@ Union Yoga + Wellness
Ossington and Bloor, Toronto
**Wheelchair Accessible Studio**
40+hr Therapeutic and Chair Yoga Teacher Training
Accessibility, Applicability, and Autonomy in Practice
Sundays 1-5:30pm: September 6, 27, October 4, 18, November 1, 15, December 6, 13, 2020
This training is open to committed practitioners hoping to deepen in their personal practice; yoga teachers (teaching or hoping to); as well as social workers, psychologists, bodyworkers, therapeutic recreationalists, art therapists, and any other group or health workers looking to offer simple yoga tools to their communities as an add-on to their current therapeutic practices. This training is based in the lineage of Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar (viniyoga), where we consider what is appropriate practice – why, for who, and for what purpose.
This training is intended to offer practitioners the space and time to deepen in their personal yoga and meditation practices within a like-minded practice community (sangha) as well as offer practical ways that simple therapeutic teachings may be formally taught or facilitated in group settings (within or outside of a yoga studio), or informally lived and shared as life practices with friends, family, and community.
**This training does not certify you as a yoga teacher, but can act as a complement to your current yoga teaching or other therapeutic practice.**
What to Expect
– Personal Practice: The primary focus of this training will be on using personal practice to explore some of the myriad classical tools of yoga used to bring humans towards relief of suffering. This practice will help us understand the “bottom up” yogic learning model vs the “top down” model of western schooling.
– Embodied self reflection on the function of movement and āsana (yoga postures) as can be practiced in a chair, on a bed, standing with support, or on a mat.
– Practice of thoracoabdominal breathing, doing prāṇāyāma (breathwork) through āsana (yoga postures), and understanding the function of formal seated prāṇāyāma.
– Exploring various other classical tools of yoga including bhāvanam (visualization); pratyāhāra (sense reversal); dhāraṇa (concentration and meditation through the yoga perspective); sound and therapeutic mantra (chants) or more dependant on interest
– Yoga Philosophy: Study some of the basic groundwork of yoga philosophy through the Yoga Sūtra-s as well as the yogic understanding of the human constitution from the Upaniṣads.
– Looking at understanding pain and trauma from the lens of the Yoga Sūtra-s, and briefly discussing how that currently aligns with western neuroscience, psychology, and sociology research.
– Subtle Anatomy: Consider a focus for practice deeper than the physical body by exploring a basic understanding of yogic subtle anatomy (prāṇa, vāyu-s, nāḍī-s, agni, mala, cakra-s) and how that guides practice in parallel with musculoskeletal, psychological, and spiritual needs
– Teaching Theory and Practice: Committing to teaching what we know, have internalized, and can give back appropriately to the other. Using this embodied self-knowledge to stand confident in our offerings.
– Practice teaching where we simply offer many options with the same function or goal, and practice increasing challenge or regressing practices as needed.
– Practice class planning for self practice, group practice, and one-on-one interactions.
– The ethics of being an unregulated instructor and knowing when to refer students/friends/clients to clinicians and other professionals.
– More deeply understand the need for a sangha or practice community as a support structure where healing can occur.
Accessibility, Applicability, and Autonomy in Practice
Sundays 1-5:30pm: September 6, 27, October 4, 18, November 1, 15, December 6, 13, 2020
This training is open to committed practitioners hoping to deepen in their personal practice; yoga teachers (teaching or hoping to); as well as social workers, psychologists, bodyworkers, therapeutic recreationalists, art therapists, and any other group or health workers looking to offer simple yoga tools to their communities as an add-on to their current therapeutic practices. This training is based in the lineage of Krishnamacharya and TKV Desikachar (viniyoga), where we consider what is appropriate practice – why, for who, and for what purpose.
This training is intended to offer practitioners the space and time to deepen in their personal yoga and meditation practices within a like-minded practice community (sangha) as well as offer practical ways that simple therapeutic teachings may be formally taught or facilitated in group settings (within or outside of a yoga studio), or informally lived and shared as life practices with friends, family, and community.
**This training does not certify you as a yoga teacher, but can act as a complement to your current yoga teaching or other therapeutic practice.**
What to Expect
– Personal Practice: The primary focus of this training will be on using personal practice to explore some of the myriad classical tools of yoga used to bring humans towards relief of suffering. This practice will help us understand the “bottom up” yogic learning model vs the “top down” model of western schooling.
– Embodied self reflection on the function of movement and āsana (yoga postures) as can be practiced in a chair, on a bed, standing with support, or on a mat.
– Practice of thoracoabdominal breathing, doing prāṇāyāma (breathwork) through āsana (yoga postures), and understanding the function of formal seated prāṇāyāma.
– Exploring various other classical tools of yoga including bhāvanam (visualization); pratyāhāra (sense reversal); dhāraṇa (concentration and meditation through the yoga perspective); sound and therapeutic mantra (chants) or more dependant on interest
– Yoga Philosophy: Study some of the basic groundwork of yoga philosophy through the Yoga Sūtra-s as well as the yogic understanding of the human constitution from the Upaniṣads.
