Yoga for People Who Use Wheelchairs & Mobility Devices: An Overview of Our June Programs

June 2022 Programs: Yoga for People Who Use Wheelchairs & Mobility Devices

Exploring Asana In My Wheelchair

An Asana Class with Cherie Hotchkiss

Monday, June 13th, 2022

3-4 pm PST (Los Angeles)
6-7 pm EST (New York)

Closed captions & replay available for registrants.

People who use wheelchairs, for a better quality of life, can practice asana in their wheelchair, along with the other limbs of yoga. Obviously, there are specific issues not covered in a traditional yoga certification. This class, appropriate for wheelchair users as well as teachers who share classes for this population, or would like to, will include wheelchair etiquette, safety, a 45 minute asana practice in a wheelchair and time for questions.

Yoga instructors who have never used a wheelchair, and invite people who do use wheelchairs to their classes, are encouraged to rent a wheelchair to experience this unique practice for themselves.

Recommended props: ideally a wheelchair (can be rented for a day from a durable medical equipment store) or two stationary chairs, preferably without arms. 2 blocks and/or large bolster. 1 or 2 blankets. Second rolled yoga mat or same size bolster.

Learn More & Register >>

Teaching Accessible, Adaptive and Inclusive Yoga Classes for Wheelchair Users

A Workshop with Rodrigo Souza

Wednesday, June 22nd, 2022

9-10:30 am Pacific (Los Angeles)
12-1:30 pm Eastern (New York)

Closed captions & replay available for registrants.

According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, Mobility is the most common disability, affecting 1 in 7 US adults, that is 14.29% of the population. Yes, I know! That’s a lot of folks!

In this 90-minute online workshop, we will broadly walk (or roll!) you through the journey of; Yoga and the Nature of Disability, Common Neurological Conditions, Adaptive Yoga, Ableism & Inclusive Language, Basic Safety Considerations and Teaching Tips.

You will also learn the benefits of Adaptive Yoga, how to teach wheelchair users and how to design an inclusive and accessible class; how to sequence, chair yoga variations, inner awareness, language, and how to truly create a welcoming experience and space when a wheelchair user student comes to your class.

If you would like to make your offerings more accessible to this population, join us!

Recommended props: This Workshop will be predominantly lecture-style, so please bring a note-book and pen, or device for note-taking, some water, and a sturdy chair, or your wheelchair.

Learn More & Register >>

Community Forum: Yoga for People Who Use Wheelchairs & Mobility Devices

A Panel Discussion and Mixer Featuring Nina Boswell Brown, Maria Aroch & Christy Parker, hosted by Sunny Barbee

Thursday, June 28th, 2022

11:30 am-1:30 pm PST (Los Angeles)
2:30-4:30 pm EST (New York)

Closed captions & replay available for registrants.

This month, join experienced accessible yoga teachers Nina Boswell-Brown, Maria Aroch, and Christy Parker, along with host Jacquie “Sunny” Barbee, for a Community Forum discussing yoga for people who use wheelchairs and other mobility devices. Presenters will share from positions of personal experience practicing yoga in partnership with their own mobility devices, as well as from professional experience teaching students with various mobility disabilities. They will address specific considerations and varying needs for those who use wheelchairs, the benefits and challenges of various accessible yoga class structures, and how to emphasize and utilize the breadth and bounty of yogic practices for every body and ability.

The panel discussion will last 90 minutes, including some time for audience questions. Participants are invited to stick around after the panel concludes for a 30-minute social mixer and networking session, with the option to share their own experiences and meet other community members whose work centers whose who use wheelchairs and mobility devices.

Learn More & Register >>

Please Help Accessible Yoga Access Grant Funding!

Most grant applications require organizations to submit demographic information about the communities they serve. You can help Accessible Yoga access grant funding and keep our programs running and expanding by responding to this short, anonymous demographic survey! Thank you in advance for your responses.

Take the Survey >>