Yoga for All Abilities – 95H Certification Program Part 1: The Sonia Sumar Method (Formerly Yoga for the Special Child)
Yoga for All Abilities – 95H Certification Program Part 1: The Sonia Sumar Method (Formerly Yoga for the Special Child)
Up to 30 in group
May 21 - 26, 2027
Retreat Highlights
- Learn the Sonia Sumar Method directly from its pioneer, Sivakami Sonia Sumar, and lead teacher Renata Sumar Gaertner.
- Adapt breath, movement, sound, and relaxation safely for children with diverse needs.
- Study developmental stages, safety, and contraindications for specific conditions.
- Practice through live teaching demonstrations, video case studies, and hands-on work with the method.
- Complete the first half of the 95-hour certification, with C-IAYT continuing education credit.
About this Retreat
Sivakami Sonia Sumar is internationally known as the pioneer of Yoga therapy for children with special needs. She developed the Sonia Sumar Method nearly 50 years ago, beginning with her work with her daughter, Roberta, and has since trained Yoga teachers, therapists, educators, and parents around the world. She received the name Sivakami from Sri Swami Satchidananda and first came to Yogaville in 1990. She has owned and directed Yoga centers in Brazil and Chicago, and her book, Yoga for the Special Child, has been published in several languages.
Renata Sumar Gaertner began practicing Yoga as a toddler alongside her mother, Sivakami Sonia Sumar. She completed her first Hatha Yoga teacher training at 12 and began teaching at 15. She trained in Yoga for children with special needs in 1989, and after Sri Swami Satchidananda’s visit to Brazil in 1990 she spent time at Yogaville. She holds a degree in speech therapy, and her thesis examined Yoga as a developmental aid for children with Down syndrome. She directed the Integral Yoga Center in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, before moving to the United States in 2007. Today she is the owner, program director, and lead teacher of The Sonia Sumar Method – Yoga for All Abilities.
Details of this retreat
Inclusive yoga for children of every ability, taught by its pioneer.
This six-day certification training teaches the Sonia Sumar Method, a gentle therapeutic yoga for children with autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and other additional needs. Yoga teachers, therapists, educators, and parents will learn to adapt breath, movement, sound, and relaxation safely for each child, and begin teaching with confidence.
Sivakami Sonia Sumar developed her method nearly 50 years ago, beginning with her work with her daughter, Roberta. Rooted in classical Hatha Yoga, it includes chanting and voice work, eye exercises, pranayama, asana, deep relaxation, and yoga nidra, each adapted to the child's development and own rhythm. Known for decades as Yoga for the Special Child, the method is now taught worldwide as Yoga for All Abilities. Sivakami returns to Yogaville with her daughter Renata Sumar Gaertner, the program's director and lead teacher.
What You'll Experience
Classical Hatha, adapted — breathing, sound, movement, and relaxation reshaped for different bodies and needs.
Developmental stages — how the practice changes from infancy through early childhood.
Observation and relationship — reading each child's cues and building trust as the basis of practice.
Safety and contraindications — which practices to modify or avoid for specific conditions.
Voice, eyes, and breath — chanting, eye exercises, and pranayama for focus, calm, and development.
Deep relaxation and yoga nidra — guided rest adapted for children who need extra support.
Teaching demonstrations — live practice, video case studies, and hands-on work with the method.
You Will Leave With
The foundations of the Sonia Sumar Method
Adapted practices for children with diverse needs
A clear understanding of safety and contraindications
The first half of your 95-hour certification
Who This Is For
This training welcomes yoga teachers and students, occupational, physical, and speech therapists, special education teachers and aides, health professionals, and parents and caregivers of children with additional needs. No prior yoga teaching certification is required. Families are welcome to learn the method for use at home.
Open to teachers, therapists, educators, and families.
Curriculum
Foundations and philosophy of the Sonia Sumar Method
Classical Hatha Yoga as the basis of the method
Stages of child development
Breathing, sound, and chanting
Eye exercises
Adapted asana
Deep relaxation and yoga nidra
Observation, attention, and relationship
Safety and contraindications
Adapting tools for individual students
Working with families
Prerequisites
None. This training is open to all. Part 1 must be completed before Part 2, and guided practice between the two parts is part of the certification.
