If you missed our Accessible Yoga Conference Online 2022, don't worry!

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Conference Schedule

Plan your weekend with us! 

Friday 11:30am-5pm PT // Saturday 8am-6:45pm PT // Sunday 8am-5:30pm PT
Friday Oct 14th
Saturday Oct 15th
Sunday Oct 16th
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Friday, October 14

All times are shown in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT). Find your time zone here.

Live Sessions will be recorded and available to watch on-demand within 48 hours.

Panel

Pre-Conference Intensive: Beyond Inclusivity: Making Yoga Truly Accessible

Ryan McGraw, Natalia Tabilo, Donna Noble & Matthew Sanford, hosted by Jivana Heyman

11:30am - 2:30pm

11:30am - 2:30pm

Pre-Conference Intensive: Beyond Inclusivity: Making Yoga Truly Accessible

Ryan McGraw, Natalia Tabilo, Donna Noble & Matthew Sanford, hosted by Jivana Heyman

Inclusivity is a term that implies that one group holds the power, and they are generous enough to invite marginalized people to join them. But that doesn’t represent the shift in power dynamics that we need to make in order to build communities that are truly accessible and equitable.

In this 3-hour session, this diverse panel of yoga teachers with disabilities will discuss how to move our teaching beyond catchphrases and good intentions to making real change. Our panel will share their personal experiences, as well as their experiences teaching yoga, in an effort to unpack the ways that we can make our teaching truly accessible and welcoming. 

Each panelist will also lead a short practice to demonstrate a variety of ways to make yoga available to all of your students. We’ll end with a Q&A so that attendees will have a chance to engage with the panelists and get their questions answered. 

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Welcome

Opening Night Welcome

Hosted by Anjali Rao & Jivana Heyman

3:00pm - 3:30pm

3:00pm - 3:30pm

Opening Night Welcome

Hosted by Anjali Rao & Jivana Heyman

Our Conference will officially kick-off with a welcome from Anjali Rao, Board President, and Jivana Heyman, Executive Director.

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Keynote Address

Opening Night Keynote: The Audacity of Hope for Yoga

Tejal Patel

3:30pm - 4:30pm

3:30pm - 4:30pm

Opening Night Keynote: The Audacity of Hope for Yoga

Tejal Patel

In this inspiring address, be reminded of yoga’s true intention: to create more space for each individual to simply be. Tejal offers the story and vision of Tejal Yoga while touching on yoga’s journey to the West, for a side by side comparison to how each individual’s path inevitably takes twists and turns while working towards healing. Reaffirm your goal for yoga’s teachings to be the way towards community spaces and community care.

Bring an open heart and an inquiring mind.

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Entertainment

Opening Night Party

Hosted by Amber Karnes

4:30pm - 5:00pm

4:30pm - 5:00pm

Opening Night Party

Hosted by Amber Karnes

Our opening night party will be a chance to celebrate our community with a special DJ dance party hosted by Amber Karnes.

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Saturday, October 15

All times are shown in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)Find your time zone here.

Live Sessions will be recorded and available to watch on-demand within 48 hours. 

Keynote Address

Keynote: Audacious Belonging to Me, We and Spirit

Chetna Mehta

8:00am - 9:00am

8:00am - 9:00am

Keynote: Audacious Belonging to Me, We and Spirit

Chetna Mehta

Through mindful compassion, somatic awareness and emotional intelligence, we explore portals in the body to remembering our common humanity and inextricable connection to the collective.

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Panel

Panel: Soul Care & Spirituality - Yoga in the Black Community

Amina Naru, Wambui Njuguna-Räisänen, Sara Clark & Kwasi Boaitey

9:15am - 10:45am

9:15am - 10:45am

Panel: Soul Care & Spirituality - Yoga in the Black Community

Amina Naru, Wambui Njuguna-Räisänen, Sara Clark & Kwasi Boaitey

In this panel we will discuss how yoga has impacted the black community, the challenges and strategies needed to uplift the the spirit of Ubuntu, Moving from me to we, and the importance of black folks healing in togetherness. 