– Looking at understanding pain and trauma from the lens of the Yoga Sūtra-s, and briefly discussing how that currently aligns with western neuroscience, psychology, and sociology research.
– Subtle Anatomy: Consider a focus for practice deeper than the physical body by exploring a basic understanding of yogic subtle anatomy (prāṇa, vāyu-s, nāḍī-s, agni, mala, cakra-s) and how that guides practice in parallel with musculoskeletal, psychological, and spiritual needs
– Teaching Theory and Practice: Committing to teaching what we know, have internalized, and can give back appropriately to the other. Using this embodied self-knowledge to stand confident in our offerings.
– Practice teaching where we simply offer many options with the same function or goal, and practice increasing challenge or regressing practices as needed.
– Practice class planning for self practice, group practice, and one-on-one interactions.
– The ethics of being an unregulated instructor and knowing when to refer students/friends/clients to clinicians and other professionals.
– More deeply understand the need for a sangha or practice community as a support structure where healing can occur.
Training Structure and Dates
– 8x Sundays 1-5:30pm
– September 6, 27, October 4, 18, November 1, 15, December 6, 13, 2020
**Please do not audio record the sessions**
– Two 90min one-on-one yoga sessions with Kassandra in support of your personal practice–one in September, one in November. Additional sessions are available at an additional fee
– Personal practice and study time strongly encouraged throughout our time together (suggested 20 minutes a day)
Suggested Pre-Reading
Yoga Sūtra-s translated by TKV Desikachar: https://kymyogavaisharadi.org/display/bhashya/reflections/iast
Location
– This training will run on the online teleconferencing platform, Zoom. Details will be sent out once your spot is confirmed.
Supplies Required
– Computer, tablet, or phone that can connect to the internet for the duration of the sessions
– Headphones (useful if you will be in a louder/distracting place)
– Somewhere to take notes
– Chair, blanket, yoga block (or hardcover book/box of cereal/tissues etc), strap (or belt/scarf)
**you can have other yoga props around if you’d like to explore with them but they aren’t necessary**
Cost
$695 + HST Sustainer Rate
$620 + HST Supporter Rate
$545 + HST Community Rate
We are dedicated to offering accessible rates. Please pay what you can, according to your financial means, and contact us if you need to request a further reduction in rate. Paying the Sustainer rate supports those who are only able to pay the Community rate, or less. If you are able to sponsor a spot in this training please contact yogawithkassandra@gmail.com.
2 Scholarship Spots available at $350 + HST (priority being given to people living with disabilities who are unable to attend in-person yoga teacher trainings)
– 8x Sundays 1-5:30pm
– September 6, 27, October 4, 18, November 1, 15, December 6, 13, 2020
**Please do not audio record the sessions**
– Two 90min one-on-one yoga sessions with Kassandra in support of your personal practice–one in September, one in November. Additional sessions are available at an additional fee
– Personal practice and study time strongly encouraged throughout our time together (suggested 20 minutes a day)
Suggested Pre-Reading
Yoga Sūtra-s translated by TKV Desikachar: https://kymyogavaisharadi.org/display/bhashya/reflections/iast
Location
– This training will run on the online teleconferencing platform, Zoom. Details will be sent out once your spot is confirmed.
Supplies Required
– Computer, tablet, or phone that can connect to the internet for the duration of the sessions
– Headphones (useful if you will be in a louder/distracting place)
– Somewhere to take notes
– Chair, blanket, yoga block (or hardcover book/box of cereal/tissues etc), strap (or belt/scarf)
**you can have other yoga props around if you’d like to explore with them but they aren’t necessary**
Cost
$695 + HST Sustainer Rate
$620 + HST Supporter Rate
$545 + HST Community Rate
We are dedicated to offering accessible rates. Please pay what you can, according to your financial means, and contact us if you need to request a further reduction in rate. Paying the Sustainer rate supports those who are only able to pay the Community rate, or less. If you are able to sponsor a spot in this training please contact yogawithkassandra@gmail.com.