Please note: This is a live, in-person training. To protect the method and the privacy of the children and families discussed, sessions may not be recorded, livestreamed, transcribed, or photographed as instructional content.
Continuing Education
Yoga Alliance: the full 95-hour program (Parts 1 and 2) meets the educational requirements for Registered Children's Yoga Teacher (RCYT)
IAYT: approved for C-IAYT continuing education credit. Part 1: approximately 48 contact hours
IYTA CE certificate: $10 fee (free for members), ce@iyta.org
Certification requirements: completion of Parts 1 and 2 plus guided practice between them
What Participants Say
“An excellent program—clear, comprehensive, and compassionate. I was particularly impressed by the profound transformation in Sonia’s students, which came as a direct result of their practicing Yoga.” ~Dean Ornish, M.D.
“I found this to be a phenomenal program. Sonia Sumar Method of teaching, modeling, and presenting was heartfelt. The most important nugget I will take from this program are the five keys of life: connection, patience, fearlessness, love, and trust.” ~Johnnie S.
“Sonia Sumar’s Yoga for the Special Child program combined with staying at Yogaville changed my life and way of thinking for the better. It was a positive mind and body connection. I was able to fully immerse and better myself so that I can better the lives of others.” ~Tabitha T.
“This was a great experience and amazing training. I am very new to Yoga and I now plan to continue practicing both personally and professionally with much dedication.” ~Monica J.
Tentative Schedule
All activities at the Satchidananda Ashram in Yogaville, Virginia Ashram are structured around the daily schedule of the ashram which includes meditation and Hatha Yoga each morning and evening prior to breakfast and dinner, as well as noon meditation held in Guru Bhavahan and Lotus prior to lunch.
Time
Activity
5:30 AM
Wake up
6:00 – 6:30 AM
Meditation
6:40 – 8:10 AM
Hatha Yoga
8:15 – 9:15 AM
Breakfast
9:30 – 11:20 AM
Morning Session
11:20 – 11:30 AM
Announcements
11:45 AM
Van leaves for LOTUS (behind VV dorms)
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Noon Meditation
12:45 – 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Study/Free Time
3:00 – 5:45 PM
Afternoon Session
6:00 – 6:30 PM
Yoga Nidra or Meditation
6:35 – 7:15 PM
Dinner
7:30 – 9:00 PM
Evening Session
9:30 PM
Academy building closes
10:00 PM
Lights Out
This six-day certification training teaches the Sonia Sumar Method, a gentle therapeutic yoga for children with autism, ADHD, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, developmental delays, and other additional needs. Yoga teachers, therapists, educators, and parents will learn to adapt breath, movement, sound, and relaxation safely for each child, and begin teaching with confidence.
Sivakami Sonia Sumar developed her method nearly 50 years ago, beginning with her work with her daughter, Roberta. Rooted in classical Hatha Yoga, it includes chanting and voice work, eye exercises, pranayama, asana, deep relaxation, and yoga nidra, each adapted to the child's development and own rhythm. Known for decades as Yoga for the Special Child, the method is now taught worldwide as Yoga for All Abilities. Sivakami returns to Yogaville with her daughter Renata Sumar Gaertner, the program's director and lead teacher.
What You'll Experience
Classical Hatha, adapted — breathing, sound, movement, and relaxation reshaped for different bodies and needs.
Developmental stages — how the practice changes from infancy through early childhood.
Observation and relationship — reading each child's cues and building trust as the basis of practice.
Safety and contraindications — which practices to modify or avoid for specific conditions.
Voice, eyes, and breath — chanting, eye exercises, and pranayama for focus, calm, and development.
Deep relaxation and yoga nidra — guided rest adapted for children who need extra support.
Teaching demonstrations — live practice, video case studies, and hands-on work with the method.
You Will Leave With
The foundations of the Sonia Sumar Method
Adapted practices for children with diverse needs
A clear understanding of safety and contraindications
The first half of your 95-hour certification
Who This Is For
This training welcomes yoga teachers and students, occupational, physical, and speech therapists, special education teachers and aides, health professionals, and parents and caregivers of children with additional needs. No prior yoga teaching certification is required. Families are welcome to learn the method for use at home.
