ADAPTIVE/ACCESSIBLE

I have recorded videos of both adaptive and accessible yoga classes for online personal use, available here: https://www.byomyogavideos.com/p/adaptive-yoga.html  & https://www.byomyogavideos.com/p/special-needs.html.  To use in a commercial, educational, or training program, or to download for distribution, please reach out to me at byomyoga@gmail.com.

Click here https://bit.ly/2kIe8Cv to see an interview about my yoga demonstration at the June 2020 Abilities Expo in Chicago!

Featured Video

"Fitness with Friends" for Fun4TheDisabled

Accessible Chair Yoga

The online Accessible Chair Yoga classes for people with physical disabilities are not currently meeting.  If you want to set up private individual/group live online classes for your group specifically send me an email me concerning your group's needs.

The classes (and the recorded videos) are chair-based meaning we remain seated almost exclusively. Participants can modify for standing or reclining options as needed, and some classes specifically address these choices. We work on strengthening and stretching muscles and tissues to improve range of motion for mobility and balance. We use breathwork and meditation for calming the nervous system and energizing the spirit, and discuss yoga principles to engage the mind and create community.  Everyone should feel comfortable participating to their own challenge level, and not feel obligated to mirror the instructor or any other participant. 

• Use all necessary support (seat belts, breathing apparatus) and follow medical professional advice when participating in a fitness activity.
• Wheelchair users do not need to transfer to other seating. Wheels should be locked for class.
• Feet should be on a solid surface (floor, blanket, wheelchair paddles)
• For those using standard chairs, use a high-backed, arm-less chair with a flat seat (folding chairs are not recommended).
• Place all seating on a non-slip surface like a yoga mat.
• Props are optional, but a fitness strap (yoga strap, fitness band) is recommended for movement assistance.
• Hydrate at least twice during a 40-minute yoga class
• Be aware of your surroundings.
• Use of the videos below implies consent of the liability waiver and is at one's own risk.

Adaptive Yoga Classes for ID/DD Adults

The online and in-person classes are not currently meeting. If you want to set up private individual/group live online classes for your group specifically send me an email me so we can serve your consumers' needs.

These Adaptive Yoga classes focus on mindfulness for those with developmental and physical disabilities. In class we focus on developing good breathing habits, improving mind-body awareness, and encouraging movement for better circulation, improved metabolism, range of motion, and overall vitality. 

This practice is also beneficial for caregivers, family members, and friends of the “traditional” consumers for these classes, and all are welcome to participate. We have mostly seated instruction, but may do some standing poses, and address limited mobility challenges, but everyone should feel comfortable participating to their own challenge level. Every participant has the option of disabling their own video feed.

Classes are 50 minutes, and participants can use chairs (or where needed wheelchairs) or do yoga from the floor. In the spirit of inclusion, I strongly encourage coaches/care-givers/family members to join the class to both model participation as well as get a great stretch for themselves!

There is no advance sign up, but yoga class size is limited and first come first serve. If the class you wanted to attend is full that day please stay until the next session starts. Remember you have full use of the library facilities!

Like all my classes, I emphasize first and foremost the role of the breath in helping the body calm and connect to the mind. I use both auditory and visual cues, plus props like the Hoberman Sphere, and yoga tools like blocks, straps, balls and blankets to make movement more accessible and create positive sensation and connection.

Yoga is all about intention, and even if the body cannot create the "textbook" form of a pose that does not limit our practitioners' ability to gain the benefits. We stretch and strengthen muscles, build endurance, and work on emotional regulation using the poses, the breath, music, and open group dialogue. The classes are intended to create safe social atmosphere for all our students to find a little bit of "samadhi" (enlightenment) in their own way.

Each class ends with a few minutes (or more) resting in chairs, sometimes on the floor, with quiet music, and sometimes with eye pillows, to provide students the experience of "savasana" (or quiet meditation).