Finding the Right Nest -A Incontinent Yogi’s Guide to Choosing a Studio That Sees You

 

There’s a difference between being welcomed and being marketed to.

When you wear diapers—because of incontinence, disability, trauma, or even personal choice—walking into a yoga studio isn’t always simple. You carry more than a mat and a water bottle. You carry your story.

And what you need from that studio isn’t just clean floors or a good playlist. You need to feel safe. You need to feel seen.

Today, I visited a few studios near me. One was sleek and polished, with all the commercial trimmings. The other was warm, soft, and smelled like lavender and real people. Guess which one felt like home?

🌸 What People Like Us Actually Need

When your body crinkles with every stretch and shift, when you may need a backup diaper in your tote or a quiet place to change after class… yoga becomes more than just a wellness practice.

It becomes a vulnerable act.

So here’s what people like us need—not in theory, but in truth:

·         Kindness, not performance

·         Presence, not polish

·         A teacher who can say, “We’re glad you’re here” and mean it

·         A space that doesn’t feel like a showroom—it feels like a nest

✅ How to Tell if a Studio Is a Nest

Not all yoga studios are built the same. Some are built for brands. Others are built for bodies—especially soft, crinkly, curvy, imperfect, healing bodies like ours.

Here’s how I tell the difference:

🚩 Showroom Studios (Red Flags):

·         The first thing you hear is about the pricing tiers

·         Everything smells like retail packaging instead of essential oils

·         No one asks how your body feels—they just ask how you’re paying

·         You feel like a customer, not a human

🌿 Nest Studios (Green Flags):

·         Warm lighting, soft music, and smells that say someone prepared this space with care

·         Staff who stop to talk, laugh with you, and actually listen

·         Instructors who know about pelvic floor health, mobility, chronic pain—or are curious enough to learn

·         You’re invited to show up as you are, diapers and all

When I told the woman at one studio that I wear diapers 24/7, she didn’t blink. She smiled and said, “No one cares if you crinkle in class.” And I believed her. That’s how I knew I was in the right place.

💬 Advice for Studio Owners and Instructors

You never know who’s walking through your door. Not every wound is visible. Not every vulnerability is loud. But if you want to be a truly welcoming space for everybody, here are a few ways to do that:

Normalize invisible needs. Include language in your welcome packet like:

“If you have specific comfort needs, please let us know. We’re happy to support you privately.”

Train your teachers in basic awareness of pelvic floor health, disability-friendly cues, and how to hold space gently.

Create a vibe that feels lived-in, not showroom-ready. Essential oils, tea lights, and soft voices matter more than exposed brick and logos.

And when someone says, “I’m a little nervous—I wear protection,”

say,

“We’re really glad you’re here. You’re welcome just as you are.”

You have no idea how powerful that moment could be for someone.

💗 Closing: You Deserve a Nest

If you’re reading this and you wear diapers… if your body needs more support than you think yoga spaces can give… if you’re afraid to show up for yourself because you’ve felt invisible before—please hear me:

You don’t need to be polished.

You don’t need to be petite.

You don’t need to apologize for what your body needs.

You deserve a yoga space that feels like a nest.

You deserve to stretch and crinkle and rest and belong.

And one day soon, you’ll find it.

Someone already lit a candle for you. 🕯️

So, who did I choose,

I chose SAMA Studio in my area because from the moment I stepped inside, it felt like more than a studio—it felt like a nest. The air was calm, the essential oils lingered like a hug, and the people didn’t just see me as a customer—they saw me as a person. Brenn’s warmth, the kindness of the staff, and the way no one flinched at my softness, or my needs told me: this is a space where I can grow. Not just stretch or sweat—but soften, release, and restore. And that’s what I need most.”

Alice in Yoga Pants

#AliceInYogaPants #ProudlyPadded #SoftlyConfident #SelfAcceptance #DiaperedYoga #VisibleHealing #SoftnessIsStrength #PelvicFloorHealing #YogaForIncontinence