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Led Practice

Yin Yoga for the Overburdened Soul + Yoga Nidra

Tamika Caston-Miller

10:30am - 11:45am

10:30am - 11:45am

Yin Yoga for the Overburdened Soul + Yoga Nidra

Tamika Caston-Miller

Some of us have had to develop resilience because of living life with a larger share of marginalization. While Yin Yoga develops resilience, this workshop will remind you of yours as you intentionally stress the body with agency and options. Explore your edge in a variety of shapes and utilize your resources to remain in them for time to unlock all of the pockets of joy in the body. During an extended savasana, you will go beyond the physical practice and into deep rest as you are guided through a blissful yoga nidra.

Access to a wall or sofa, 1-2 blankets, blocks, a strap or towel, and a bolster will be quite useful for this session.

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Meet & Greet

Meet and Greet with Anjali Rai, Jivana Heyman, and members of the AYA Board of Directors

12:00pm - 1:00pm

12:00pm - 1:00pm

Meet and Greet with Anjali Rai, Jivana Heyman, and members of the AYA Board of Directors

This Meet & Greet will be hosted by Anjali Rao and Jivana Heyman and members of the AYA Board of Directors. There will be a chance for you connect with other conference participants and ask questions and learn more about AYA's leadership, vision, and how the board operates.

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Canceled due to Emergency

LGBTQIA+ Centered Yoga

Gabi Parkham

LGBTQIA+ Centered Yoga

Gabi Parkham


This live session is canceled due to an emergency - we will follow up with more information once available. 


Most yoga classes centre the needs of cisgender and heterosexual people but in this class we’re going to flip that on its head!

In Gabi’s life, every day and every yoga class is a Pride celebration. Let’s come together to joyful move our bodies in a way that feels good, as a celebration of the LGBTQIA+ community and everything queer.

There are no “straight” lines, our curves and edges are the focus for this creative, flowing practice. We will begin to move past the awareness of us and them, and get in touch with everything that connects us. Unfortunately, we still live in a homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic world which teaches us that our bodies and lives must conform to the norms and expectations of a racist, patriarchal, misogynistic, and ableist society. Using movement, breath, and rest, to celebrate our beautifully queer, curvy, disabled, non-conformist bodies, is a radical act.

This class centres the needs and experiences of LGBTQIA+ people but everyone is welcomed in to share a few moments of this fabulous queer life. You can do as much or as little of the physical practice as you want or just lie down and drink in the celebrations around you.

Recommended props for this session: Chair, block, and strap for the practice and anything that is going to make you super comfy in savasana

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Panel

Panel: Mindfulness & Disruption

Reggie Hubbard, Harpinder Kaur Mann, Rose Felix Cratsley & Ekta Hattangady

1:30pm - 3:00pm

1:30pm - 3:00pm

Panel: Mindfulness & Disruption

Reggie Hubbard, Harpinder Kaur Mann, Rose Felix Cratsley & Ekta Hattangady

We tend to think of yogic and meditative practice as keys to making us more comfortable. But in reality, mindful practices are essentially disruptive opportunities for us to be more conscious of our thoughts, attachments, emotions and behaviors and choose how we respond with more courage, compassion and confidence.

Join us for a discussion where we explore the ways we can embrace disruption for the gift that it is, individually and collectively, and move closer to bringing more justice, love, consciousness and healing to our world.

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Workshop

Braiding Knowledge: Trauma informed Yoga for Indigenous Peoples

Jessica Barudin

2:45pm - 4:00pm

2:45pm - 4:00pm

Braiding Knowledge: Trauma informed Yoga for Indigenous Peoples

Jessica Barudin

Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw Doctoral researcher, Jessica Barudin shares her experiences developing a unique program alongside community partners, knowledge keepers, yogis, artists, and scholars that integrates yogic and Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw knowledge to contribute to First Nations women’s toolkit of grounding and body-based practices to promote healing and wellness. Through the research-making phase, the First Nations Women’s Yoga initiative (FNWYI) was created, an Indigenous community, collective, or organization (ICCO) in partnership with Kwakwa̱ka̱ʼwakw communities, the Yoga Outreach Society, and the student researcher. The FNWYI goal is to prepare First Nations women and two-spirit people to practice and offer culturally-rooted yoga programs in their communities. Along with an 80-hour trauma-informed yoga curriculum and virtual training, Jessica will share how working with fluent speakers and knowledge keepers is supporting embodied language learning through the practice of yoga and meditation. Join this discussion to experience a Kwak'wala mindfulness practice and understand the importance for First Nations women to see and experience themselves, their value, and their cultures and languages represented in an accessible and safe community approaches to wellness.

