Terri Leonard, Adaptive Yoga Teacher

 

What is Adaptive Yoga?

 

Adaptive yoga is the practice of transforming a traditional yoga practice into one better suited, more comfortable, and ultimately more beneficial for people with disabilities. Through the use of props, partial postures or movements, pranayama (breathing practice), and yoga-inspired body awareness exercises, the benefits of yoga are made available to students, regardless of ability.

 

In adaptive yoga classes, we practice in straight-back chairs, wheelchairs, standing with supports if required, or on the floor, depending on the needs of the students. In some classes, we may work at a variety of levels. We use straps, bolsters, blankets, blocks, and chairs to make necessary modifications for the most comfort and benefit of each student. The needs of the students determine the goals of each adaptive class.

 

Adaptive classes welcome adults with neurological or autoimmune disorders, arthritis, mental-health issues, brain injury, stroke, chronic pain, and other disabilities. Yoga classes can also be adapted for children with developmental disorders, sensory processing issues, autism spectrum, and ADD/ADHD.

 

Jai Shanti Yoga Studio and Adaptive Yoga

 

Jai Shanti is the only studio in the metro Atlanta area to offer adaptive yoga. The studio is dedicated to the idea of offering yoga to those with disabilities. Class cost is reduced to help those without the ability to pay. The class meets weekly at the studio. Restrooms, entrance, and floor space are accessible for those using assistive devices. Parking is on the street or, by special permission, in the back parking lot. The weekly adaptive class is for adults, many of whom have Multiple Sclerosis.

 

Adaptive Yoga Class: Tuesdays 9:30-11:00am

 

About Terri

 

Certifications and Trainings

 

 

Terri is currently a Candidate Certified Yoga Therapist (CCYT) with Professional Yoga Therapy Studies, NC.

 

Resources for Adaptive Yoga

 

Yoga Heals UsMS and yoga website written by a yoga teacher with MS; adaptive teacher directory; multi-media resources; monthly newsletter.
 
You Can Do It Yoga For MSWritten by a yoga teacher with MS; multi-media resources.
 
The Chaya for Life CenterWebsite of yoga teacher who teaches adaptive classes for people with MS and other disabilities; other yoga-related resources.
 
Yoga Therapy CenterWebsite of Stuctural Yoga Therapy; adaptive teacher directory; case studies for various disabilities.
 
Yoga MSMS and yoga website written by teacher with MS; photos illustrate adaptive postures; articles about yoga and MS; other resources.
 
Matthew SandfordInspirational website written by a person with spinal cord injury who teaches yoga and mind/body connection.
 
I am not a messWritten by a yoga teacher with MS; motivational materials about mind-body connection; multi-media resources.
 
RehabYoga 
 
East West RehabWebsites geared more for therapeutic practitioners rather than clients as material tends to be more technical, medical.

 

 

Articles & In the News

 

“The benefits of adaptive yoga as an alternative therapy for Children with Special needs”

 

Parenting Special Needs, www.parentingspecialneeds.org, Sept/Oct 2009.

 

CNN Article and podcast about adaptive yoga

 

CNN segment for “Accent on Health”, produced for clinic and health care facility waiting rooms. (“Adaptive yoga”, August 2008) This segment is not on the CNN website, but can be reproduced for review.

 

Shepherd Center article about adaptive yoga http://www.shepherd.org/publications (Summer 2008, search “yoga”)

 

Physical Therapy article about adaptive yoga