Disability is not an Insult

Picture a yoga teacher in your mind. What do you see?

Did you picture a slender, white, able-bodied female in Lululemon apparel? Don't feel bad if that's where your mind went; that's natural. Honestly, that's still where my mind goes most of the time. As it goes with unconscious/subconscious biases, we must actively rewire our minds over time to shift our perspectives.

What's interesting about that mental shortcut is that image is so far from the actual roots of yoga. The ancient yoga gurus were Indian men. Yoga has been westernized, as it goes with most cultures in the states.

Meet Hailey Kinter, one of our disabled/accessible yoga teachers at Yoga for All Humans. Have you ever seen a yoga teacher in a wheelchair? I hadn't before I met Hailey. I'd bet a lot of money that this is NOT what you pictured when you imagined a yoga teacher!

While yoga seems accepting and loving on the surface, the industry is full of ableism and inaccessibility. That's actually why I started Yoga for All Humans - to create a space where everyone is welcome and feels represented, regardless of what body you come in or background you come from.

What does Accessible Yoga look like? It doesn't have to be a chair yoga class, although that's usually the most accessible. Even if you're not in a wheelchair, chair yoga is great for a myriad of people. Below is a list of people who are often excluded from typical yoga spaces; of course, this list is not exhaustive as it could really go on forever.

• The elderly, people recovering from injuries or surgeries, people with balance issues, people with sensitive joints, and even people who are just tired (aren't we all?).

Hailey made this video during one of her hospital stays to show that you can bring yoga with you when you need it most.

In honor of Disability Pride Month - which is the entire month of July - I asked Hailey if she would share her opinion on a couple topics. Please enjoy her perspective.

Is Disability a bad word, Hailey?

“I wish everyone knew that disabled is not a bad word. It’s being reclaimed and spelt with a capital ‘D’ to represent the pride in the community. I can’t speak for all disabled people, but I feel validated and seen with [the word Disabled].

Handicapped is ‘eww’ (cue an eww from Alexis Rose, please!), and ‘differently abled’ essentially says, ‘I don’t see/respect your struggle.’ Special needs is the worst one in my book. I was in Special Ed in high school, and I was bullied horribly and treated like an alien. Cripple is also being reclaimed, but it’s kind of like the ‘N word’ in the sense that it’s ok for disabled people to call each other [crippled], but not for an able-bodied person to use the term.

Lastly, ‘person with a disability’ is just annoyingly wordy and still implies a level of discomfort and separation.”

Hailey’s thoughts on Disability Pride:

“I’ve been a ‘hot mess express’ in and out of hospitals for more than half my life. I’ve had countless surgeries, hospital admissions, code blues, and ICU stays. I’ve been on life support for the last four years.

For years, I was made to feel less than, too much, and weak for using a mobility aid and having tubes dangling from my body. I longed to feel… to be normal. Being disabled, you are made to feel shameful, to hide your truth for other’s comfort. Support isn’t given out - I had to fight in court for seven years to receive disability benefits. Even with benefits, I’d be homeless if it wasn’t for my family.

Society would have us believe that vulnerability is a weakness; in reality, being vulnerable requires strength. It takes courage to ask for and accept help. To leave the house knowing people will stare.

To me, Disability Pride means recognizing all of the battles I’ve faced and celebrating my fighting spirit. I wear my scars and tubes like trophies. Everything I’ve lost made me appreciate people and all the little things so much more.

I feel pride not just for myself, but also for all my badass disabled family and friends who inspire. I think of legends like Judy Heumann who were disabled before me and fought for the rights I have today. I have pride for those who have died like Claire Wineland, for teaching me how to fall in love with my disabled life.

Nevertheless, there is still a lot of work to do. The world is not accessible, and disabled people do not have equal rights. No longer do I yearn to feel normal, I long for a future where disabled people are respected and appreciated.”