Episode 91 - Part 2, Teaching Yoga without Forcing Bodies with Donna Noble
Fri Jan 23 2026
In part two of our conversation, Donna Noble and Hannah explore what it really means to practise and teach yoga in a way that supports comfort, safety and confidence over performance or appearance.
We talk about how different bodies experience the same pose in completely different ways, why cues are never neutral, and how teaching without curiosity can quietly erode trust. Donna reflects on learning to work with sensation rather than against it, and how this shift changed not only her practice but her understanding of what yoga is for.
This episode invites teachers and long term practitioners to consider responsibility, choice and the impact of language in yoga spaces. It’s a conversation about creating environments where people feel supported to stay, rather than pushed to fit.
A grounded, honest listen for anyone interested in yoga that feels good, not forced.
About Donna
Donna Noble is an author, and speaker on body positivity, diversity and inclusion, social justice, wellbeing and Yoga.
Donna’s personal mission has always been to improve diversity and inclusion in the Yoga and wellbeing space and within corporate environments, whilst also championing health and wellbeing for everyone.
Donna continually works towards making a difference and leaving behind a legacy of greater diversity and inclusion.
Donna shares her passion for promoting health and wellbeing and creating inclusive spaces within the yoga and wellbeing industry in a light-hearted and accessible way. She was also one of the original co-creators of the UK’s first Black Fitness Festival in 2020
Donna has delivered numerous workshops, at conferences and for various organisations on diversity inclusion, social justice and body positivity. Donna also shares her lived experience and uses this to help others understand the experiences of others.
Donna works with companies that are focused on creating healthy inclusive cultures, by supporting them to understand the power of their voice and how it can be used to help create diversity.
Learn more about Donna at her website, her Instagram and buy her book; Teaching Body Positive Yoga.
About Alba Yoga Academy
Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy
Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here.
Watch our extensive library of YouTube videos.
Follow Hannah on Instagram.
Follow Celest on Instagram
More
In part two of our conversation, Donna Noble and Hannah explore what it really means to practise and teach yoga in a way that supports comfort, safety and confidence over performance or appearance. We talk about how different bodies experience the same pose in completely different ways, why cues are never neutral, and how teaching without curiosity can quietly erode trust. Donna reflects on learning to work with sensation rather than against it, and how this shift changed not only her practice but her understanding of what yoga is for. This episode invites teachers and long term practitioners to consider responsibility, choice and the impact of language in yoga spaces. It’s a conversation about creating environments where people feel supported to stay, rather than pushed to fit. A grounded, honest listen for anyone interested in yoga that feels good, not forced. About Donna Donna Noble is an author, and speaker on body positivity, diversity and inclusion, social justice, wellbeing and Yoga. Donna’s personal mission has always been to improve diversity and inclusion in the Yoga and wellbeing space and within corporate environments, whilst also championing health and wellbeing for everyone. Donna continually works towards making a difference and leaving behind a legacy of greater diversity and inclusion. Donna shares her passion for promoting health and wellbeing and creating inclusive spaces within the yoga and wellbeing industry in a light-hearted and accessible way. She was also one of the original co-creators of the UK’s first Black Fitness Festival in 2020 Donna has delivered numerous workshops, at conferences and for various organisations on diversity inclusion, social justice and body positivity. Donna also shares her lived experience and uses this to help others understand the experiences of others. Donna works with companies that are focused on creating healthy inclusive cultures, by supporting them to understand the power of their voice and how it can be used to help create diversity. Learn more about Donna at her website, her Instagram and buy her book; Teaching Body Positive Yoga. About Alba Yoga Academy Learn more with Alba Yoga Academy Learn more about our Yoga Teacher Training here. Watch our extensive library of YouTube videos. Follow Hannah on Instagram. Follow Celest on Instagram