For this session we recommend having: a notebook & pen or device for note-taking, a candle, and water.

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POSTPONED

Meet and Greet with the AYA Board of Directors

3:00pm - 4:00pm

3:00pm - 4:00pm

Meet and Greet with the AYA Board of Directors

Session will be rescheduled in the coming weeks in the AYA Community. Dates and more information to come! 

This special Meet & Greet is an opportunity to meet the members of the Accessible Yoga Association Board of Directors. There will be a chance for you to ask questions and learn more about how the board operates, as well as future plans.

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Keynote Address

Keynote: Moving from Me to We

R. Nikki Myers

4:15pm - 5:15pm

4:15pm - 5:15pm

Keynote: Moving from Me to We

R. Nikki Myers

One of the key messages of The Vedas, the largest and most ancient body of ancient scripture, is transmitted in the first and last mantras of this enormous text.

The first mantra of the Rig Veda tells us to meditate on the fire (agni) as the energy that allows us to wake up, move, shake off dullness and/or inertia. This scripture encourages us to ignite the fire of motivation and courage within to become a complete and whole human being.

The last mantra of the Atharva Veda reminds us that our individual liberation is inextricably tied to collective liberation. It invites us to recall that once we’ve ignited and cultivated our own inner fire, then what we must do is offer ourselves in the service of humanity.

This talk will explore what it means to courageously ignite and continuously attend to our own inner fire AND how we humbly and sustainably offer ourselves in service of a society that is equal, just, safe, resourced and peaceful for all.

For this session we recommend having any props that will support you to sit comfortably and to at some point enter a meditative practice.

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Led Practice

Soft and Slow Micro Flow

Jessica Rihal

5:30pm - 6:45pm

5:30pm - 6:45pm

Soft and Slow Micro Flow

Jessica Rihal

This accessible Hatha class will focus on slow and short movement with a big impact to release tension and build body awareness.

Through soft gentle movements, we will work to expel tension in the neck, wrists, shoulders and ankles.

Recommended props: 2 blocks, a strap (or something that can be used as a strap), and a blanket

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Sunday, October 16

All times are shown in Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)Find your time zone here.

Live Sessions will be recorded and available to watch on-demand within 48 hours. Community Networking Sessions will not be recorded.

Led Practice

Yoga for Collective Care and Connection

Laura Burns

8:00am - 9:15am

8:00am - 9:15am

Yoga for Collective Care and Connection

Laura Burns

Practicing the foundations of collective care, this 1-hour class will give participants the opportunity to hold space for each other and find connection, support, and community. Together we will offer up our needs and support through energy work, movement, and meditation. The practice will include reclined, seated, and standing/seated chair postures and movement with lots of support and options to meet your body where it is. This class builds on our innate desire to connect and support each other, and especially is helpful in times where in-person connection is not possible.

Recommended props: Blocks, blanket(s), chair, strap - and anything they need to feel comfortable and supported in reclined, seated, and standing or seated chair postures.  

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Led Practice

Chair Yoga

Karen James

9:30am - 10:45am

9:30am - 10:45am

Chair Yoga

Karen James

A seated yoga experience. Unique and subtle movements to suit the body you are in. Creativity on a chair adding your own personal flair.

A slow sequence where you have the opportunity to utilise support such as yoga blocks, shoe boxes or sturdy books to compliment your journey.

Suitable for people who wish to explore yoga on a chair.

