YMCA Exercise Modifications & Progressions 3

Question 1

A student with osteoporosis wants to practice yoga. Which category of poses should be avoided or modified with the greatest caution?

Accepted Answer

Deep spinal flexion poses such as full forward folds with rounding

Answer

Deep spinal flexion places compressive and shear forces on vertebrae that are already at risk for fracture in individuals with osteoporosis.

Question 2

When teaching Chair Pose (Utkatasana) to a student with knee pain, which modification most reduces knee joint stress?

Accepted Answer

Reduce the depth of the squat so thighs are above parallel

Answer

Reducing squat depth keeps the knee angle wider, significantly decreasing the compressive and shear forces on the knee joint.

Question 3

Which of the following represents a regression (easier modification) of Crow Pose (Bakasana) for a beginner?

Accepted Answer

Both A and C are valid regressions

Answer

Raising the feet on a block and lifting one foot at a time both reduce the balance demand and build the arm strength needed for full Crow Pose.

Question 4

A student reports lower back discomfort during Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana). Which cue is most likely to relieve the issue?

Accepted Answer

Walk the feet closer to the hips and engage the glutes and hamstrings more actively

Answer

Feet too far from the hips cause the hamstrings to disengage, shifting the work into the lumbar extensors and creating back compression.

Question 5

How should a yoga instructor progress a student's headstand (Sirsasana) practice safely?

Accepted Answer

Dolphin Pose → headstand with wall support → free-standing headstand

Answer

Dolphin builds the necessary shoulder and core strength; wall support then allows the student to experience the full inversion with safety before going freestanding.

(YMCA) Young Men's Christian Association Yoga Certification Practice Test

(YMCA) Young Men's Christian Association Yoga Certification Practice Test

YMCA Exercise Modifications & Progressions 3