Yoga is for all of us.
Join celebrated yoga teacher and social justice activist Dianne Bondy for a series of workshops that make yoga an inclusive practice for all shapes, sizes, and abilities. Through in-depth and open forum discussions, practical hands-on asana labs, and interactive yoga practices, you’ll learn how to deconstruct the values, norms, and perceptions that guide the current western view of yoga, beauty, and success.
This workshop is appropriate for everyone, from beginning yoga students to advanced teachers. Let’s finally bridge the cultural divides that keep us segregated. By the end of this weekend, teachers will learn how to apply the principles and practices of yoga in order to create inclusive spaces where all bodies are invited to the yoga mat. Learn how to structure accessible yoga classes using socially informed language, innovative modifications, and conscious movement.
The bottom line of this work is to broaden the current yoga culture so that it invites individuals who are currently on the sidelines into the center of the heart of yoga.
SCHEDULE:
The Principles of Diversity, Inclusion, and Social Justice:
Friday evening 6:30p - 8:30p, $55
An engaging conversation that delves into the topics of yoga, diversity and body image. This discussion provides a solid foundation for the in-depth explorations that follow in later modules. Topics include:
Engaging underserved communities: How do we invite others to the practice?
Understanding, dismantling bias our cultural beliefs.
Exploring ideas of institutional and personal racism and how it limits our lives through the lens of yoga.
What is diversity in yoga and who gets to define it?
Where do yoga, social justice, and body image intersect in changing the current social structures?
Why are some bodies deemed more valuable than others?
Perceptions of yoga in the media.
Strategies to help combat the “yoga body” narrative.
Creating cultural understanding and connection
Creating Accessible Yoga Spaces
Saturday early afternoon 12:30p - 3:00p, $65
We will begin to uncover practical methods and strategies to help you engage with individuals in the underserved community. This discussion will provide you with actionable tools to help you take your yoga off the mat and into your community. We will cover:
The power of language.
Consent on the mat.
Methods of teaching in non-traditional spaces.
Accessible yoga class planning and execution.
Teaching from the 8 limbs of yoga: How he Yamas and Niyamas support and promote inclusion and accessibility.
Yoga for Body Positivity and Self Acceptance
Saturday late afternoon 3:30p - 6:00p, $65
Building on the topics discussed in the proceeding modules, this segment provides practical instructions and cues to help you build and structure yoga classes that focus specifically on the themes of body positivity and self-acceptance. This module is delivered in a practicum style, as you will be invited to integrate the learning material on your yoga mat. We will cover:
How to create inclusive and innovative warm-ups.
Innovative and inclusive ways to incorporate props.
Taking Action: asana break, modifications and variations for the following postures:
Standing poses.
Seated, twists and supine poses.
Transitions.
Sun Salutes for all bodies.
Chair yoga.
Innovative sequencing.
Accessible Vinyasas.
Yoga at the Wall
Yoga, Consciousness, and Social Justice – Sunday early afternoon
Sunday afternoon 12:30p - 3:30p, $80
Let’s explore yoga for all levels, shapes, and sizes, as an expression of joyful movement. Working in a non-competitive environment, this practice will be brave and supportive. During this practice, you will learn how to observe your students through a new and more attuned lens. You’ll learn how to instruct your students so that they are empowered to connect with and listen to their bodies. As you progress through this practice, you’ll discover your inner strength while exploring the path to self-acceptance.
Bring your questions, your ideas and your asana and let’s flow freely as we share in this inspiring practice.
$250 for the full weekend
Dianne Bondy is a leading voice in the Yoga For All movement. Her inclusive view of yoga asana and philosophy inspires and empowers thousands of followers around the world - regardless of their shape, size, ethnicity, or level of ability.
She applies over 1000 hours of training to help her students find freedom, self-expression and radical self-love in their yoga practice. She shares her message and provides millions of followers with affordable access to online yoga classes, workshops and tutorials at her virtual studio: Yogasteya.com. Dianne contributes to Yoga International, Yoga Journal, Do You Yoga, and Elephant Journal. She is featured and profiled in International media outlets: The Guardian, Huffington Post, Cosmopolitan, and more. She is a spokesperson for diversity in yoga and yoga for larger bodies, as seen in her work with Pennington’s, Gaiam, and the Yoga & Body Image Coalition. Her work is published in the books: Yoga and Body Image, and Yes Yoga Has Curves.
We are thrilled and honored to welcome her back to our community for a second weekend intensive.