Teaching: What if I am unable to demonstrate the postures I want to teach in my class due to an injury or condition in my own body?

There are so many asanas to choose from that we would suggest you simply use different asanas in your class that you feel comfortable teaching and demonstrating.

Another option is to ask a student to demonstrate the asanas that are uncomfortable for you to demonstrate in your own body and then give verbal adjustments while the other students watch. If you wish, you can explain to your students why you are not demonstrating, informing your students about your condition or injury may be beneficial to some of your students who may also have similar limitations. If that is the case, you can always offer an alternative asana with prop options, variations and modifications, so every student continues to feel empowered and included on their mat.

If you are teaching online, perhaps you can go into an approximation of the pose and then explain the rest to students, so that you don't go too deeply into the pose and hurt yourself. Another option is to ask students to turn on their cameras (if you are using Zoom) and give them verbal adjustments from there.