Equip yourself with a wealth of practices to support adults, however their conditions present.

Special Yoga For Adults: Disabilities & Autism

Foundation Teacher Training

About this Special Yoga for Adults Course

On this online course there are four teaching webinars which are hosted on Zoom.
The first webinar is slightly longer, giving students and teachers some time to get to know each other and the teachers to put students into Study Groups.

Opening: Tuesday 10th September between 6.30pm and 9.00pm
Webinar Two: Tuesday 15th October 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Webinar Three: Tuesday 12th November April 6.30pm - 8.30pm
Closing: Tuesday 3rd December 6.30pm - 8.30pm

In smaller study groups over Zoom, you’ll meet to work on assignments, helping you embody your experiences and learning. The sessions are also a valuable chance to compare experiences applying Special Yoga in your personal work/home situations with the children.
Study Group One: Tuesday 24th September 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Study Group Two: Tuesday 29th October 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Study Group Three: Tuesday 19th November 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Study Group Four: Tuesday 10th December 6.30pm - 7.30pm

The online aspect of the course consists of modules designed for you to work through independently, expanding and consolidating what you learned in person. Modules will teach you how to:

  • Integrate the Special Yoga methodology into your profession,

  • Learn how to apply specific asana, pranayama and relaxation practices to safely support the benefit of yoga to these populations. E.g. Adaptive Yoga Nidra,

  • Learn supporting techniques including: sound, mantra and energy medicine, massage and touch and positive affirmations,

  • Develop your own self-awareness into how your state matters, and work from the heart as a way to build your confidence and style of teaching,

  • Build a lesson and create a plan,

  • Support in various settings including groups, mixed ability sessions and 1-1,

  • Use a chair to support the less mobile, including wheelchair users,

  • Manage contraindications to work safely,

  • Learn how to work with support workers, family members and other caregivers so they have knowledge and understanding of what we are trying to do. 

 

 

 

 

Book Now

Special Yoga Adults - Disabilities and Autism

For invoiced bookings or to discuss multi-place bookings please email info@specialyoga.co.uk

Benefits Of Special Yoga For Adults

Yoga isn’t just about improving flexibility - although the practices learned can certainly facilitate this, and a host of physical benefits, but that’s just the start.
When you learn to share Special Yoga you’ll be sharing movement, breathwork, singing and sound, massage and energy, relaxation, mindfulness, working with the feet and self-care. These techniques combined offer physical, emotional and psychological rewards including improved:

  • Mental and emotional wellbeing

  • Strength, coordination and balance

  • Attention and concentration

  • Self-esteem and maintaining independence

  • Social interaction and communication

  • Physical health and reduced pain

Leading the Training…

Christine Godwin

Christine is one of our Senior Practitioners with extensive experience both in supporting her beautiful child Jacob, who has downs syndrome, and other children and adults with special needs.

With heartfelt commitment Christine supports the organisation in a variety of ways teaching on foundation and senior practitioner courses.

Jodie Spiers

Jodie has worked with adults with additional needs since 2012, then training as a Yoga teacher and subsequently becoming a Special Yoga practitioner and trainer. She has been able to merge her experience as a manager of adult day centres with her experience and passion for yoga and now delivers group and 1:1 yoga to adults.
Jodie is also a trained Yoga Therapist with the Minded institute and specialises in working with adults with learning disabilities and mental health challenges. She endeavours to offer a space for people to find ease and grow within themselves to find a more peaceful way of being in the world.

Who is the training for?

Through popular demand, we have developed this training for qualified yoga teachers and health care professionals, community & care workers and family members. 

Using Special Yoga’s proven method of teaching and under the mentorship of the experienced tutors, participants will have time and space to develop their own invaluable course plan to take away and a series of lessons for use in their own community.

Through sharing specialised adults’ yoga training, education and knowledge around safety within a range of conditions, it is hoped that facilitators are inspired to deliver motivating and life-affirming classes, and have the skills to deal effectively with whatever shows up in class.

Accessible - Adaptable - Effective

Therapeutic practices to support adults with disabilities and/or autism

No previous experience necessary

  • Autism

    ADHD

    Learning Difficulties

    Downs syndrome

    Developmental Delay

    Mental & Emotional Health

    Sensory Conditions

    Adaptive practices: postures, breathing, relaxation, Yoga Nidra

    Adaptations for wheelchair users and seated participants

  • Special Yoga training puts the Parent/Teacher/Carer first; You learn one set of practices that are initially used to balance your own nervous system before being shared with the adults in your care. The practices first calm, as well as helping to improve:

    Regulation 

    Sensory overload

    Sleep

    Behaviour

    Body awareness

  • Special Yoga practices allow those in your care to:

    • Form rewarding relationships with all those around them

    • Experience less physical pain and emotional trauma

    • Learn practical communication skills and techniques

    • Improve natural sleep and digestion patterns

    • Develop cognition, fostering a greater capacity to learn

    • Build strength, coordination and flexibility

  • The course is delivered 100% online combining live webinars, practical and theoretical self-study, and peer-managed study groups.

  • After understanding how to self-regulate, you will learn simple but powerful techniques; effective whatever the condition.

    Special Yoga practices can be performed anywhere and don’t require any special equipment or location. The Special Yoga methodology is effective in homes, hospitals and mainstream or special educational needs schools worldwide. You’ll learn how to share the techniques in 1:1 and group settings

  • All of the Special Yoga courses start with you, the parent, carer, teacher, practitioner.
    As you start to familiarise yourself with the practices, you’ll see how they can be used to regulate your own state before sharing them with those in your care.

 

 

 

 

Book Now

Special Yoga Adults - Disabilities and Autism

For invoiced bookings or to discuss multi-place bookings please email info@specialyoga.co.uk

Student Testimonials For This Course

  • "I am so glad that I enrolled on this course!

    It has given me the confidence and motivation to explore and experiment with different yoga practices. The meditations and the journaling are all adding to this experience.

    I have been very stressed in my NHS work and this course is helping me. I am so grateful for having the opportunity to engage in this course for myself, and potentially and hopefully for others for what it can also bring them.

  • "This has given me the tools and knowledge to introduce yoga to the people I work with,

    whilst developing my own self-care and practise. I have already noticed the benefits it has brought my clients and can't wait to continue my journey with Special Yoga.”

    - Katherine

  • “Studying with Special Yoga was absolutely fantastic.

    The course is set up to guide you through easily and all the information is set out clearly with the timetable. The course content is incredible and the tutors are so knowledgeable and helpful. Would definitely recommend and can’t wait to carry on learning with the team!

    - Laura

  • "I have loved this course.

    The special yoga practices have enabled me to become more gentle towards myself. This has helped me realize that i can then pass that onto the people that I teach.”

    - Charlie

  • "I was really inspired by the Special Yoga team.

    It is obvious they are very passionate about the work they do. Richard and Jodie are a great support to their students on the course and to students with special needs. Thanks so much - I've really enjoyed the journey with you learning to support adults with special needs.”

    - Fiona

  • “The Special Yoga course was amazing.

    The course was clear, well structured and led you through easily. I loved seeing all the teaching practices with students and I look forward to the next course!

    - Laura