Yoga for All

Yoga Teacher Training for Diverse Body Types

What You Get

Preview the body positive content included in the Yoga For All Training Course.


Yoga For All Week by Week

This 5-week online yoga certification course is perfect for busy yoga teachers. Work on the modules whenever and wherever is most convenient for you. All content is available online for self-study.

Week 1

Body image and the language of body positivity

  • How does yoga affect body image?
  • How do we use yoga to change how we feel about our bodies?
  • How do we create positive and impactful yoga classes for all bodies? 
  • Language and cultural humility

Foundations of a body positive class

  • Foundational principles: agency, consent, permission
  • Ahimsa as a basis for teaching
  • Why “Listen to your body” is too simple, and what to say instead
  • Talking to students about injuries
  • Health at Every Size paradigm to wellness

Teaching to who is in the room

  • Come with a plan, but be prepared to toss it–tips for staying on your toes
  • Choosing class plans based on your students’ needs
  • Adapting poses to address common problems for students in larger bodies

Warm-ups

  • Seated
  • Lying on the back
  • Hands and knees
  • Standing 

Dianne Bondy and Amber Karnes demonstrate a yoga pose.

Week 2

The power of language

  • Reducing harm with our language
  • Avoiding triggering language
  • Giving students agency on and off the mat
  • How to avoid making assumptions or using body-shaming words
  • Turning new students into regulars

Before class: getting set up for success

  • Welcoming and reassuring your students
  • Discussing challenges or concerns
  • How to turn a new student into a regular
  • How to stop making assumptions or judging new students
  • Tips for teaching new students
  • After class: effective feedback methods and building community

Sun Salutations

  • Six variations on sun salutations that work for all bodies
  • Sun salutations with the chair and the wall
  • Transitions in sun salutations and other considerations for larger bodies

Standing poses

  • Tadasana
  • Garudasana
  • Revolved triangle
  • Utkatasana
  • Ardha chandrasana
  • Lunge variations
  • King dancer

Amber Karnes demonstrates an assist in full wheel with Dianne Bondy.

Week 3

Creating a culture of consent

  • Why is consent around touch so important?
  • Hands-on adjustments – when and how to adjust our students
  • Ideas and approaches to obtaining consent around touch

Teaching modifications: fundamentals & setting up your class

  • The “what is the point of the pose?” test
  • Personalized practice and giving your students agency
  • Giving your students space to trust their instincts
  • Practical tips for using props with all your students

Teaching modifications: language & techniques

  • Focus on foundations first
  • Why the “full expression of the pose” is a myth
  • Using different language to introduce modifications
  • Being mindful of body landmarks as cues

Backbends

  • Sphinx
  • Cobra
  • Locust
  • Bridge
  • Bow pose
  • Upward-facing dog

Seated & supine poses

  • Janu sirsasana
  • Wide legged forward fold
  • Pigeon
  • Seated twists
  • Seated forward folds
  • Happy baby
  • Savasana

Dianne Bondy and Amber Karnes demonstrate reverse warrior pose.

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Week 4

The power of progressive teaching

  • The bus stop method to teaching poses
  • Yogi play time – low-pressure, no judgment yoga fun
  • What if there are no props?

Transitions

  • Between standing poses and during sun salutations
  • Stepping forward and back from different positions
  • Downward-facing dog at the wall, with blocks, and transitions with down dog

Inversions

  • Building upper body strength for headstand, including a prop setup
  • “Headless” headstand
  • Dolphin & forearm stand
  • Bridge
  • Supported bridge
  • Supported shoulder stand
  • Keeping breasts out of your face!

Arm Balances

  • Bakasana
  • Handstand
  • Eka Pada Koundinyasana

Bonus asana videos: full practice sequences

  • Chair yoga flow 1
  • Chair yoga flow 2
  • Prop-heavy asana sequence

Dianne Bondy and Amber Karnes demonstrate an assist in boat pose.

Week 5

Marketing Your Yoga For All Class

  • How to find your student base
  • Finding your voice as a teacher
  • Writing your bio and mission statement
  • Language and writing your class description
  • Mastering social media
  • Pitching your class to a yoga studio
  • Flyers, websites, and more

Dianne Bondy and Amber Karnes demonstrate a partner stretch.

Bonus Material

Downloads and Resources

  • Yoga For All Teacher Training Manual
  • Journaling & Writing Reflection Prompts
  • Handless Vinyasa Flow Sequence
  • Tips for Teaching A Beginner Series
  • Bio, Mission & Vision Worksheet
  • Chaturanga-free Vinyasa Flow Sequence
  • 10 Things That Make You Stand Out As A Yoga Teacher
  • Quick Tips for Teaching Modifications to Students
  • Class planning templates
  • and more!

Facebook Community

Connect with other teachers participating in the course, post your reflections from each module, get ideas for class sequences, and ask your questions!

Certification

After the completion of the course, you will be a certified Yoga For All teacher, and can use that designation on your website, your bio, and in your marketing materials.

Continuing Education

Upon the completion of the course, you’ll receive a certificate which you can submit to Yoga Alliance for 25 continuing education hours.

Yoga For All (YFA) teaches a practical method of thinking
about yoga poses as combinations of foundational movements that can be adapted for bodies of all sizes and shapes. It also teaches how to use language to make adaptations accessible and welcome to all students. YFA has changed the way I teach all students and has made me a much better teacher.
~Juanita Peck


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