Yoga for All Abilities – 95H Certification Program Part 1: The Sonia Sumar Method (Formerly Yoga for the Special Child)

Inclusive yoga for children of every ability, taught by its pioneer.

This six-day training, Part 1 of the 95-hour certification, 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 develop a strong foundation for beginning guided practice with children ages 0–12, while preparing for Part 2, which addresses work with individuals ages 13 and older.

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 Sonia Sumar 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.
The four developmental stages — how the practice changes as a child grows, from infancy through age 12.
Observation and relationship — learning to observe and evaluate each child, 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
Completion of Part 1 and a clear understanding of the guided practice required before Part 2

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, rooted in classical Hatha Yoga
The four developmental stages
Learning to observe and evaluate the individual student
The teacher’s attitude and the importance of the teacher-student relationship
Breathing, sound and chanting, eye exercises, adapted asana, deep relaxation, and yoga nidra
Safely adapting and accommodating the practices for each individual
Working with parents and families
Guided-practice requirements and the next steps following Part 1

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
IYTA CE certificate: $10 fee (free for members), ce@iyta.org
Certification requirements: completion of Parts 1 and 2 plus guided practice between them

Tentative Daily Schedule

Breakfast: 8:30–9:00 a.m.
Training: 9:00–11:30 a.m.
Leave for meditation: 11:30 a.m.
Meditation: 12:00–12:30 p.m.
Lunch: 1:00–2:00 p.m.
Training: 2:00–6:00 p.m.
Dinner: 6:30–7:30 p.m.

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.

“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.