Taking the Yoga For All course opened my eyes to how typical yoga trainings are designed for a very specific kind of body (thin, fit, and able-bodied- and often portrayed as a white female). My teaching was expanded to consider the many possibilities that people may be walking into a yoga class with and how I might be able to create a safe space that meets them where they are and helps them move and connect in with their body as it is.
Whether you are a student who feels left out of yoga spaces, or a teacher who feels they are not serving the array of students who show up to their classes, you MUST take Dianne and Amber’s training.~Robin Ralph
It was a piece I was missing! I took the training as I was in my 200hr and was able to bring many of the things I learned to that space to help my fellow teachers as well.
~Tiffani Wade
I was ecstatic when I discovered your course. Yoga publications lead people (perhaps not intentionally) to believe that those who practice yoga must look a certain way and move a certain way. Although, I am a certified instructor, you Dianne, were the first person I met who publicly proclaimed that there was no one “body type” to benefit from yoga. That totally changed my perspective. Before that, I was striving to make my body conform to postures not designed for me. Learning modifications was huge.
JUST DO IT! It will be beneficial.
~Belinda Todd
I would recommend this for all teachers, to meet the broad needs of all students. I learned to be more sensitive and affirming in my cueing. I learned to help my students find the shape of a pose in order to access the intended stretch and strengthening in a pose.
Taking the Yoga For All Certification Course was NOT about memorizing a finite set of poses and their intended uses. It was about learning to think through each pose so I can help any student in any body benefit from yoga.
You have to take Diane and Amber’s class! It will make you a better teacher for everybody & every body that unrolls their mat in your class. You will be a vessel of change for those who have struggled in traditional yoga poses and classes.
~C. Lorilise Wood-Scarborough
My preferred yoga students are those that have a condition that requires me to get creative with their practice, such as stroke survivors. The Yoga for All course gave me excellent tools to use as a teacher, and being part of the training helped me to find my voice as a yogini that believes in and actively practices social justice.
Dianne exemplifies what is right in the world. She is a superb yoga instructor and she takes her love of yoga and the philosophy of yoga off the mat and into everyday life. Dianne is a role model for standing up for what you believe in. I highly recommend her as a teacher – she is knowledgeable and inspiring!.
~Julie Hoffman
Wow! I had tears a few times as I listened to and felt the intention behind the words in the first lesson. I’m pretty selective with the teachers I choose and thought I was being careful in deciding which classes to attend. It seems I was just donning an invisibility cloak of denial and defense against the unspoken (and sometimes spoken) expectations and judgement. I didn’t realize the slow-moving and cumulative toll they were taking on my power and self-worth. Thank you for this training! I can’t wait to be a different kind of teacher and share this gift of inclusive yoga.
~Lisa Parks
I have a student who had a stroke. She feels disabled, has trouble with proprioception as well as tightness and imbalance in her body. While some of those things will always be challenges, she has come to enjoy working with them instead of feeling discouraged. Her trainer tells her whatever her yoga teacher is telling her, keep doing that because she is stronger all the time. I really appreciate Dianne’s ability to articulate the concept that yoga is for everyone.
~Martha Gurvich
One of my students had a breakthrough. I shared a new version of Sun Salutation that was taught in one of the first modules of Yoga For All. She started crying with joy because it was completely accessible to her. She was so grateful to have completed a full sun salutation. This course has changed me, the manner in which I teach and the breadth of what I do and how many I can share the benefit and joys of yoga with!
~Rachel Holdgrafer
Oh my gosh ! This first day has my heart you guys. I may or may not have cried! I read, listened and downloaded [the materials]. I also took 8 pages of notes! Wow!!
~Rebecca Simms
I am definitely less critical of my own practice and what I now know constitutes a yoga practice. Not all yoga happens on the mat. Having a deeper practice actually involves [my] bringing yoga with me everywhere I go. Moving forward, my teaching will be more inclusive and accessible for those yogis who don’t fit in the ‘traditional’ yogi mold. It’s very exciting to be able to think outside the box and teach classes and workshops that inspire and enable vs. just focusing on the fitness side of yoga.
~Jodi Lebrun
I am already using some of your suggestions in my classes. Example: acknowledging own genetic privilege. I am able to reach past my feet in paschimottanasana– but ONLY because my legs are very short and my torso/upper body is longer than my legs/lower body. When I tell my students that, I often see relief and acceptance. It is wonderful. Can’t wait to keep learning. THANK YOU Dianne & Amber!
~Emily Walkup
OMG! Just finished listening to M1L1. I have the biggest case of the feels right now! I will have to listen again and again!
