Before booking a yoga studio, check the parts of the visit that matter to you: getting there, entering the room, using facilities, following the teaching and leaving. A welcoming description does not confirm that those arrangements will work.

Use this checklist to ask for specifics. It is a planning aid, not an accessibility certification or a guarantee that a venue meets local requirements.

Check the visit from arrival to departure

Part of the visit	What to confirm
Booking	A usable booking method and a named contact for access questions before payment.
Arrival	The route from transport or drop-off, entrance steps and any alternative entrance.
Moving inside	Doorways, lifts and room access suitable for the equipment you use; ask for measurements when needed.
Facilities	The actual toilet and changing setup, including any specific equipment you require.
Class	Seating, floor-transfer expectations, communication formats, lighting, sound and scent.
Support	Whether your support person or assistance animal can attend, any arrangements or costs, and who provides help.
Leaving	A clear exit route and the venue's emergency arrangements if you need assistance.

Activity Alliance's access guidance considers the whole visitor journey, including information before arrival. Its indoor guidance also addresses emergency arrangements. Ask the studio how its own plan works; do not assume that the normal arrival route will be available in an emergency.

Send a specific request

For example:

"I would like to attend Tuesday's class. I use my own chair and will not transfer to the floor. Can I reach the room and toilet without steps, remain in my chair throughout, and leave with the assistance I need? Please let me know who can confirm the arrangements before I pay."

Change the details to fit your needs. You can describe practical requirements without sending an entire medical history. Ask to discuss sensitive information privately if it is needed for participation.

Check consent and communication

Ask how the teacher offers alternatives, demonstrates movements and checks permission for touch. Attendance does not mean agreeing to hands-on assistance, partner work or photography.

If you need a non-spoken way to pause or ask for help, arrange it beforehand. A teacher should not rely on you repeatedly explaining the same access need during class.

For more questions about teaching formats, see Adaptive yoga: a practical guide for students.

Resolve unanswered questions before committing

"We can adapt everything" is not a substitute for checking the room or available support. Ask staff to verify an uncertain detail. You can request a visit or single class if useful, but a paid trial should not be necessary to discover whether essential access exists.

Confirm what happens if the promised arrangements are unavailable, including cancellation or refund terms. If the setup changes on arrival, you can decline to participate rather than accept an improvised transfer or unsuitable alternative.

Keep access and clinical advice separate

A studio can describe facilities and teaching options. It cannot establish through this checklist which movements are medically appropriate for you. If you have relevant clinical restrictions, discuss the class with the professional responsible for your care.

Sources

• Activity Alliance, Access for All: creating accessible places and spaces (opens in a new tab).
• Activity Alliance, Creating accessible indoor spaces (opens in a new tab).
• NCCIH, Yoga: effectiveness and safety (opens in a new tab).