Health has more than one appearance
February 3, 2025
Health comes in many shapes and sizes. This isn’t opinion – it’s evidence based.
Mel – February 4th, 2025
Recently we reached out to touch base with a client we hadn’t seen for a few months. They declined returning to classes (which is of course absolutely fine) but included the following in their message:
“i was happy with the studio and welcomed kindly, so it was just a matter of me finding a class where the demographic wasnt so obviously unwell from last few yrs choices because that environment affects me.”
I’m not going to lie. This comment got under my skin.
You see, they clearly aren’t talking about contagious illnesses. Firstly, our clients are conscientious and take zoom classes from home when they’re contagious. But secondly, they’re referring more broadly to ‘an obviously unwell demographic’, which implies most of the people in the room were unwell.
At first I couldn’t understand what they meant. This is an odd thing to say when our demographic reflects the population of the Hills (and most areas!). Some of our members live with chronic illnesses or injuries, most without.
Upon further reflection, I can take an educated guess. The clue is in the words ‘choices from the last few years’. I can only assume they meant that they didn’t want to be near people who have been vaccinated against Covid, as it could somehow impact negatively on their own health.
Obviously this fringe conspiracy theory is too silly to bother dissecting. But that’s not what bothered me. What was really concerning was that this one sentence epitomises everything wrong with the ableist, hyper-individual ‘wellness culture’ that does anything but promote wellness.
There’s multiple harmful assumptions and beliefs about health to consider here.
This person felt that they could look around the room and somehow magically know that most of the people around them were ‘obviously unwell’.
Unless we’re talking about a room of people coughing, spluttering and feverish in a hospital, this just isn’t possible. This view mirrors so many of the inherent but inaccurate biases our society has around bodies and health. Biases like:
Take someone with a naturally high body weight who enjoys regular physical activity, eats a balanced diet, and has excellent metabolic markers like normal blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and blood sugar. Despite societal stereotypes associating a larger body size with poor health, this person could be in great physical and mental health. Studies show that body size alone can’t determine fitness or health, and behaviours like exercise, sleep, and stress management are more reliable indicators.
They also could be in recovery from an eating disorder, and it’s important that they avoid diet behaviours to prevent relapse. Anorexia nervosa is a very common eating disorder with the highest mortality rate of all psychiatric diseases. It kills people. Being a bit heavier is much healthier than starving to death.
On the flip side, that person with a body size that seems ‘normal’ or desirable might be exercising heavily while restricting their food to 1200 or less calories per day (which is how much the average toddler should be eating, by the way). As a result their period has stopped and their bone density is heading into osteoporosis territory.
A person who recently lost weight might be battling cancer, stricken with grief after a loved one died, or have a gastrointestinal disease like Celiac disease, Crohn’s disease, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Health comes in many shapes and sizes. This isn’t opinion – it’s evidence based.
A study published in the European Heart Journal examined the concept of being ‘fit but fat’, indicating that individuals with higher body mass index (BMI) but good cardiorespiratory fitness may have a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases compared to unfit individuals at ‘normal’ weight.
Research discussed in the British Journal of Sports Medicine suggests that fitness levels are more crucial for longevity than body weight alone. The study emphasizes that individuals who are physically active, regardless of their BMI, tend to have better health outcomes.
A 2013 meta-analysis published in JAMA found that individuals in the ‘overweight’ BMI category had a lower all-cause mortality risk compared to those in the ‘normal’ BMI category. This challenges the notion that higher body weight is automatically linked to poor health.
Yes, body fat levels can have an impact on health – but that doesn’t mean someone in a smaller body is automatically healthy, and someone in a bigger body is automatically unhealthy. It’s much more nuanced than that.
This could be due to genetics, allergies, or even lighting. These traits don’t necessarily indicate poor sleep, stress, or health. They could be perfectly rested, stress-free, and in good health overall.
Someone recovering from a temporary illness or injury might appear frail, pale, or tired, but they could be making incredible progress and actually be on a path to improved health.
Suffice to say, the vast majority of the time we can’t decide whether someone is healthy or not based on their appearance alone.
The choices we make in our lives impact on our health, there’s no doubt about that. But we overestimate how much control we have over our health because it’s frankly terrifying to think that a lot of negative health outcomes happen to people who did ‘everything right’. Because if that’s the case, it could happen to ME too, right?
Have you heard of the Social Determinants of Health? They are non-medical factors that influence health outcomes. Things like:
Research shows that these social determinants can be more important than health care or lifestyle choices in influencing health. For example, numerous studies suggest that SDH account for between 30 and 55% of health outcomes.
