Adaptive Yoga Trainings
Upcoming Dates
In-Person 12 Hour Foundations Training: Montgomery, NJ | January 23rd-25th, 2026: SOLD OUT
Online 2.5 Hour Training: Virtual | March 20th, 2026, 6:00pm-8:30pmET: SOLD OUT
Online 2.5 Hour Training: Virtual | Sunday- May 17th, 2026, 9:30am-12:00pmET: Register Here
In-Person 12 Hour Foundations Training: Asheville, NC | August 7th-9th, 2026: Register Here
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12 Hour, Foundations of Adaptive Yoga Training
Transform your teaching and make a real impact. Our internationally accredited Adaptive Yoga training equips yoga instructors, therapists, educators, caregivers, and wellness professionals with the practical skills and knowledge to confidently guide individuals with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities through inclusive, empowering yoga practices.
You DO NOT need a prior yoga training or certification to join us.
12 Hour, Foundations of Adaptive Yoga Training Internationally Accredited by Yoga Alliance
If you feel called to support others in a way that honors the whole person, mind, body, and spirit, this Adaptive Yoga training offers a clear, grounded next step in your personal and professional path.
This training is perfect for parents, educators, yoga instructors, therapists, and wellness professionals. You do not need a prior yoga certification to join. You will learn how to support people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities through yoga and embodiment practices. Whether you are teaching in a studio, hospital, classroom, or one-on-one setting, this training will equip you with foundational tools to adapt a yoga practice effectively.
Rooted in accessibility, our training gives you the tools to meet people exactly where they are and the confidence to know what to do once you are there. You will gain practical skills and practices that nurture connection, regulation, and embodied presence. This ensures your teaching is not just inclusive in theory but effective in practice.
You will explore:
✔ Why adaptability matters
✔ Understanding functional movement, social-emotional learning, and embodiment
principles
✔ How to modify traditional yoga poses and breathwork practices for various abilities
✔ Adaptive chair and floor-based yoga practices utilizing props
✔ Adaptive mindfulness techniques for emotional resilience
✔ How to structure an adaptive yoga session for individuals and groups
✔ Language and cueing techniques to foster independence and empowerment through dynamic cueing practices (cueing seated and standing postures at the same time)
✔ Creating a welcoming environment for disabled populations
Take the next step in your journey and gain the skills, confidence, and practical tools to make a real difference. Learn how to support people with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities in a way that is truly inclusive and adaptive. Spaces are limited. I would love for you to join the adaptive yoga movement to create lasting change in your life and the yoga community.
Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll receive a certificate recognized by Yoga Alliance for 12 Continuing Education Units (CEUs). In some cases, special education teachers can use this course for CEU credits through their institution. More importantly, you’ll walk away with practical skills and tools to confidently guide those with IDD through foundational yoga practices. You do not need prior yoga training to join this course- a foundational knowledge of yoga is beneficial.
Register for a Training!
In-Person 12 Hour Foundations Training: Montgomery, NJ| January 23rd-25th, 2026: SOLD OUT
Online 2.5 Hour Training: Virtual | March 20th, 2026, 6:00pm-8:30pmET:SOLD OUT
Online 2.5 Hour Training: Virtual | Sunday- May 17th, 2026, 9:30am-12:00pmET: Register Here
In-Person 12 Hour Foundations Training: Asheville, NC | August 7th-9th, 2026: Register Here
Trainee Testimonials
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My name is Norelle Bondar and I am a Board Certified Behavior Analyst serving clients of all ages on the spectrum and I/DD and CYT-200. I have always been drawn to how movement can benefit the lives of the clients I serve. After discovering the Adaptive Yoga Resource and talking to Sophie, I fell in love with the idea of making yoga inclusive for all and sharing the knowledge with my clients. I have always had the idea of combining what I do as a full time BCBA, and my love for yoga so when Sophie shared this opportunity with me, I had to take it as a sign. Since completing the training, I have felt inspired, grateful and motivated to start sharing this beautiful practice with the world. This training was like no other. Sophie is an eloquent speaker, gifted instructor, and excellent trainer. Her confidence beams and her love for what she does is truly contagious. Learning from her has opened my eyes to what my future can look like. She took the time to answer each of our questions thoughtfully and with patience. Anyone who is looking into this training should know that you may walk in nervous and unsure, but you WILL leave with so many new tools in your bag, skills you never thought you’d have and excitement for sharing the practice of yoga in a new way. Thank you so much Sophie for everything you have done and for the time and commitment you put into adaptive yoga resource! -Norelle, Behavior Analyst, CYT 200
