The Invisible Labor Behind Inclusive Programming
Class participants in a wide-legged stance with their arms stretched overhead stand on yoga mats in our studio. Four participants have a folding chair behind their mat.
When people experience an inclusive class that feels calm, welcoming, and well-run, Inclusion isn’t magic.
It’s work.
And it’s work worth doing, together.
When inclusive programs feel calm, welcoming, and well-run, they can look effortless. But what’s often unseen is the labor that makes that experience possible.
Inclusive programming doesn’t happen by accident. It requires intention, preparation, and care that is rarely visible but deeply felt when it’s missing.
What Happens Behind the Scenes
Most people see the hour they’re in the room. What they don’t see is everything that makes that hour possible.
This includes:
Thoughtful program design that accounts for different bodies, nervous systems, and access needs
Curriculum built around choice, consent, and adaptability
Instructor training grounded in trauma-sensitive and disability-centered practices
Ongoing reflection and revision based on feedback
Relationship-building with participants, families, schools, and partners
Administrative work that keeps programs free or low-cost and accessible
Much of this labor happens quietly, but it shapes every moment of the experience.
Adaptation Is Labor
Inclusive instructors are constantly reading the room and responding in real time. They adjust pacing, offer options, invite rest, and support regulation as needs shift.
This work requires presence, emotional intelligence, and experience. It doesn’t always look productive, but it is essential to creating spaces where people feel safe enough to participate.
Sustainability Is an Equity Issue
Inclusive programming cannot rely on invisible, unpaid, or underpaid labor.
At Open Up, we believe sustainability is part of access. Honoring invisible labor means valuing preparation time, investing in training, and building systems that support the people doing the work.
When this labor is recognized and supported, inclusion becomes not just possible, but sustainable.
