FAQ
The Answers You Need
I'VE NEVER DONE YOGA OR PILATES BEFORE AND I'M WORRIED I WON'T BE ABLE TO KEEP UP OR FIT IN. CAN I STILL COME ALONG?
Absolutely! Our classes have a great mix of people from all different backgrounds and with all different abilities. No one is ever out of place in a Bumblebee Yoga class, and we also put extra effort into making it a safe place for people in the LGBTQIA+ community and people with all types of bodies, including those with disabilities.
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When it comes to the class content, there's one important rule: Your Practice = Your Choice. You're the expert on what's going on in your body, so it's our job to guide and support you in finding the movement that is best suited to you in that moment! We give you lots of different options to try out, and encourage you to play and experiment around with that works best for you.
I'VE GOT A DISABILITY, INJURY, HEALTH CONDITION, OR ACHY BODY, CAN I STILL DO YOGA AND PILATES?
If you can breathe, you can do yoga! Same goes for Pilates. Accessibility is at the core of everything we do, and there's a way to make these practices work in any kind of body. Some people with higher support needs might opt to go with private 1:1 classes to get a fully personalised experience, particularly those who need physical support through the class. Some people might start with a handful of private classes for some help figuring out how the poses or exercises work best for them before joining a group class. And of course, in our group classes we have endless ways that we can adapt and create practices that will work for you! Have a chat to your teacher about how you can work together during the class to have a great experience.
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We recommend that all of our students chat to their doctor about starting any new physical activity, and if you do have any concerns about how to best practice with your body, discuss this with your health team and your yoga or Pilates teacher!
WHAT IS ADAPTIVE YOGA?
Adaptive yoga is just yoga. We particularly use the term 'Adaptive' when we're talking about getting creative with poses for people with disabilities. Accessibility sits at the heart of yoga essence, and when we adapt yoga poses, we create a practice that is uniquely yours. This might mean physically changing the pose to fit your body's abilities, or changing the way the pose is taught to help you understand how to practice safely. Everyone is welcome to practice yoga in whichever way feels right for them.
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING TO CLASS?
Firstly, an open mind!
We have all the equipment you'll need, but if you have your own mat or props, feel free to bring them along. Wear something you feel comfortable in. This doesn't have to be "fitness clothing"! Just something you can move in, for example, loose pants, track pants, shorts, or leggings, and a t-shirt or tank top. We have a whole blog post on this that you can read here, but here's the gist: You do you!
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One important thing to get done before class is to have a chat to your health professional. It is a condition of taking part that you're medically safe to participate that you agree to when booking in for a class. We are definitely happy to chat with doctors and health professionals about your needs and how to stay safe.
Depending on your needs, you might bring a carer or friend into class to support you. If you need extra support transferring onto the floor or in and out of chairs, please have a chat to Leah about setting this up and finding the right kind of class for you.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM A CLASS?
The vibe we try to create in all of our classes is relaxed, fun, supportive, and safe!
For our yoga classes, each week has a particular theme that we'll focus on. This might mean poses that focus on a particular body part, energy level or pace, or a mindfulness topic we'll weave through. We usually start the class with a couple minutes of grounding and some warm ups, then move through some poses on the ground. Often we'll do a short standing series in the middle of class, and end with some more stretches on the floor, a breathing practice, and a meditation.
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For Pilates, each class will have a mix of exercises that will strengthen and mobilise your whole body. We try to move in different planes of motion, like forwards and backwards, side to side, and twisting, and usually there's a mix of poses on your back, tummy, sides, knees, and standing. All of the exercises have layers, so you can add or reduce load to adjust to your needs.
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For private classes, it really depends on you! In the first session your teacher will probably ask you a bunch of questions about you, your body, and what you want to get out of classes. Then, you work together to craft and build a practice that suits your needs and goals!
WHAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOGA AND PILATES?
Yoga is an ancient practice that involves physical poses (asana), breathing (pranayama), meditation, and self-exploration, as well as spiritual and devotional traditions. There are many different types of yoga offered these days, ranging from intense physical practices to deep spiritual experiences, with lots in-between. In Bumblebee Yoga classes, we hone in on gentle movements that focus on mobility, flexibility, and strength, as well as mindfulness practices like self-compassion and breath awareness. We help you find the right level of physical challenge, depending on what you want out of the class. We might also use some props to support the poses in various ways.
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Pilates is a newer form of exercise that comes from physical therapy and rehabilitation. The focus is on strengthening and conditioning the body in a really balanced way. Each exercise targets a different muscle group, usually by stabilising one body part and controlling your muscles to mobilise another part. At Bumblebee Yoga we teach Mat Pilates, which is performed (as the name suggests) on a mat, either just with your own body weight, or with some small pieces of equipment.
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While there is lots of cross-over between Yoga and Pilates, they are both independent of each other and give us different benefits. The best way to understand the nuances of both practices is by giving them a go! They compliment each other beautifully and are both great things to work into your movement practice.
WHY SHOULD I PRACTICE YOGA AND PILATES?
People practice for all sorts of reasons! Both Yoga and Pilates have a tonne of scientific research behind them, showing the myriad of benefits of regular practice. Mindful movement has been shown to be fantastic for mental and emotional health, stress management, and overall wellbeing. Both Yoga and Pilates can reduce blood pressure, build postural and muscular strength, and improve body awareness, coordination, and balance.
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Pilates is particularly good at strengthening your core, balancing muscular control across your body, and preventing musculoskeletal injuries, whereas Yoga excels at increasing your range of motion, improving circulation, and reducing lower back pain. As well as the health benefits, our students also say that they enjoy being a part of a community that is fun, accepting and welcoming! You can read more about the science of mindfulness, yoga, and Pilates on our blog.
CAN I ACCESS YOGA AND PILATES WITH MY NDIS PACKAGE?
Many people do have scope in their NDIS packages to take yoga or classes if it aligns with the goals you've identified in your plan.
If you have a support coordinator or plan manager, get in touch with them to arrange this. If you are self-managed, please get in touch with us to write up a Service Agreement.
At this stage Bumblebee Yoga is not a registered NDIS provider. To learn more about unregistered providers, see here: https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/providers/unregistered-providers
DO YOU WORK WITH ORGANISATIONS AND PRIVATE GROUPS?
Yes, absolutely! We love partnering with organisations, businesses, NGOs, and departments. We're also available for private one-on-one or small group sessions. We can tailor classes, workshops, or events to suit your needs.
Click here for more information, or get in touch with us at yogabumblebee@outlook.com or on 0435 039 642
WHERE ARE YOU LOCATED?
We are based in South Australia. Our regular classes are in the Clovelly Park area, which is about 15-20 minutes south of the city. We also offer private or group classes by request across the Adelaide region.