Course Outline: Wheelchair Yoga Teacher Training and Certification Program

Chapter 1 – Introduction and Welcome

Module 1 Welcome and Overview
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Welcome  
Unit 2 Wheelchair Yoga - Teacher Team  
Unit 3 Wheelchair Yoga - Program Overview  
Unit 4 Wheelchair Yoga - Course Objectives  
Unit 5 Wheelchair Yoga - Course Structure and Navigation  
Module 2 Teaching Wheelchair Yoga
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Intro to Yoga  
Unit 2 Wheelchair Yoga - Types of Yoga for Wheelchair Yogis  
Unit 3 Wheelchair Considerations and Support Props  
Unit 4 Wheelchair Yoga - Challenges to Accessible Yoga  
Module 3 Teacher Survey
Unit 1 Wheelchair Pilot Teacher Survey  

Chapter 2 – Anatomy & Physiology

Module 1 Anatomy and Physiology
Unit 1 Anatomy and Physiology Overview  
Module 2 The Nervous System
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Overview of the Nervous System  
Unit 2 Yoga and the Nervous System  
Module 3 Neuroplasticity
Unit 1 Introduction to Neuroplasticity  
Module 4 Functions of the Spine
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Overview of Spine and Functions  

Chapter 3 – Mobility Disabilities

Module 1 Overview of Mobility Disabilities
Unit 1 Types of Mobility Disabilities  
Unit 2 Types of Paralysis  
Module 2 Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)
Unit 1 An Overview of SCI (Spinal Cord Injury)  
Unit 2 Symptoms, Conditions and Side Effects of SCI  
Module 3 Strokes
Unit 1 Overview of Strokes  
Unit 2 Stroke Recovery  
Module 4 Multiple Sclerosis
Unit 1 Overview of Multiple Sclerosis  
Module 5 Reference Charts
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Vertebra, Nerves and Body Map Functions  
Module 6 Wheelchair Yoga - Quiz 1
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Quiz 1  

Chapter 4 – Common Issues and Conditions in Wheelchair Users

Module 1 Introduction to Conditions
Unit 1 Overview of Common Issues and Conditions  
Module 2 Common Issues and Conditions found in Wheelchair Users
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yogis and Balance Issues  
Unit 2 Issues with muscle tone and tightness for wheelchair users  
Unit 3 Side effects of long-term Wheelchair use  
Unit 4 Aging with a Disability  

Chapter 5 – Benefits of Yoga for Wheelchair Users

Module 1 Benefits of Exercise for Paralysis
Unit 1 Overview of Health Benefits  
Module 2 Empowerment Through Yoga
Unit 1 Benefit: Improved Breathing  
Unit 2 Benefit: Improved Circulation  
Unit 3 Benefit: Improved Digestion  
Unit 4 Benefit: Maintain Muscle Length  
Unit 5 Benefit: Increased Muscle Strength  
Module 3 Wheelchair Yoga - Quiz 2
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Quiz 2  

Chapter 6 – Methods and Philosophies of Teaching Wheelchair Yoga

Module 1 Teaching Methodology - Movement Philosophies
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Movement Philosophies  
Module 2 Teaching Methodology - Teaching Philosophies
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Teaching Philosophies  
Unit 2 Wheelchair Video Pose Library - Patterns and Coordination  
Module 3 Working with Wheelchair Users
Unit 1 Lessons Learned  
Unit 2 Wheelchair Yoga - Partner Assists  
Unit 3 Wheelchair User Transfer Discussion  
Module 4 Planning and Delivering a Wheelchair Yoga Class
Unit 1 Methodology and Considerations in Planning a Wheelchair Yoga Class  
Unit 2 Standing and Sitting Poses for Integrated Classes  
Module 5 Teaching Wheelchair Yoga in Senior Care Facilities with Sherry Zak Morris
Unit 1 Introduction to Senior Care Facilities and Yoga Teaching Guidelines   
Unit 2 Teaching Wheelchair Yoga in Senior Care Facilities - Upper Body Movements  
Unit 3 Teaching Wheelchair Yoga in Senior Care Facilities - Lower Body  

Chapter 7 – Yoga Poses by Anatomy

Module 1 Wheelchair Yoga Video Vignettes
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga Video Vignettes  
Module 2 Head and Neck
Unit 1 Pose and Video Library - Head and Neck  
Module 3 Fingers, Hands and Dexterity
Unit 1 Pose and Video Library - Fingers, Hands and Dexterity  
Module 4 Shoulders and Arms
Unit 1 Pose and Video Library - Arms and Shoulders  
Module 5 Spine
Unit 1 Pose and Video Library - Spine - Twists, Bends, Laterals  
Module 6 Hips, Legs and Feet
Unit 1 Pose and Video Library - Hips, Legs and Feet  
Module 7 Quiz: Student Progress & Feedback Survey
Unit 1 Quiz: Quiz: Student Progress & Feedback Survey  

Chapter 8 – Deep Dive Topics

Module 1 Use of Props
Unit 1 Prop Overview  
Unit 2 Video Prop Library - Use of Sticks  
Unit 3 Video Prop Library - Use of Z-Beds  
Unit 4 Video Prop Library - Use of Blocks, Belts and Bolsters  
Module 2 Pranayama Practices
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Pranayama Overview  
Unit 2 Video Pose Library - Pranayama and Breathwork Sequences  
Unit 3 Video Library - Deep Dive Pranayama Practices  
Module 3 Meditation Tools
Unit 1 Meditation  
Unit 2 Mindfulness Practice  
Unit 3 Visualization  
Module 4 Yoga Nidra
Unit 1 Yoga Nidra  
Module 5 Wheelchair Yoga - Quiz 3
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Quiz 3  

Chapter 9 – Wheelchair Yoga Class Library

Module 1 Full Wheelchair Yoga Classes
Unit 1 Video Library - Full Wheelchair Yoga Classes  
Module 2 Wheelchair Adaptations when in a Group Yoga Class
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - How Wheelchair Yogis Can Adapt in Group Yoga Classes  
Module 3 A Private Wheelchair Yoga Class
Unit 1 Example of a Private Wheelchair Yoga Session with Nina  
Module 4 Personal Practice Poses for your Wheelchair Yogi
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Personal Practice Yoga Poses  
Module 5 Wheelchair Yoga Teacher Pilot Team - Zoom Call
Unit 1 WCYTT Zoom Call - Sharing Experiences and Insights with each other  

Chapter 10 – Teacher Tools and Tips

Module 1 Wheelchair Etiquette
Unit 1 Disability Etiquette - Engaging People with Disabilities  
Module 2 Marketing to the disability community
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Liability and Release Waiver  
Module 3 External Resources
Unit 1 Other Resources  
Module 4 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Unit 1 FAQ  

Wheelchair Yoga Final Exam and Teachback

Module 1 Teachback
Unit 1 Wheelchair Yoga - Teachback  
Module 2 Final Program Feedback
Unit 1 Final Program Feedback