~Kristen McCutcheon
Thank you for a great class! This is my first on-line training, and I thought it went great! You have certainly set the standard very high for organization, information, and fun with web based courses.
~Tifini Floyd
So helpful with more useful content than I imagined there would be. Thorough, thought provoking, and so practical. And LOVE both Dianne and Amber!
I am so much kinder to myself in my own practice. I’ve been encouraged by the training and now practice more regularly. I am also very much more aware of differences in abilities and prepared to assist and guide others in a compassionate and helpful and empowering way.
~Lori Cartwright
Thank you Amber and Dianne! Really enjoyed the course and got a lot out of it – thank you so much for making it happen!!!
~Kanchi Wichmann
Hi my name is Kathryn. I’ve known far too many people who didn’t come to yoga because they felt they were unworthy of the practice for one reason or another. Thank you Dianne Bondy and Amber Karnes for the opportunity to explore making yoga more diverse, accepting, loving, compassionate, aware, awesome.
~Kathryn Ashworth
Don’t freak out if you are running behind or things come up. The content is available for a year and relevant to you and your practice for a lifetime. Take your time, take notes, experience the suggestions and use the group forum to ask questions. Take the classes to your students, don’t rush through, you don’t have to. When the student is ready, the teacher appears.
~Connie Reichert
After writing out my final on Friday, a new student walked into my Monday class: a woman probably in her 60’s, about 300+ lbs, who told me she has had work done to almost all of her joints (especially, as she put it, 2 blown out knees)–and I KNEW this was going to be my ACTUAL final!
I began by giving her a seed of happiness, then 2 blocks, a strap, and helped her place a chair on her mat. And this woman did absolutely EVERYTHING everyone else was doing…it was MIRACULOUS!!! It was the final I had turned in–living and breathing right before my very eyes! The modifications and adjustments came so easily to both of us, and the other students didn’t even seem to notice that another student was using a chair!
I cannot thank you enough. She was absolutely glowing after class—exhausted, but HAPPY–and she signed up to continue practicing with us! Without Yoga For All I might not have had any idea how to teach this beautiful woman–and I am so grateful.
~Margeua Steinau
I finished listening to session #1. I really enjoyed your style of teaching—very easy on the ears and easy to follow. There are so many jewels in this program. I know my level of teaching after this 5 weeks is going to be at 150 %! They say when the student is ready the teacher will show…I am A PHAT BODY YOGA TEACHER ♡♡
~Desiree Odom
I have two registered classes, two retreats, and demand for our plus-size classes has doubled in the last 2 1/2 years! Many of my students have amazing things happening—from getting up off the ground to blood pressure improvements. I love the nobody shaming movement!
~April Borne
I have been spending the afternoon reworking a class from my teacher training notes to teach King Pigeon. This morning I was at yoga and told my teacher (who taught my YTT) “hey, today I’m making a plan to teach King Pigeon in chair yoga!” She didn’t believe me until I ran her through it in under a minute of explanation. “No, see, it’s not about what the pose looks like, it’s which muscles you’re activating! You can totally activate all the right muscles in a chair!” (If you can’t tell, I’m having lots of fun!)
~Reidy Brown
I got my Certificate last week! I didn’t check in here immediately to say that I still learn something new every single time I watch, because I was finalizing details for my first retreat. I hadn’t had the courage to book it before, but I know I am informed and ready and can teach anybody that wants to join me. Thanks Dianne and Amber for this amazing work. Beyond grateful!
~Melissa Hite
The first module has left me with lots of thoughts. I pride myself on being a positive difference maker, compassionate nonjudgmental helper but yet I judge my belly, thighs and buttocks. I therefore judge other bodies too. I liked so many things about the first lessons…. a self-compassion study, all bodies are capable of health and wellness. Leave them in their greatness. Lots of thoughts last night and still here this morning. Thanks love my expansion?
~Beth Barrineau Ward
There are not enough words for how awesome this training has been. I plan to revisit the materials many times over the next year while I have access. I’m delighted that 2017 came with a chance to meet and practice with both of you in person, and that I was able to do this course. It’s been a great to add to my teaching toolbox, and I enjoy being part of the YFA community.
~Dylan Galos
I am 16 minutes into module 1, and have 4 pages of notes!! I feel like I am only now emerging l and seeing clearly. I have had a lot of these thoughts before, struggling with a positive body image myself. But the way Dianne communicates them brings new life and consciousness to Self. If I retain even the 7% that you mention, I will be a changed teacher and person.
~Kristin Frank
I just finished the first video, have 7 pages of notes, and am completely blown away by the abundance of wisdom Dianne and Amber have offered in just this first video! I’m feeling so grateful, and hopeful about the impact my teaching can make. Thank you!