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POSTPONED

Meet and Greet with the AYA Board of Directors

9:30am - 10:30am

9:30am - 10:30am

Meet and Greet with the AYA Board of Directors

Session will be rescheduled in the coming weeks in the AYA Community. Dates and more information to come! 

This special Meet & Greet is an opportunity to meet the members of the Accessible Yoga Association Board of Directors. There will be a chance for you to ask questions and learn more about how the board operates, as well as future plans.

Learn More & Register
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Keynote

Keynote: Practice Isn’t Meant to “Fix,” It’s Meant to Heal

Teo Drake

11:00am - 12:00pm

11:00am - 12:00pm

Keynote: Practice Isn’t Meant to “Fix,” It’s Meant to Heal

Teo Drake

The stated or unstated goal of mainstream Western conceptions of yoga and related practices is so often perfection—the perfect pose, the perfect body, the perfect state of mind. Those of us who neither can nor wish to pursue that standard are harmed by this push toward perfection can often be made to feel like there’s something wrong with us or with our practice.

As someone who lives with multiple invisible disabilities, and particularly since going through a cancer diagnosis and treatment this summer, I’m grateful to have a practice that doesn’t push me to fix anything but gently shows me a way toward healing. When our practices are rooted in healing rather than striving for perfection, we can not only heal ourselves but also our communities.

We can heal from the harm done to us from the outside world and provide each other refuge from that world, which, sadly, all too often includes the mainstream Western wellness world. I’m deeply grateful for my own personal practice but I’m even more grateful to have found my way to teachings and teachers who have long pushed against the dominance of mainstream perspectives and offered a refuge that I and this world so badly need.

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Workshop

The Intersection of Yoga, Accessibility, and Authenticity

Dr. Sará King & Rashid Hughes

12:15pm - 1:30pm

12:15pm - 1:30pm

The Intersection of Yoga, Accessibility, and Authenticity

Dr. Sará King & Rashid Hughes

This session will guide participants through a embodied exploration of how yoga is more than just moving the body - it is a practice of "being-with-ness".

We will explore the barriers we have encountered in Western, mainstream yoga and meditation spaces as self-identifying neurodiverse Black people. We will tell our stories of allowing our experiences of loneliness and belonging to inform how we access and embrace an authentic expression of yoga, our diversity of practices, and build the capacity to cultivate loving-awareness-in-action. We will also offer a guided practice that will be a space for participants to connect with their authentic selves by resting into their embodied awareness together with us.

For this session it is recommended to have props / support that you need to comfortably meditate.  

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Panel

Panel: Centering the Trans & Non-binary Community in Yoga

Tristan Katz, Isazela "Zel" Amanzi, Noha Arafa, Daniel Sannito

1:45pm - 3:15pm

1:45pm - 3:15pm

Panel: Centering the Trans & Non-binary Community in Yoga

Tristan Katz, Isazela "Zel" Amanzi, Noha Arafa, Daniel Sannito

Often we talk about including historically and currently marginalized and excluded folks in our yoga spaces, but what does it look like to actually center trans and non-binary students, teachers, and community members rather than seeking to include them?

In this panel conversation, we’ll explore honest conversation with several yoga teachers who embody and practice this level of centering, and we’ll share thoughts and invitations for allies to do the same.

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Led Practice

Yoga & Our Core Needs

Maryam Ovissi

3:00pm - 4:15pm

3:00pm - 4:15pm

Yoga & Our Core Needs

Maryam Ovissi

We understand the power of the practice of Yoga to bring us into spaces that can be empowering, as well as dis-empowering. As we cultivate the seat of the teacher and recognize the collective trauma of our times, attuning to the core needs in the yoga domain can create an inclusive and welcoming space.

Explore with Maryam a practice where the "Core Needs" of safety, belonging and dignity are amplified for all.

This will be a standing mat based class with a closing chair contemplation.

Recommended props: A notebook & pen or note-taking device, a mat, chair, blanket and any other props you would like to have available to support your practice.  

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POSTPONED

Meet and Greet with Anjali Rao, incoming AYA Board President

3:15pm - 4:15pm

3:15pm - 4:15pm

Meet and Greet with Anjali Rao, incoming AYA Board President

Session will be rescheduled in the coming weeks in the AYA Community. Dates and more information to come! 

