Katie Blecker Yoga

About the course:

A training course for yoga teachers who want to make their work more accessible to a diverse range of students, through the lens and praxis of disability, trauma-informed facilitation, and allyship. This course is rooted in social justice practices that center the disabled experience and will teach you how to create safer yoga spaces and adapt the practices of yoga for folks of different backgrounds, body-minds, and access needs. Learn how to lead actually accessible classes that seamlessly include students with apparent and non-apparent disabilities and chronic illnesses, and how the framework of accessibility aligns with the heart of yoga. 

Participants are encouraged to contribute to our discussions from their own lived experiences, with the understanding that we can all learn from each other and grow together.

We’ll meet over four sessions in a two week window (two Saturdays, two Sundays). The entire course will be paced with accessibility in mind. All hours for this program are LIVE on Zoom and you must be able to attend the whole course. Some parts of our sessions may be recorded, though we will not record any personal information shared within the group. There will be approximately 3 hours of homework during the course. Live captioning will be enabled on Zoom.

What YOU’ll LEARN:

• Disability education in the context of teaching & living yoga (some background understanding of basic yoga philosophy is recommended):

  • What ableism is and how it plays out in the yoga and wellness industries

  • Unpacking our own ableism (we all have it)

  • How yoga philosophy can guide us to create a more accessible and equitable world

  • Best practices for creating more equitable access to yoga

• Adaptive yoga & specific populations:

  • Intro to the principles of trauma informed facilitation

  • Teaching yoga to older adults/seniors

  • How to support students who have chronic pain and illness

  • Working with props and how to integrate them effectively into your sequencing

  • How to create and lead a supportive chair yoga class

  • Guidance in how to make yin, restorative, and relaxation more accessible

  • Tips for making pranayama & meditation accessible

  • How to lead an truly accessible, mixed-abilities class

• Practicum:

  • Create a 30 min sequence for a specific population OR a general accessible group class, teach it to another participant in the group.

  • Completion of a short writing assignment to discuss what you learned in the course and how you’ll implement it.

Class DATES & times:

Sat Jan 20: 10am - 3:30pm PST

Sun Jan 21: 10am - 3:30pm PST

Sat Jan 27: 10am - 3:30pm PST

Sun Jan 28: 10am - 3:30pm PST

(1 hour break + coffee break each day)

(time zone converter)

INVESTMENT:

• Sliding scale. Choose the pricing option that best reflects your financial situation and social location.

• 3-month payment plans are available upon request before Jan 6, 2024.

• SIGN UP BY DEC 31 and pay in full to get $50 off your registration (any tier). Use code EARLY50 at checkout to save.

If finances are a barrier to access, please email Katie to discuss options hello@katiebleckeryoga.com

ADDITIONAL INFO:

• You will receive a PDF course manual and slide show that is yours to keep.

• You will receive a certificate of completion and 18 hours of CEU credits. Until Dec 31, 2023, the Yoga Alliance permits online courses to be applied as continuing education contact hours.

• Suggested props to have:

• 2 yoga blocks

• 1 bolster (or some cushions)

• 1 strap

• 2 blankets 

• 1 chair

• 1-2 pillows

There will be a small amount of homework/reading assigned throughout the course. All course material and links will be emailed to you directly. 

• SUGGESTED READING: Disability Visibility by Alice Wong