Open to teachers, therapists, educators, and families.
Curriculum
Foundations and philosophy of the Sonia Sumar Method
Classical Hatha Yoga as the basis of the method
Stages of child development
Breathing, sound, and chanting
Eye exercises
Adapted asana
Deep relaxation and yoga nidra
Observation, attention, and relationship
Safety and contraindications
Adapting tools for individual students
Working with families
Prerequisites
None. This training is open to all. Part 1 must be completed before Part 2, and guided practice between the two parts is part of the certification.
Please note: This is a live, in-person training. To protect the method and the privacy of the children and families discussed, sessions may not be recorded, livestreamed, transcribed, or photographed as instructional content.
Continuing Education
Yoga Alliance: the full 95-hour program (Parts 1 and 2) meets the educational requirements for Registered Children's Yoga Teacher (RCYT)
IAYT: approved for C-IAYT continuing education credit. Part 1: approximately 48 contact hours
IYTA CE certificate: $10 fee (free for members), ce@iyta.org
Certification requirements: completion of Parts 1 and 2 plus guided practice between them
What Participants Say
“An excellent program—clear, comprehensive, and compassionate. I was particularly impressed by the profound transformation in Sonia’s students, which came as a direct result of their practicing Yoga.” ~Dean Ornish, M.D.
“I found this to be a phenomenal program. Sonia Sumar Method of teaching, modeling, and presenting was heartfelt. The most important nugget I will take from this program are the five keys of life: connection, patience, fearlessness, love, and trust.” ~Johnnie S.
“Sonia Sumar’s Yoga for the Special Child program combined with staying at Yogaville changed my life and way of thinking for the better. It was a positive mind and body connection. I was able to fully immerse and better myself so that I can better the lives of others.” ~Tabitha T.
“This was a great experience and amazing training. I am very new to Yoga and I now plan to continue practicing both personally and professionally with much dedication.” ~Monica J.
Tentative Schedule
All activities at the Satchidananda Ashram in Yogaville, Virginia Ashram are structured around the daily schedule of the ashram which includes meditation and Hatha Yoga each morning and evening prior to breakfast and dinner, as well as noon meditation held in Guru Bhavahan and Lotus prior to lunch.
Time
Activity
5:30 AM
Wake up
6:00 – 6:30 AM
Meditation
6:40 – 8:10 AM
Hatha Yoga
8:15 – 9:15 AM
Breakfast
9:30 – 11:20 AM
Morning Session
11:20 – 11:30 AM
Announcements
11:45 AM
Van leaves for LOTUS (behind VV dorms)
12:00 – 12:30 PM
Noon Meditation
12:45 – 1:30 PM
Lunch
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Study/Free Time
3:00 – 5:45 PM
Afternoon Session
6:00 – 6:30 PM
Yoga Nidra or Meditation
6:35 – 7:15 PM
Dinner
7:30 – 9:00 PM
Evening Session
9:30 PM
Academy building closes
10:00 PM
Lights Out
Getting Here
Accommodation
Shared Dormitory: Bottom Bunk
Bottom bunk in a shared dorm room. Dorm rooms contain 4-8 beds. Shared bathroom Dorm rooms are not coed Availability is Gender Specific. Stairs are required.
Private Dormitory
This is a private room with a shared bathroom in our Ramalinga Nilayam Dorm - Females Only
LOTUS Guest House
A Private Room with a Private Bath. All rooms come with a desk and chair.
Camp-Site
Set off in a quiet, wooded area adjacent to the Lotus Guest Houses are Eighteen campsites. Campers have use of the nearby bathhouse as well as laundry facilities at the LGH Building 3. Also, all camp-sites have tent platforms for a more comfortable and dry tenting experience. Price is per person per night.
Please bring your own tent, tie downs, tarp (weather protection). bedding and towels.
What's Included
- Accomodations
- Meals
- Meditation Sessions
- Yoga Classes
What's Not Included
- Transportation
- Airfare