2 Scholarship Spots available at $350 + HST (priority being given to people living with disabilities who are unable to attend in-person yoga teacher trainings)
Schedule Breakdown
Week 1 – Introduction and Groundwork / Anatomy and Biomechanics Review
– Sample Class: Chair–Fairly High Mobility
Week 2 – Yoga Philosophy / Yogic Constitution / Diaphragm and Lung Anatomy and Function / Collaborative Joint Explorations
– Sample Classes: Long Term Care / Seniors Home / Teaching in Another Language
Week 3 – 4 Step Yoga Methodology
– Sample Classes: Acute Pain (Pacification and Rest Stage) Class / Building Up Mobility (Post-Acute Pain) Class
Week 4 – Class Planning / Collaborative Joint Explorations
– Sample Classes: Standing Techniques with Wall and Chair / Practical Prāṇāyāma Techniques
Week 5 – Understanding Trauma and Pain (Yogic Lens) / Pain Management (Allopathic+Yogic Lens) / Additional Tools and Their Function
– Sample Classes: Āsana with sound and Bhāvana (Laying + Chair) / Practical Prāṇāyāma Techniques
Week 6 – Subtle Anatomy / Condition Basics / Collaborative Joint Explorations
– Sample Class: Therapeutic (Mat + Chair) with Vāyu focus
Week 7 – Working with Trauma and Pain (Yogic+Allopathic Lens) / Prāṇāyāma Krama and Ratios / Yogic Meditation
– Sample Class: Practical Prāṇāyāma Techniques / Yogic Meditation
Week 8 – Personalities, Relationships, and Ethics / Participant Practice Teaching
Testimonials
“Kassandra's training was so much more than I could have ever expected from a Chair and Accessible Yoga training. Kassandra has not only a brilliant mind but a brilliant heart. Their depth of embodied knowledge allowed for a deep, fluid dive into yoga philosophy as it applies to accessibility and inclusivity. I left this training feeling not only like I had more to offer my students, but that I was more well-equipped to go deeper into my own practice, both on the mat and in the world. If I had to choose what I found most valuable personally, it probably would have been Kassandra’s particular way of sharing the philosophy, as well as their teachings on the vayu-s and pranayama practice. Something in the way that they taught allowed this stuff to land for me in ways it hadn't before.” ~Angelica
"The Chair and Accessible YTT will invite you to rediscover the fundamentals of asana practice, drawing from the extensive tradition of yoga to then adapting the asana practice to each and every person and their body. The body, your body, my body is in all a wonder and what hold us in grace to this moment. You will be held with grace under Kassandra in both developing your capacity for understanding yoga philosophy, creating a practice that speaks to more than one way of practicing asana, and to confront your privileges in being able to even access spaces for practicing yoga asana. Whether your practice is in using a chair or any other kind of structural support you will develop both a creative and sensitive lens in creating a truly inclusive practice". - Kais Padamshi
“Kass’s teaching style is truly enlightening and their training would be ideal for anyone looking to deepen their practice and/or understanding of yoga. I left the training feeling completely transformed and am deeply grateful for the experience.” ~ Sos E
"As each class ended, my confidence to teach exponentially grew." ~ M.A.L.
Week 1 – Introduction and Groundwork / Anatomy and Biomechanics Review
– Sample Class: Chair–Fairly High Mobility
Week 2 – Yoga Philosophy / Yogic Constitution / Diaphragm and Lung Anatomy and Function / Collaborative Joint Explorations
– Sample Classes: Long Term Care / Seniors Home / Teaching in Another Language
Week 3 – 4 Step Yoga Methodology
– Sample Classes: Acute Pain (Pacification and Rest Stage) Class / Building Up Mobility (Post-Acute Pain) Class
Week 4 – Class Planning / Collaborative Joint Explorations
– Sample Classes: Standing Techniques with Wall and Chair / Practical Prāṇāyāma Techniques
Week 5 – Understanding Trauma and Pain (Yogic Lens) / Pain Management (Allopathic+Yogic Lens) / Additional Tools and Their Function
– Sample Classes: Āsana with sound and Bhāvana (Laying + Chair) / Practical Prāṇāyāma Techniques
Week 6 – Subtle Anatomy / Condition Basics / Collaborative Joint Explorations
– Sample Class: Therapeutic (Mat + Chair) with Vāyu focus
Week 7 – Working with Trauma and Pain (Yogic+Allopathic Lens) / Prāṇāyāma Krama and Ratios / Yogic Meditation
– Sample Class: Practical Prāṇāyāma Techniques / Yogic Meditation
Week 8 – Personalities, Relationships, and Ethics / Participant Practice Teaching
Testimonials
“Kassandra's training was so much more than I could have ever expected from a Chair and Accessible Yoga training. Kassandra has not only a brilliant mind but a brilliant heart. Their depth of embodied knowledge allowed for a deep, fluid dive into yoga philosophy as it applies to accessibility and inclusivity. I left this training feeling not only like I had more to offer my students, but that I was more well-equipped to go deeper into my own practice, both on the mat and in the world. If I had to choose what I found most valuable personally, it probably would have been Kassandra’s particular way of sharing the philosophy, as well as their teachings on the vayu-s and pranayama practice. Something in the way that they taught allowed this stuff to land for me in ways it hadn't before.” ~Angelica
"The Chair and Accessible YTT will invite you to rediscover the fundamentals of asana practice, drawing from the extensive tradition of yoga to then adapting the asana practice to each and every person and their body. The body, your body, my body is in all a wonder and what hold us in grace to this moment. You will be held with grace under Kassandra in both developing your capacity for understanding yoga philosophy, creating a practice that speaks to more than one way of practicing asana, and to confront your privileges in being able to even access spaces for practicing yoga asana. Whether your practice is in using a chair or any other kind of structural support you will develop both a creative and sensitive lens in creating a truly inclusive practice". - Kais Padamshi
“Kass’s teaching style is truly enlightening and their training would be ideal for anyone looking to deepen their practice and/or understanding of yoga. I left the training feeling completely transformed and am deeply grateful for the experience.” ~ Sos E
"As each class ended, my confidence to teach exponentially grew." ~ M.A.L.