~Barb Hamel
My biggest take away from Yoga For All was self-confidence. I’m so very happy I decided to sign up! I would recommend Yoga For All in a heartbeat and look forward to reviewing the materials again and again!
~Gloria Schwabe
I am so excited! I can’t tell you how relieved I am. I always doubt myself as a teacher even though my students love my classes. Thank you so much again for this amazing training and experience! I absolutely love listening to your ideas and advice! I am grinning from ear to ear!
~Kim Makin
The “bus stop” explanation was my “aha” moment. And I notice that every time I use it during my classes it becomes an “aha!” moment for someone else. If you believe that yoga is a practice that could be useful for everyBODY—every age, every size, every ability—this is the training for you!
~Valeria Tegoletto
I loved the training and I’m so excited to put it to use. Thank you so much for Yoga For All. I’m looking forward to going back and watching the videos quite a few times.
~Charlotte Easterling
I remember when I first came to the mat, my struggles were real, my body got in my way, my breath was non-existent. Fear almost made me quit. So when I became a teacher, I vowed to ensure this never happened in my classes. I want everyone to feel as though they are welcome to come as they are, and I’d be with them every step of the way.
~Tina Strieg
Since taking Yoga For All, every yogi in my class now touches the props so they become integrated into the flow and are not seen as a beginner option or cheat. Yoga For All will help you understand how to work with all body types in a way that promotes inclusivity without singling out any one student. The videos and tools provided are invaluable!
~Karen Felix
I tend to have a lot of students with wrist issues so I appreciated the confirmation that I am helping in a compassionate way with props. I frequently say these (props) are tools NOT crutches. BUT I LOVE the idea of asking the whole class to use the blocks in a flow just to feel it differently. I love to slow down too. Sometimes we get to the point of trying to be so creative that we forget we can use a slow Sun Salutation-based class sequence. I get great feedback when we do this. Thank you.
~Victoria Lynn
The Yoga for All Training has deepened my understand of teaching a class for all abilities. I use the bus stop method to teach asana and I can see from week to week that students remember what suits their body at each stage of their yoga bus ride. I prepare more, setting up the mat with the appropriate ‘tools’ before the students arrive; always having a backup plan and most of all, I don’t make assumptions about students ability!
Yoga for All has changed my teaching 100% for the better. After the training you’ll be able to teach rather than call out a series of asana which don’t reflect the students and bodies you see in a regular yoga class. Become a Yoga for All Warrior. Join us!
~Joanne Turner
I LOVE the idea that my “mat is where I have a cease-fire zone with my body.” When I am assisting there is always someone who is apologizing for their body not doing exactly what they think it should be doing. I offer to them that their mat is their traveling home and that they should do exactly what feels right to them just as they would in their own living room. It’s a good thing to remind myself of as well. Great lesson today. Thank you!
~Elizabeth Sosne
Jai, Jai, Jai Ma! As a teacher of teachers I am in awe of your ability and experience in anticipating areas of nurturing need in your participants. You go so much further than merely creating and holding a safe and inviting learning environment. It’s only day 1 and I’ve already learned so much.
~Stacy Oliver
Yoga For All taught me how to plan a class sequence that encourages students to take poses at their own pace, and to listen to their needs. Instead of directing people into the ‘full pose,’ I start at Bus Stop 1 as the full pose. For example, Tree with your foot on the ground as a kickstand *is* Tree. Period. Then, if students want to, we can perhaps work on going further through more Bus Stops (maybe balance for a moment, maybe put that foot on your lower leg). This technique has been life changing!
~Greta Kroeber
Wow! All I can say is wow and I’m inspired. Lesson one module one was like hearing things I may have already heard but for the first time. You ladies teach from your hearts and your passion comes out through your words. This class will most definitely help me be a better me but also a better teacher to everyone. I’m inspired!! Thank you!!!
~Kellie Tucker
This community is f*cking BEAUTIFUL. Every one of you are an inspiration to me. You make my heart so FULL! That is all. Carry on! 
~Michelle Lewis
Last night a subbed a gentle restorative yoga class. For the past several months I’ve been having chronic pain in my knees & foot which have taken a toll on me. I sat in my car before the class trying to get in a good frame of mind and ground myself in positivity for the students who will be sitting in class in front of me. I used the “prayer for my class” that Amber shared. As I was checking people in and greeting them, there was a woman who was brand new to the studio. She was in a bigger body and was visibly nervous about being there. She asked me, “Are you the teacher?” and when I answered that I was, her whole demeanor changed and she said, “Yes!” I guess no matter what we’re feeling, we are responsible for what energy we bring into a space, because it has an impact! Have a great day everyone?
~JoAnne Kazis