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It is a true honor to learn from Ms. Sophie Schnitzlein. I attended one of her adaptive yoga trainings at Asheville Yoga Center. As a teacher working with many children on the spectrum as well as with children and elders with specific physical challenges for many years, it is important to honor the diverse needs of every authentic individual. Sophie is someone led by her heart and is a lifelong learner. She taught important tools and ways to reach every individual with inclusive meaningful experiences that can be used in many diverse settings by bringing in opportunities to connect with body, breath and mind in simple and practical ways. I feel so grateful and inspired to have met Sophie. She will make a difference wherever she teaches and shares for she has great wisdom, experience, heart and is down to earth. She values giving all people an opportunity to participate regardless if someone is in a wheelchair, or on the spectrum or in any situation so that all can connect in simple yet powerful and profound ways. Sophie is making our world a better place! -Ainhoa
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I am a Hearing Instrument Specialist and a Yoga Instructor. Research is now showing that 1/3 of individuals with dementia are living their experience as a result of untreated hearing loss. To combat this statistic I have been offering free hearing screenings at senior care facilities in my community. This has really sparked a passion for working with not only the older age demographic- but those that are navigating dementia and Alzheimer’s. I was wondering how I could extend my offerings and get more involved in serving my community - especially the aforementioned demographic. As a long time practitioner and teacher of vinyasa style yoga- I never thought I could share my passion for yoga with the individuals that I was hoping to work alongside. Then I saw that Sophie was offering a workshop focused on Adaptive yoga and suddenly a door opened and I realized I could combine my 2 passions. The training was incredible - Sophie facilitated a space that was comfortable, organic and very very welcoming. I can be shy at times and felt at home immediately. The training was very well thought out and organized so that it was digestible. We had stations and games that allowed us to connect with other workshop attendees and that allowed us to experience what an adaptive yoga student would experience first hand. This allowed us to learn WHY different approaches are helpful and inspired ideas on how one might facilitate their own class. We also practiced yoga how our students would. This was incredibly informative and eye opening. Yoga is beneficial for all ~ this workshop proved that you don’t need to be upside down or in a pretzel to experience those benefits. -KC
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For many years I had been looking for a course like this! As an OT, I have taken other yoga continuing education courses that focused on patient care. I have been teaching yoga for 5 years now. I started with zoom due to the pandemic but now teach chair yoga and a foundation class. Since taking your class, I feel more empowered to lead a yoga session with a slightly different approach. I will be adding more breath work, assessing energy levels and modifying as needed. Sophie, you are very welcoming, knowledgeable and encouraging. Your course was well organized with fun learning experiences. I would highly recommend anyone interested to take your course! -Gina, OT
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I feel so lucky that I was able to participate and complete AYR’s 12-hour Adaptive Yoga Certification course. Hi, I’m Nikki and I work as a behavior therapist for children and adults with autism. Being able to participate in this training has given me tools that I get to share with my clients in our day to day sessions, which makes me so excited! Tools such as finger tap affirmations and square breathing have already proven to be a huge hit amongst some of my friends. When I first signed up for this training, I was quite anxious, as I don’t love to put myself out there, but the space I shared with 14 other wonderful women was inspiring. Everyone was kind and genuinely wanted the best for one another. Sophie led us all and helped us learn and grow. It is safe to say my confidence has grown through this process. I can’t wait to continue to share adaptive and inclusive yoga with the world! -Nikki, Behavior Therapist
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Sophie’s foundations in Adaptive Yoga was truly amazing. I felt comfortable in her class immediately with her warm, calming presence. She taught in a way everyone could understand - using many different teaching techniques. I left feeling energized and knowledgeable; thirsty for more! What a truly special experience.
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What Sophie has created emerges from lived, embodied experience. The learnings she shared are practical and support the development of sustainable, grounded relationships with clients. A key reminder was that excessive education can sometimes pull us into the cerebral. Returning to simplicity and staying true to oneself is often what works most reliably. I didn’t expect to walk away with a structure that was so easy to understand and remember. I feel more confident than before in keeping my work simple and authentic. -Kavya MA, Dance/movement therapist, E RYT 500
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Client Testimonials