Update: COVID-19 and 2020 Trainings

At this time, we are currently anticipating running all of our trainings scheduled throughout the year and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions about these offerings! If any trainings end up being cancelled for any reason, we will let you know as soon as possible and issue full refunds.

30hr Accessible Yoga Training

Friday – Sunday, 9am-5pm | led by Sarah Helt

Join the Accessible Yoga Movement! Learn how to share yoga with all people regardless of ability or background by looking at the essence of the practice, which is by nature accessible. We'll focus on creating Integrated Accessible Yoga classes where all students can practice together. We’ll explore the many ways that yoga can be adapted to suit students with disabilities, physical challenges, as well as seniors.

We'll consider how to make our classes welcoming to everyone, and to approach students in a trauma-informed way. You'll learn sample Accessible Yoga classes, chair yoga classes, and even bed yoga classes. We'll also look at ways of bringing the yoga teachings and meditation into your classes, and how all of yoga can be used to support health and healing for every body. We'll also review common medical conditions so that you have a basic understanding of these issues.

This course includes 21 classroom hours and 9 additional hours of required pre-course homework that is to be completed before the start of the course. Graduates of the program become Accessible Yoga Certified teachers, and connect with a huge network teachers and students around the world dedicated to sharing this ancient practice with everyone. Participants who have completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training will receive 30 Yoga Alliance CE hours (21 contact, 9 non-contact).

You will learn how to:

  • Intelligently sequence chair yoga and bed yoga classes
  • Instruct students practicing different styles (seated, standing, etc) at the same time
  • Bring meditation and the philosophical teachings of yoga into your classes
  • Support health and healing for every body through the yoga practice
This training is best suited for: This program is intended for anyone looking to understand teaching yoga accessibly to all, regardless of mobility and physical ability.

Press

Explore podcasts and articles featuring Jivana Heyman, Accessible Yoga founder, Sarah Helt, Accessible Yoga teacher, and Amber Karnes, Accessible Yoga teacher & board member.

Pricing/Dates/Location/Details:

  • Location: Sangha Studio – South
  • Dates: Fri-Sun, July 24–26, 2020
  • Times: 9am-5pm each day (exact schedule may shift)
  • ​Early Bird Pricing: $595 (until June 24, 2020)
  • Regular Pricing: $650 (after June 24, 2020)
  • Scholarships available, contact Accessible Yoga for more information and the application
  • VSAC non-degree grants accepted
  • Eligible for 21 contact CE credits & 9 non-contact CE credits

Testimonials

I took the training three years ago and it was the starting point of my “yoga career”. I’ve been teaching accessible yoga classes for two years now and Jivana’s training just gave me the perfect foundation for that. In my classes I never feel insecure or unable to cope with my students and that’s thanks to the training! You not only get the chance to learn to teach people with disabilities, you’ll also deepen your own yoga practice – both physically and philosophically. Jivana has a great way to include Patanjali’s Sutras in the training and his warm and inspiring personality has made him a real guru for me. I could just listen to him for hours and hours. So, I’ll definitely recommend to take the training.
​– Katja Sandschneider
I can honestly say, I feel more prepared after this training than I did a whole month in my 200-hour teacher training. I am inspired and have already used so much of what I have learned in teaching and in my personal practice. I can’t thank everyone enough for this transformational and loving training.
​– Anonymous
It’s been just about a year since I took the Accessible Yoga training in NYC, and it has totally changed my outlook on teaching. I look at my students in a completely different way now and interestingly, my class attendance has significantly increased. I was asked to teach a gentle/accessible yoga module in a 300 hr. YTT at the studio where I teach and I’m thrilled to be doing so. Thank you for the incredible work that you do.
​– Stephanie Haberman
​I definitely learned a lot and had a wonderful experience with you and with the class. I think this class changes people’s perspective; what is life and how should we think about life, especially when working with people in a wheelchair. It really touched my heart. I felt that I had to look into myself and see who I am really and what I can offer to other people who need it. I myself came to realize that I am so fortunate to be with those people. For one reason is that seeing them happy and encouraged to live life fully, regardless of their situation.
​– Gabriella Piazza
Accessible Yoga is an international, grassroots, non-profit organization dedicated to sharing yoga with everyone. The mission of our 501(c)3 non-profit organization is to share the benefits of Yoga with anyone, who currently doesn’t have access to yoga practices, especially communities that have been excluded or underserved. These communities may include people of all shapes, sizes or colors. They include people with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, or invisible disabilities such as chronic illness, emotional challenge or PTSD.  They include people with vision or hearing impairments, canes, walkers and wheelchairs. They are young, middle-aged and senior. They live in homes, juvenile halls, jails, or on the street. Our goal is to make any of these people feel welcome in a yoga class, so they can experience the benefits of yoga.

​Accessible Yoga believes that all people, regardless of ability or background, deserve equal access to the ancient teachings of yoga, which offer individual empowerment and spiritual awakening. By building a strong network and advocating for a diverse Yoga culture that is inclusive and welcoming, we are sharing Yoga with all.

About Sarah Helt

Sarah Elizabeth Helt is a 500+ hr RYT. She began working with Accessible Yoga directly following the first Accessible Yoga Conference in 2015. Sarah currently lives in South Pasadena, California where she teaches individualized sessions for people of all ability levels; specializing in spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and persons with neurological difficulties; she also teaches group lead classes at various locations in East LA, and is currently lead teacher at Hot 8 Yoga (Pasadena). She is deeply involved in this, and other, teacher training programs.

​Sarah is inspired by her past in the performing arts to help all teacher find their voice, and by her in-depth study of anatomy to make complicated subjects easier to digest. Sarah is light-hearted and compassionate teacher trainer with a fresh perspective on adaptive asana.

Register for the Training
Sign up through Accessible Yoga on their website AccesibleYogaTraining.org or via the button below!

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