Quiz: Can You Think Like a Yoga Therapist? The Asana Edition

The Yoga Therapy Institute August 19, 2026

Most of us in the yoga profession learn asana by their names. We learn how yoga poses look, how they're traditionally taught, and perhaps even how they're supposed to make us feel.

Yoga Therapists take a slightly different approach. Rather than starting with the pose, we start with the person. The question is no longer "What does this pose do?" but "Who is this pose for?"

A posture that feels wonderful for one person may feel uncomfortable, unhelpful or even contraindicated for another. Understanding when to adapt, modify or avoid a practice altogether is one of the key skills that distinguishes Yoga Therapy from general yoga teaching.

So, how therapeutically do you think?

Take our free Yoga Therapy Asana Quiz and see how many common assumptions about yoga poses, contraindications and adaptations stand up to closer scrutiny when viewed through a therapeutic lens.

Question 1

True or False?
Touching your toes is a useful goal for most people.

Reveal answer

It's false.

In Yoga Therapy, touching your toes is not considered a goal in itself. The aim is not to achieve a particular shape but to help somebody move with greater ease and less discomfort. For some people, pursuing a deeper forward fold can even contribute to problems around the sacroiliac (SI) joint. Forward folds are also contraindicated for high blood pressure. The question is never "How far can you go?" but "Is this movement serving the person in front of you?"

Question 2

True or False?
Standing postures are always grounding.

Reveal answer

It's false.

Standing postures are often described as grounding, but people do not all experience them in the same way. One person may feel stable and energised. Another may feel anxious, agitated, fatigued or even dizzy. In Yoga Therapy, we pay attention to what the client actually experiences rather than assuming a posture will create a particular effect.

Question 3

A client with osteoporosis wants to improve their flexibility. Which of the following would require the greatest caution?

Gentle shoulder rolls
Supported Tadasana
Deep forward fold
Gentle standing movements

Reveal answer

C. Deep forward fold.

Many people are surprised by this. Forward bends are often seen as gentle and accessible, but spinal flexion is one of the main contraindications for people with osteoporosis because it can increase the risk of vertebral fracture. A therapeutic approach would explore safer alternatives that encourage movement without placing unnecessary stress on the spine.

Question 4

A client arrives feeling physically and emotionally exhausted after months of burnout. Which practice might require the most careful consideration?

Gentle standing movements
Supported seated breathing
Chair-supported relaxation
Supported restorative practice

Reveal answer

A. Gentle standing movements.

The word "gentle" can make a practice sound universally appropriate, but even relatively gentle movement may be too stimulating for someone experiencing profound exhaustion. The most therapeutic approach depends on the person in front of you, not the name of the practice.

Question 5

True or False?
Śavāsana is relaxing for everyone.

Reveal answer

It's false.

For some people, particularly those living with trauma, anxiety or burnout, lying down and turning attention inward can feel surprisingly uncomfortable. Rather than forcing relaxation, Yoga Therapists look for positions and practices that feel safe enough for the individual nervous system to settle.

Question 6

True or False?
Easy Pose (Sukhasana) is so-called because it's an easy position for most people.

Reveal answer

It's false.

Its name can be misleading. Sitting cross-legged can be difficult for many people due to tight hips, knee issues, reduced mobility, back pain or simply the realities of modern life. In Yoga Therapy, we do not assume that sitting on the floor is accessible, comfortable or therapeutic.

Question 7

Which of these clients might struggle with a dynamic standing warm-up sequence?

Someone recovering from illness
Someone experiencing balance difficulties
Someone with heavy menstruation
All of the above

Reveal answer

D. All of the above.

Dynamic standing movements can be uplifting and enjoyable, but they are not suitable for everyone. Factors such as illness, balance issues, fatigue, heavy menstruation, neuropathy, low blood pressure and other health concerns may all influence whether the practice is appropriate.

Question 8

A client with a herniated disc is struggling to find a comfortable position. Which option might be worth exploring?

Deep seated forward fold
Hands and knees
Long-held standing balance work
Deep spinal twists

Reveal answer

B. Hands and knees.

Many people with back pain find all fours surprisingly comfortable. This position can create a sense of space and support through the spine. In pregnancy it can also relieve pressure through the pelvis, making it one of the most versatile positions available to a Yoga Therapist.

Question 9

True or False?
The therapist's job is to help the client achieve the correct version of a pose.

Reveal answer

It's false.

In Yoga Therapy, the pose is adapted to the person – never the other way around. The goal is not to fit people into an idealised shape. The goal is to find a version of the practice that supports the client's health, needs and lived experience.

Question 10

A client is recovering from chemotherapy and experiencing significant fatigue. Which practice might be most appropriate?

Repeated standing balances
Dynamic arm raises
Standing on bricks with arms overhead
A restorative practice with the upper body elevated

Reveal answer

D. A restorative practice with the upper body elevated.

Significant fatigue following chemotherapy may mean that even relatively simple standing practices require more energy than is appropriate at that moment. A restorative practice with the upper body elevated offers greater physical support while still allowing the practice to be adapted to the individual’s needs and energy levels..

How Did You Do?

0–3 correct: As you've probably discovered, Yoga Therapy isn't really about memorising poses. It's about understanding people. The same posture can have very different effects depending on someone's health, energy levels, life stage, symptoms and goals. In Yoga Therapy, we learn to move beyond the idea that there is a single "best" practice and instead ask what is most appropriate for the individual in front of us. This shift in perspective sits at the heart of Yoga Therapy Foundation, where students begin learning how to assess, adapt and personalise practices in a safe and meaningful way.

4–7 correct: You're already looking beyond the shape of the pose and beginning to consider the individual practising it. That's a significant shift, because therapeutic thinking is less about perfect alignment and more about understanding how a practice is experienced by a real person with unique needs, limitations and strengths. Whether you're a yoga teacher looking to deepen your understanding or simply curious about a more personalised approach to yoga, you're already starting to think in a way that is central to Yoga Therapy. If you'd like to explore these ideas further,Yoga Therapy Foundation or our Applications of Asana, Pranayama and Restorative Yoga module would be a natural next step.

8–10 correct: You're thinking like a Yoga Therapist – recognising that context, adaptation and observation matter just as much as the posture itself. Rather than asking, "What is the correct pose?", you're asking, "What is the most appropriate practice for this person at this moment?" That mindset lies at the heart of Yoga Therapy and underpins everything from assessment and programme design to the way we work with long-term health conditions. If these questions sparked your interest, you'll find many more opportunities to explore them in Yoga Therapy Foundation and in our Applications of Asana, Pranayama and Restorative Yoga module, where we look in much greater depth at how practices can be adapted to support a wide range of people and presentations.