Potentially, you may only have control over 45% of what contributes to your health. That’s a scary thing, and it’s much more soothing to believe that we always have the power to prevent ill health. But it’s simply not true – and it hugely stigmatises people who are sick.
We pride ourselves on how welcoming, inclusive and accessible our classes are. We give every person permission to take as much or as little as they need in every moment, and we’re able to support those with injuries or chronic illnesses in a way that so many other fitness or wellness establishments don’t.
We LOVE supporting people who need extra support and haven’t been able to get it elsewhere. It fills our cup.
The insinuation that disabled or chronically ill people shouldn’t be around healthy people, or don’t deserve to come to yoga is what bothered me the most. It’s ableist nonsense that implies that healthy people are more pure, valuable and important than unhealthy people, and don’t deserve consideration or access to spaces like healthy people do.
An inclusive, welcoming space such as ours doesn’t welcome people who would so harshly judge those around them solely based on their appearance.
We don’t want or need people in our space who are uncomfortable being near disabled or chronically ill people.
Our clients who practice in a chair are just as valuable as our clients who can handstand.
It doesn’t matter why someone is managing ill health. They’re at yoga to help, and we’re here to help them.
We wouldn’t have it any other way.
Health comes in many shapes and sizes. This isn’t opinion – it’s evidence based.
Guests must comply with the venue guidelines. Any damage to venue property or belongings is the responsibility of the guest.
Guests must be at least 18 years of age to attend the retreat. Guests under 18 who regularly attend classes at Stone’s Throw Yoga may be allowed to attend, provided they are accompanied by a guardian 18+ years old and are approved by Stone’s Throw Yoga prior to booking.
Attendance at the retreat is by approval only and Stone’s Throw Yoga reserves the right to refuse booking to any person for any reason.
We do not offer any refund or credit for arriving late or departing early, missing activities for any reason (including illness), not utilising airport transfers or any part of the scheduled program.
Guests are required to agree to the retreat terms and conditions and retreat waiver on booking.
The schedule of payments for the retreat are as follows. All payments are non-refundable in the case of cancellations.
Failure to make any of the above payments by the due dates may result in forfeiture of your place and payments made.
Payments by credit card incur a 1.70% + A$0.30 service fee. Direct deposit is available at no cost.
Early bird pricing is available until 31st January 2026. Your deposit must be paid prior to this date to claim the early bird pricing.
Due to our commitment to the accommodation and workshop providers, we cannot make any exceptions to our cancellation fees. We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance at the time of booking to cover you in case you need to cancel or miss part of the retreat for any reason, including Covid-19.
Cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]. Your cancellation will take effect as of the day you provide this written notification. All payments made prior to cancellation are non-refundable, however you will not be held liable for any upcoming payments still scheduled.
Alternatively, you may transfer your place and payments to another person (subject to approval by Stone’s Throw Yoga). If you have not paid for the retreat in full at the time of transfer, any outstanding payments owed must be paid by the transferee.
Transfer requests must be made in writing, and are subject to a $50 administrative fee.
We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule the retreat should there be extenuating circumstances beyond our control, including if our minimum number of attendees have not been met.
If the retreat is rescheduled or cancelled for any reason, you will have three options available to you:
Note that we can refund fees paid for our retreat services only. We are not responsible for any cancellation fees to airlines or any other agreements made by guests with outside operators.
We strongly recommend arranging travel insurance that covers medical bills incurred while overseas, and cancellation of your booking by you for any reason.
For twin-share bookings, if one attendee cancels, we reserve the right to place another individual, who you may not know, in their place. Alternatively, you can choose to upgrade to a private room at your own cost.
By booking the retreat, you understand that there are large amounts of free time scheduled, which is rest and recharge time for you and also the retreat organisers. It is up to you to decide how to manage this time for yourself or with the help of the venue’s team.
If you experience any symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19 or similar, we may require you to complete RAT or PCR testing. If you test positive, we will ask you to isolate and not take part in any indoor group activities (practices, meals, outings etc) until you test negative or symptoms subside.
Your retreat cost has the following inclusions:
If you have any concerns during your retreat, please let us know immediately. Your happiness and comfort are important to us. Retreats are held in international locations where infrastructure, health services, safety standards, and cultural expectations may differ from those typically expected in Australia. We’ll do our absolute best to resolve any reasonable issues for you, however we cannot be held responsible for complaints arising from circumstances that are outside our control or that reflect the local standards and conditions of the host country.
