30 Things I’ve Learned from 30 Years of Teaching Yoga
Being a teacher means remaining a student.
Author
Jivana Heyman
Jivana Heyman is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an organization dedicated to increasing access to the yoga teachings and supporting yoga teachers. He’s the author of the books: Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body; Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage & Compassion; and The Teacher’s Guide to Accessible Yoga: Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body.
Over the past thirty years of teaching yoga, Jivana has focused on welcoming all people to yoga and celebrating our individuality and our differences. His work has focused on dismantling ableism in the yoga world, as well as looking at the intersection of yoga and social justice. His books, classes, and trainings offer support to yoga teachers and yoga therapists in finding ways to bring creativity and collaboration into their teaching while still respecting the ancient yoga tradition.
Certifications: E-RYT 500 | C-IAYT
My Stories
5 Things Every Yoga Teacher Needs to Know
They're the aspects of teaching that are often overlooked.
A Quick Couch Yoga Practice (Yes, Couch) for When You Want to Stay Sitting
The comfiest thing in your home may also be your most undervalued yoga prop.
A Chair Yoga Practice for the Older Adults in Your Life
Although these moves are effective ways to stretch and strengthen at any age.
5 Unexpected Health Benefits of Chair Yoga (Especially for Older Adults)
It can help every aspect of life—and in surprising ways.
The Subtle & Profound Magic of Chair Yoga
Consider it alchemy.
4 Accessible (and Comfortable) Sitting Postures for Meditation
Yes, there are ways for you to meditate without pain or discomfort.
Yoga Teachers, It Is Not Your Job to Fix Your Students
In his latest book, Jivana Heyman challenges the mistaken notions that many yoga teachers take into their classes.
Does Yoga Teacher Training Prepare You to Teach Everyone?
Training teachers in accessibility helps make yoga inclusive for everyone.
Going Viral on Instagram Taught Me to Change My Assumptions About Yoga Influencers
I learned that there’s more than one way to make yoga accessible.
Yoga for Courage & Compassion With Jivana Heyman
In this 30-minute chair yoga practice, we're encouraged to turn inward to find compassion for ourselves—and others. Plus: Get 30% off Jivana Heyman's new book, Yoga Revolution.
This Meditation Encourages You to Embrace Your Active Mind
Check out Jivana Heyman's author page.
You Can Do This Yoga Practice Without Leaving Your Bed
Don't get up! You can practice this prop-supported sequence while lying down.
Chair Yoga 101: 2 Ways to Practice Side Bends
Free your side body and back—and find calm—with this accessible exercise from Jivana Heyman.
Try This Feel-Good Warrior Flow in a Chair
Connect movement and breath in this creative (and accessible) yoga sequence.
Chair Yoga: A Calming Practice to Reconnect with Yourself
When you’re feeling scattered, turn your attention inward and find your center.
Be Your Own Guru
There's a better way to find answers to your most essential and existential questions—trusting your own inner teacher.
Jivana Heyman’s Poem for the End of Class
The Santa Barbara–based yoga teacher and founder and director of Accessible Yoga shares his favorite poem for shavasana.
Why Yoga Has Always Been Political
As the discussion over yoga’s place in politics and public life continues to be debated, Yoga Journal is committed to providing a platform for thoughtful conversations that grapple with how—or if—yoga practice includes space for activism. This is the first in a series of essays by yogis who have considered the matter and have an important perspective to share.
Chair Yoga Sequence for the Whole Body and Mind
Try this accessible chair yoga sequence designed to reduce joint strain and boost your concentration, mobility, and strength.
Making Yoga Accessible to All
Jivana Heyman, author of Accessible Yoga, explains how it's important to adapt a pose to the person instead of the other way around.
6 Ways to Avoid Ableism in Yoga Classes
It’s a critical step in making the practice accessible to everybody.
How to Practice Sun Salutations in Bed
Even if you have chronic fatigue, fibromyalgia, or autoimmune diseases like Lyme or rheumatoid arthritis and have to spend part (or most) of the day in bed, you can still reap the benefits of Sun Salutations.
How to Practice Sun Salutations in a Chair
A practice for feeling grounded and balanced.
How to Use a Wall for Sun Salutations
This often-overlooked prop adds so much support to your practice.
Try This Sequence to Confront Your Fears and Unleash Your Inner Warrior
I always felt that yoga offered more than a great stretch or workout. It gave me a way to connect with others and myself at the same time. You can find a bit of that feeling in this sequence.