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 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.