is reassuring - hopefully they realise- “whatever I bring today- my anxiety/ my perceived failures in life/ or my sexuality, I am welcome”. 

We can also express this in writing on websites, for example:

“I believe the practice of yoga is not compatible with discrimination of any sort. My yoga classes are for everyone, regardless of gender, race, religion. If you have specific needs please let me know”.

Pronouns

If you ask your students to complete a form, include a space for pronouns. As students arrive at your yoga class you can offer your own pronouns, so that others know they are welcome to offer their pronouns or ask for specific pronouns. This tends to feel a bit gentler than simply asking someone their pronouns. We can also do this within the group- if there is a discussion time, or simply an opportunity to let everyone know they are welcome. 

If you are not sure you can veer towards using “they, them” for everyone, in place of “he/ she, his/ her” this way we do not immediately assume that everyone identities as male or female, but we allow those who do not feel they suit either category well to be acknowledged also. This is usually described as non-binary, living beyond the simplified categories of man/ woman. The only problem is that others might take offence at being “them-ed”.

I often think so long as we are willing to apologise if we “get it wrong” e.g. use someone’s previous name or wrong pronoun then that is all we can do. There’s no need to panic, just to say “Oh I think I mis-referenced there. I’m sorry.” Or whatever works for you!

Physical space 

With bathrooms/changing spaces include an area that is “all genders”, or “for everyone”. Students may appreciate you bringing your own signs to a rented space that has not done this already. 

For yoga teachers and studios in the UK now:

• You are legally allowed to provide a gender-neutral toilet.

• This approach is inclusive and does not conflict with the Equality Act.

• You are not required to label facilities as strictly “male” or “female” unless you choose to.

• If you rent a space that has gendered toilets, you can bring your own signs (e.g. “Toilet – for everyone”).

The Language of Teaching

• Use non-gendered language e.g. “OK folks/ everyone/ you lovely people!” instead of ladies & gents/ boys/ girls/ men/ women.

• Use affirmative language e.g. keeping the standing leg as straight and stable as you can, lift the left leg… rather than “don’t bend the knee.”

• Being positive and kind in our language around the body can be a balm to anyone who has struggled with body image in any way. 

• If you want to offer specific practices around periods remember that there may be those who identify as male but have periods. 

• If you forget and use the wrong pronoun or if you forget and use gendered language, that’s fine! It's not an assessment, or judgement on you, just do your best to be inclusive and that will be appreciated.

   

   

   

   

Trauma Aware Teaching

It might feel suitable to also share a more trauma aware approach to teaching. Trauma-aware yoga is a way of teaching that recognises how trauma affects the nervous system and aims to create a space where all students feel safe, empowered, and in control of their experience. Unlike trauma sensitive yoga where the class is specifically designed to meet the needs of those who have experienced trauma, a trauma aware approach means we understand what the experience of trauma might be like and we work with that awareness.

 The focus is on creating a non-hierarchical environment where the teacher acts as a guide, not an authority over bodies. Language is inclusive and neutral, avoiding gendered terms, body shame, or anything that might trigger discomfort. While trauma-aware teaching supports those with known trauma, it also benefits everyone—because most of us carry some emotional stress. Ultimately, this approach makes yoga more inclusive, kind, and true to its deeper purpose: helping people come home to themselves.

Conclusion

Yoga is often described as meaning “union” — and yet throughout history, it has been shaped by systems that excluded many: from caste and gender hierarchies in ancient contexts, to the beauty and wellness industries of today. What was once a liberating practice of self-inquiry and transformation has, in many spaces, been reduced to something performative or commercial — available only to those who look or live a certain way.

But yoga at its heart has never belonged to the elite. It’s a path of inner liberation — and now more than ever, we are being invited to reclaim it. To share yoga in its full depth means rooting our practice in ahimsa (non-harm), satya(truthfulness), and the courageous compassion that honours difference, challenge, and lived experience.

That includes standing with our LGBTQIA+ siblings — not because it’s trendy or expected, but because they are living examples of what it means to walk toward truth with strength and vulnerability. As yoga teachers and students, we can follow their lead — by making space, offering kindness, and choosing to see each person not as a label, but as a soul on a path.

In a world that is increasingly polarised, creating inclusive spaces isn’t about being perfect — it’s about being willing to listen, to learn, and to keep showing up, even though inevitably we will sometimes  get it wrong!

Further Support

I offer online courses and resources for Yoga teachers:

Inclusive Yoga

Teaching yoga for Anxiety + Trauma

Useful Definitions from Stonewall

● AFAB: assigned female at birth 

● AMAB: assigned male at birth 

● Binary: relating to, composed of, or involving only two things; commonly how gender is regarded (i.e. male/female, man/woman) 

● Cis or Cisgender: Latin in origin, meaning “on the side of;” in this case, cis refers to being “on the side of” the gender spectrum you were assigned at birth 

● LGBTQ+: The acronym for lesbian, gay, bi, trans, queer, questioning, asexual and other gender/sexual minorities 

● Trans or transgender: Latin in origin, meaning “on the other side of.” Trans refers to not identifying with the sex you were assigned at birth; a person might be a trans man or trans woman 

● Non-binary, genderqueer, gender non-conforming, or genderfluid: identifying outside of the male-female binary. Some non-binary people also identify as trans—trans is often considered to be an “umbrella” term for various trans and non-binary identities. 

● Heteronormativity: The assumption that everyone is heterosexual, and that heterosexuality is superior. An emphasis on heterosexual being ‘the norm’.

References

‘The Savvy Ally: a guide for becoming a skilled LGBTQ+ advocate’ by Jeannie Gainsburg

Stonewall- advocates for LGBTQ+ rights

The Guardian newspaper re. Nicola Sturgeon and other recent articles in the UK