Pride Month, Inclusion and Seeing the Whole Person Through Yoga Therapy.

Pride Month is a time to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community, recognise the progress that has been made towards equality, and acknowledge that for many people, the freedom to simply be themselves is still not guaranteed. Whilst attitudes have changed significantly over the years, discrimination, prejudice and exclusion continue to affect the lives of many LGBTQ+ people. Pride is not just a celebration; it is a reminder that visibility matters, that representation matters, and that every person deserves to live authentically without fear of judgement.

My understanding of pronouns and their importance deepened through my own therapy trainings and with organisations like Samaritans and Shout. Through all, I learned more about the experiences of people whose identities are often misunderstood or not affirmed, and how something as simple as using the correct pronouns can contribute to someone feeling seen, respected and safe. With that learning, I chose to include she/her in my email signature. For me, it was not a statement about identity, but a quiet act of inclusion and an acknowledgement that we cannot assume how someone identifies.

Over time, I became aware that not everyone resonates with the use of pronouns, and that even small acts of inclusion can sometimes create discomfort or disengagement for others. That experience stayed with me, not because it was unkind, but because it highlighted how differently we can experience something that is intended to be welcoming. It reminded me that conversations around identity, belonging and acceptance are still very much needed, and that stigma is often not loud or obvious, but subtle and woven into everyday interactions.

In my work as a Yoga Therapist, I see the impact of stigma and shame regularly. Whilst these experiences vary from person to person, there are often shared threads. I meet people carrying shame about their bodies, their health conditions, their mental wellbeing, their age, their perceived limitations, or their sense of not fitting into expectations placed upon them by society. Alongside this, I also meet people who experience gender dysphoria or who are still exploring and understanding their own identity and who they are. What often sits underneath these different experiences is a deeper question of whether it is safe to be fully seen and accepted.

Yoga Therapy continually brings me back to the understanding that every person is more than any single label or experience. We are not defined solely by diagnosis, gender, sexuality, age, role or circumstance. We are complex, layered human beings with unique histories, inner worlds and lived experiences. When we reduce people to a single aspect of who they are, we lose sight of their wholeness. When we meet people with curiosity rather than assumption, something begins to soften.

This is one of the reasons I feel so strongly about creating inclusive, accessible, non-judgemental and compassionate spaces. In my sessions, my intention is always to offer a space where people do not need to explain themselves or fit into a particular mould in order to belong. A space where they can arrive exactly as they are, with whatever they are carrying that day, and feel met with warmth rather than judgement.

I continue to learn through listening, through training, and through the people I have the privilege of working with. I believe that if stigma, prejudice and misunderstanding are still being experienced in the world, then it matters that we continue these conversations with openness, respect and care.

I feel incredibly fortunate that the people who come to my classes, retreats and wellbeing sessions are kind, open and compassionate. There is a quiet strength in the communities that form when people come together with a shared intention to support wellbeing without judgement. That sense of safety and acceptance is something I never take for granted.

For me, Pride Month is ultimately about belonging. It is about recognising the ways stigma and shame can show up in subtle but powerful ways, and choosing instead to meet ourselves and others with compassion. It is about creating spaces where people do not have to hide parts of themselves in order to be accepted. Through Yoga Therapy, I am continually reminded that when we see the whole person, rather than an assumption or label, we create the conditions for genuine connection, healing and understanding. That feels like a practice worth returning to, not just in June, but in every part of life.

Resources & Support

If you would like to learn more or access support, whether you are exploring your identity, supporting someone else, or simply wishing to learn more in a compassionate and informed way. the following organisations offer information, guidance and help:

Stonewall – https://www.stonewall.org.uk

MindOut (LGBTQ+ mental health support) – https://mindout.org.uk

Mermaids (support for gender-diverse children, young people and families) – https://mermaidsuk.org.uk

Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline – https://switchboard.lgbt

LGBT Foundation – https://lgbt.foundation

Gendered Intelligence – https://genderedintelligence.co.uk

Samaritans – https://www.samaritans.org

Shout (text support service) – https://giveusashout.org

Naomi Hurst (she/her)