Meet & Greets are your opportunity to connect with other conference attendees as well as AYA’s staff and board. This session will be your chance to share time with Anjali Rao, AYA's Board President. There will be a chance for you to ask questions and learn more about Anjali’s leadership and vision.

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Keynote Address

Keynote: Reclaiming and Decolonizing Yoga

Susanna Barkataki

4:30pm - 5:30pm

4:30pm - 5:30pm

Keynote: Reclaiming and Decolonizing Yoga

Susanna Barkataki

In this conversational, accessible, and exploratory talk we will learn to listen to and trust ourselves as we develop a greater sense of attunement to the heart of yoga - creating unity. We explorer what it means to decolonize yoga (it’s a process!) and will share best practices, actionable steps, and useful language to bring inclusivity into our own practice, classes and studios. We will ask how our yoga can be used to build a bridge to unity to support students of all shapes, sizes, colors, cultures, genders and abilities.

Through deep reflection, experiential activities, stories and lessons we will learn new ways to reach new audiences, develop skills for creating more unity in our practice, and cultivate a deep trust in our own practice of Inclusivity within and without. Together we will explore yoga as unity in our embodied leadership of yoga in action.

For this session it is recommended to have a notebook and pen or note-taking device, and water.

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Watch Anytime

This on-demand content will be available on-demand to watch 24/7 in your Conference Participant Portal.

Led Practice

Finding Peace, Clarity, and Freedom as Wellness Leaders

Shawn Moore

On Demand

On Demand

Finding Peace, Clarity, and Freedom as Wellness Leaders

Shawn Moore

Leadership may feel like a dirty words, especially in our wellness and spiritual spaces. But it actually speaks to what we do at the front of the room facilitating and holding space.

The etymology of leader and leadership is rooted in "to guide, bring forth to conduct." We will unpack some of the negative implications to the idea of leadership and discuss what it means to be an embodied, equitable wellness leader within your community.

The discussion will be followed by a sound bath designed to help create space in integrate the insights from the discussion.

For this session we recommend having restorative props for a restful sound healing practice, headphones or connection to an external speaker for a more immersive connection to the sound practice, and a journal or device for note-taking.

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Led Practice

Hands-Free for the Hips, An Accessible Practice

Riss Giammalva

On Demand

On Demand

Hands-Free for the Hips, An Accessible Practice

Riss Giammalva

Inspired by the teachings and trainings of Yoga For All, this mostly hands-free flow focuses on the lower body and hips. Hands-Free for the Hips, An Accessible Practice was designed specifically with folks who may find bearing weight on the hands and wrists particularly challenging, uncomfortable, or inaccessible in mind.

In 60 minute practice, we will reimagine, and explore deeper, common shapes and postures in a new way.

The pace of this class is completely guided and demonstrated by the instructor, with ample time and space for longer held postures and play that allow the practitioner to connect with the body and mind before working towards rest.

To best prepare, please bring any props that may feel supportive; some suggestions include: a mat (or two), blocks (two or more) a strap, and a chair.

This is an all-bodies, all experiences, support and prop-encouraged, level class.

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Led Practice

Seated Adaptive Yoga - A Self Love Boost Practice

Rodrigo Souza

On Demand

On Demand

Seated Adaptive Yoga - A Self Love Boost Practice

Rodrigo Souza

The Seated Adaptive class is suitable for beginners, and it is combined with mindfulness exercises based on self-love to offer you a fully embodied experience and contribute to your physical and emotional well-being.

The class is down-to-earth, accessible, and deeply nourishing, focusing on useful ways to move and breathe. A typical class will include body awareness, breathing techniques, preparing the joints, mindful slow-flowing movements & postures, meditation, and relaxation.

Classes are designed for folks with disabilities and folks who take themselves around in a wheelchair, but everyone is welcome! This practice promotes community, and independence and provides tools for managing chronic pain, trauma, and aged-related conditions.

Recommended props: 2 x chairs, 2 X blocks

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