Adaptive Gentle/Chair Yoga Teacher Training

The Adaptive Gentle/Chair Yoga Teacher Training provides a solid foundation for Yoga teachers to know how to adapt traditional Yoga asana for those students who may be limited in movement owing to age, illness, disability, or injury. Through the use of gentle assists, various props and mindful observations, the teacher will receive an overview of how to adapt and teach those students who have all types of limitations and age-related conditions; and how not to feel insecure when working with them.

This course prepares you, the teacher, to adapt, adjust, and accommodate the traditional Yoga class so that students of any age, shape, ability, or disability may enjoy the Hatha Yoga experience safely and comfortably.

Curriculum

• Focus on asana (postures); how to adapt for various conditions/limitations
• Learn how to work with props including wheelchairs and walkers
• Review anatomy and physiology as it relates to various conditions such as osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis, scoliosis, spinal conditions, osteoporosis, various cancers, multiple sclerosis, PTSD, Alzheimer’s, etc…learn what to do and not do for specific conditions
• Deepen experience through Pranayama (breath work), Meditation, Yoga Nidra (Yogic rest), and Raja Yoga (philosophy)
• Learn how to create a safe space/environment for your students

In this training, you will…

• Receive an in-depth training manual, specifically designed to support you as you continue to grow as an Adaptive teacher
• Gain access to a student portal that provides a centralized location for all your training materials, recordings of the daily practices, and other resources to facilitate a deep immersion
• Collaborate with your fellow teachers-in-training during break-out sessions, designed to help to get to know one another
• Practice teaching and receive constructive feedback from your trainers and peers
• Work one-on-one with people living with specific conditions
• Observe and participate in several classes including Gentle Mat, Chair, and Restorative Yoga; Yoga for Arthritis; Yoga for the Heart; Yoga for people living with multiple sclerosis; and Yoga for Osteoporosis
• Complete a research paper exploring a physical or mental condition of your choosing and develop a practice to support the student with that condition
• Create and design your own Chair/Gentle Mat Yoga class to share as your final practicum

Once you have met all requirements, you will receive a Certificate of Completion from Integral Yoga as an Adaptive Gentle/Chair Yoga teacher.

Upon graduation, you can expect to be able to guide people living with limitations confidently and compassionately through a Hatha Yoga experience that is both safe and satisfying. You will be able to teach in many settings, including Yoga studios, gyms, assisted-living facilities, nursing homes, veterans’ organizations, schools, prisons, and hospitals.

Schedule

September 9 – November 1, 2025
• Tuesdays & Thursdays • 4:30pm–7:30pm
• Saturdays • 9:30am–4:30pm (with 1-hour lunch break)

November 8, 2025
• Graduation Day • Time TBD by participants

All times given in Eastern Time US, please check your time zone.

This is a live and interactive online training, attendance during the zoom class hours as scheduled is required for successful completion of the program. There will be an in-person attendance option during select days for practice teaching, this will be discussed in class.

Enrollment in this course includes free access to online and in-person classes through Integral Yoga Institute, NY. Access to class recordings and online study materials will be available for you during the training and for 12 months after graduation.

Admissions deadline is August 29. Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Admission for late applicants is not guaranteed.

Tuition

$1500 Regular Tuition, paid in full by August 29
or
$1525 on the Payment Plan, with $275 deposit by August 29

Special Discounts:

• $1300 Early Bird Tuition, paid in full by August 1
• $1275 for IYTA Members
• $1200 for Active IYINY Teachers

Tuition includes a $100 non-refundable administrative fee to reserve your space in the training, course materials, as well as free hatha classes which may begin 30 days before the training.  Access to class recordings and online study materials will be available for you during the training and for 12 months after graduation. Trainees also receive a 10% discount on any IYINY shop purchases while enrolled in the course.

Tuition must be paid in full before the training begins, or you must be actively enrolled in the payment plan.  The payment plan includes a deposit due before the training begins, and subsequent installments will be due over the course of the training, with the balance completed before graduation.

Partial scholarships are available when possible. BIPOC and LGBTQ+ applicants are encouraged to inquire about scholarship opportunities. For more information on payment plans and scholarships, please contact TeacherTraining@iyiny.org.

Auditing

Teachers who are already certified in Integral Adaptive Gentle/Chair Yoga may participate in this program at a discounted rate of $600. Auditors are not required to attend all sessions and will not be evaluated on assignments. If you are interested in auditing this course, please email TeacherTraining@iyiny.org with a copy of your Integral Yoga Adaptive or Gentle/Chair Yoga certificate.

Requirements for Admission

This program is open to certified Yoga teachers of all traditions with a minimum 200 hours of training. Familiarity with the Integral Yoga Hatha Level I class is recommended. Health care and movement therapy professionals without a 200-hour Yoga certification, but with comparable experience (such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, Feldenkreis trainers, etc.) will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Upon receiving your application, we will review your information and will contact you with directions for completing your enrollment. A personal interview may be requested for those who are not currently active teachers or recent graduates of Integral Yoga, this interview is the final step in the application process and is required for admission to the program.

Technological Requirements

Please be advised that this training is delivered in a live online format.  Participants must have regular access to the internet and a computer or other device that supports audio/video functions and is able to run Zoom. An active personal email account is required to receive course materials and communications.

Certification and Yoga Alliance Affiliation

This course offers 100 hours of credit for the Integral Yoga 300-Hour Teaching Certification. Combine your 200-hour + 300-hour certifications to become eligible for Yoga Alliance RYT 500.