Guests who are deemed to be acting in a way that is inappropriate to the local environment, our team, the on-site staff or other guests will be requested to stop. If the inappropriate conduct continues, we may prevent the guest from participating in the retreat activities, and no refund or credit will be provided.
Inappropriate conduct includes but is not limited to verbal abuse, aggressive behaviour and violence, repeatedly disruptive behaviour, consuming excessive alcohol or drugs, sexual harassment or other behaviour deemed inappropriate by our team. It also includes unwelcome behaviour that intimidates, offends or humiliates a person because of a particular personal characteristic such as age, race, gender, disability, religion or sexuality. No refund will be given in this circumstance.
In booking, the guest agrees that photographs and video will be taken during the retreat, which will be used by Stone’s Throw Yoga for promotional and marketing purposes.
Guests must comply with the venue guidelines. Any damage to venue property or belongings is the responsibility of the guest.
Guests must be at least 18 years of age to attend the retreat. Guests under 18 who regularly attend classes at Stone’s Throw Yoga may be allowed to attend, provided they are accompanied by a guardian 18+ years old and are approved by Stone’s Throw Yoga prior to booking.
Attendance at the retreat is by approval only and Stone’s Throw Yoga reserves the right to refuse booking to any person for any reason.
We do not offer any refund or credit for arriving late or departing early, missing activities for any reason (including illness), not utilising airport transfers or any part of the scheduled program.
Guests are required to agree to the retreat terms and conditions and retreat waiver on booking.
The schedule of payments for the retreat are as follows. All payments are non-refundable in the case of cancellations.
Failure to make any of the above payments by the due dates may result in forfeiture of your place and payments made.
Payments by credit card incur a 1.70% + A$0.30 service fee. Direct deposit is available at no cost.
Early bird pricing is available until 31st January 2026. Your deposit must be paid prior to this date to claim the early bird pricing.
Due to our commitment to the accommodation and workshop providers, we cannot make any exceptions to our cancellation fees. We strongly recommend obtaining travel insurance at the time of booking to cover you in case you need to cancel or miss part of the retreat for any reason, including COVID-19.
Cancellations must be made in writing to [email protected]. Your cancellation will take effect as of the day you provide this written notification. All payments made prior to cancellation are non-refundable, however you will not be held liable for any upcoming payments still scheduled.
Alternatively, you may transfer your place and payments to another person. If you have not paid for the retreat in full at the time of transfer, any outstanding payments owed must be paid by the transferee.
Transfer requests must be made in writing, and are subject to a $50 administrative fee.
We reserve the right to cancel or reschedule the retreat should there be extenuating circumstances beyond our control, including if our minimum number of attendees have not been met.
If the retreat is rescheduled or cancelled for any reason, you will have three options available to you:
Note that we can refund fees paid for our retreat services only. We are not responsible for any cancellation fees to airlines or any other agreements made by guests with outside operators.
We strongly recommend arranging travel insurance that covers medical bills incurred while overseas, and cancellation of your booking by you for any reason.
For twin-share bookings, if one attendee cancels, we reserve the right to place another individual, who you may not know, in their place. Alternatively, you can choose to upgrade to a private room at your own cost.
By booking the retreat, you understand that there are large amounts of free time scheduled, which is rest and recharge time for you and also the retreat organisers. It is up to you to decide how to manage this time for yourself or with the help of the venue’s team.
If you experience any symptoms that may be indicative of COVID-19 or similar, we may require you to complete RAT or PCR testing. If you test positive, we will ask you to isolate and not take part in any indoor group activities (practices, meals, outings etc) until you test negative or symptoms subside.
Your retreat cost has the following inclusions:
Note that some of our activities are weather-dependent. If we are unable to engage in any of the above activities, another will be substituted.
If you have any concerns during your retreat, please let us know immediately. Your happiness and comfort is important to us and we’ll do our absolute best to resolve any reasonable issues for you.
Guests who are deemed to be acting in a way that is inappropriate to the local environment, our team, the on-site staff or other guests will be requested to stop. If the inappropriate conduct continues, we may prevent the guest from participating in the retreat activities, and no refund or credit will be provided.
Inappropriate conduct includes but is not limited to verbal abuse, aggressive behaviour and violence, repeatedly disruptive behaviour, consuming excessive alcohol or drugs, sexual harassment or other behaviour deemed inappropriate by our team. It also includes unwelcome behaviour that intimidates, offends or humiliates a person because of a particular personal characteristic such as age, race, gender, disability, religion or sexuality. No refund will be given in this circumstance.
In booking, the guest agrees that photographs and video will be taken during the retreat, which will be used by Stone’s Throw Yoga for promotional and marketing purposes.