Pillar 3: Financial Access — Equity, Not Charity

When you think about accessibility in yoga, you may first think about physical access.

Can someone enter the studio? Can they navigate the space? Can they participate in the class?

But there is another question to ask: Can they afford to be there?

In the Inclusive Yoga Framework, the Financial Access Pillar looks at the economic realities facing people who have a disability and the equity strategies that can help remove financial barriers to participation.

The economic reality of disability

Financial access isn't a footnote in the conversation about disability inclusion.

For many people who have a disability, cost can be the barrier that makes every other form of access irrelevant.

People who have a disability can face higher rates of unemployment and underemployment, lower incomes, and significant out-of-pocket costs related to disability. These can include equipment, medications, personal support workers, accessible transportation, and other supports that may not be fully covered by public or private funding.

They may want to practise.

They may value yoga.

They may be fully committed to attending.

And they may simply not be able to afford your rates.

That has nothing to do with their desire, commitment, or worthiness as a student.

Understanding this means looking at the full picture of what access requires—and taking ownership of the part that belongs to you.

Financial access is not charity. It is equity.

That distinction matters.

Charity provides something to someone because they are perceived to be in need.

Equity recognizes that a barrier exists and takes action to remove it.

When you make your studio financially accessible, you aren't doing something for people who have a disability. You are removing a barrier that may prevent them from participating.

Yoga shouldn't be a practice available only to people without financial constraints.

A studio that describes itself as inclusive while its pricing prevents some members of the community from participating has left an important barrier in place.

And there is also a business case for removing that barrier.

People who have a disability, together with their families and close relations, represent approximately 53% of the North American consumer market. Studios that remove financial barriers have an opportunity to reach a significant portion of the population that many yoga businesses are not currently serving.

Financial access can advance equity while also expanding who your studio is able to serve.

Practical financial equity strategies

Financial accessibility doesn't have to mean creating a complicated system.

It starts with a decision and a structure.

Sliding scale fees. Offer a range of rates—such as full, standard, and supported pricing. Allow people to choose the rate they can genuinely afford without requiring them to prove eligibility or explain their circumstances.

Pay-what-you-can classes. Designate a regular class as pay-what-you-can. Make it a full class, with the same quality, instructor, and welcoming environment as your other classes.

Energy exchange. Offer students the opportunity to contribute a few hours of work to the studio in exchange for yoga classes. This is a common practice in yoga communities around the world and can provide a meaningful alternative to paying the full class fee. The student contributes; they aren't a recipient of charity.

I know this model personally. When I 'retired' and began building the Centre for Disability Inclusive Yoga, energy exchange was one of the ways I was able to continue practicing yoga.

Community partnerships. Connect with local disability organizations to offer group rates, sponsored spaces, or scholarships. This can build relationships while creating opportunities for people to participate.

None of these approaches requires a major financial investment. They are choices.

Choose one. Put it into practice. Learn from what happens. Then consider what you can do next.

Access includes affordability

Financial access asks you to look beyond whether someone can enter your studio and ask whether they can realistically participate.

If the answer is no because of cost, then cost is an accessibility barrier.

And it is a barrier you can choose to address.

Equity means recognizing the barrier—and doing something about it.

What is one change you could make to your pricing or payment structure in the next 30 days?