Post Certification & Graduation

I recently took a course from Justine in Yoga for back care. It is one of the most wonderful courses I have ever taken. She takes such great care in explaining every step, every movement, every modification in a way that makes perfect sense.

More than her amazing way of teaching, she inspires me to be the best instructor I can be. Her humor, knowledge and obvious care for others is priceless. I am forever grateful for the gifts she gave me.

Corey is a treasure – I am SO glad to have had her support in this journey. Thanks to her encouragement, I am through the final exam. I just need to spend more time watching videos and continuing to build on what I’ve already done, and in the next month or so, I can record my teachback. I already know what I will be writing for my field assignment, based on two friends in my class.

The Park District thought it would be a great idea to partner up with the local hospital and to offer my class for free for 6 weeks! I already get around 20 people every Tuesday, and yet, they allowed 50 people to sign up! Over 60 people showed up!

I was encouraged by my family to embark on this wonderful adventure. I realized I would need to dedicate a lot of time and energy into this Yoga Vista Academy Program. However, Sherry Zak made it so easy and fun. She was there every step of the way (almost holding my hand). As I began the Program, I became more and more engrossed. It was so easy for me — the good music and fun dancing movements kept me engaged and motivated. In no time, I was able to choreograph my own dance. I am proud to say I was able to accomplish my goal sooner than I had anticipated. Thank you so very much Sherry for helping me achieve my dream.

I am almost done with the course work. I have been really enjoying the quality and thoroughness of the curriculum. I am currently teaching Gentle Yoga to students who are in their 50s- 80s in the community clubhouse here in N.C.. The course information has been so helpful. I have about 25-30 students that faithfully attend my classes and have fallen in love with benefits of Gentle Yoga to keep their aging bodies, minds, and spirits healthy.

I was brave and enrolled. I just wanted to tell you how much I am enjoying the course so far. I have only just started and it’s going to take a while as I work as well. But I can’t wait to get home at night and read or listen. Your knowledge is so inspiring. I just wanted to say thank you for running this course online. The videos and notes are amazing.

Just to let you know I am loving this course and so glad to have the Crown membership. What a wealth of information! I had originally wanted to do a 500 hr program but impossible to find one that fits the focus of a chair and gentle teacher who wants to focus on baby boomers and seniors and your program is the perfect solution. Thanks again and I am really enjoying it!

Before this project, I never REALLY looked at peoples’ posture very much. It’s amazing what I saw and learned from having to observe people and write this paper. Seems like everywhere I go now, I’m looking at a person’s posture and trying to figure out what the issues are and how to improve them. Thanks Sherry!

I LEARNED SO MUCH from this course! Justine beautifully presents high quality information here that is particularly special because it is infused with her own personal experiences with herself as well as her clients. I am truly inspired and cannot wait to get out there and work with and help people with back pain. I have chronic back pain as well so that was my first motivation for taking the course; to use it for myself. It has made me so much more aware and present in my own body and has definitely helped strengthen my core. Often after a course I might still feel not very confident with the material to start using it, but the homework assignments and teachback final really make sure you are ready with at least a good amount of the material. I am sure I will refer back to it over the years and will always find something new and useful. Thank you Justine, for sharing your knowledge, your humor, and your heart!

I am very happy with the course it is great and I highly recommend it to anybody. I improved my regular yoga classes and right now I am teaching two chair yoga classes one at the “Y” and the other one at the Seniors Center I absolutely love it. Seniors are great and the good part is that they appreciate it. I want to take this opportunity to THANK YOU. I was lucky to found you!

One of my favorite things Sherry is your great enthusiasm! It is very contagious! And anytime I am watching you with a group of people doing the class together, my heart melts…it’s so heartwarming watching those seniors following along and moving to the beat. I absolutely love it.

Every class I get compliments and my class sizes are steady and growing. Love it! So much to learn. I hope that I can figure out a way to do this full time!

Yes, most definitely enjoying the course. I have learned so much new material. You have a fountain of knowledge.

This workshop has greatly enhanced my knowledge on the correct steps to deal with arthritis issues and in each of my classes seniors have issues with knees, fingers and hands being the most common and I have thankfully seen the exercises bring long term benefits to the Seniors through the various exercises I’ve learned in the two on-line courses.

In 4 months, at the age of 53, I will finally leave my federal government job in order to follow my true passion of teaching chair, gentle and low back yoga. I am extremely grateful for your teacher certification that is allowing me to transition to a new chapter in my life. I continue to be impressed with your materials and teaching as each time I reread or repeat a video, I pick up something new.

Sherry and Justine, you have a distinct way of loving people through your programs. Every conversation or email throughout the process provided encouragement and affirmation that I was on the right path. I can see why you are successful— you care so very much. I’m honored to be a new member in your special sangha and look forward to the day when I’ll get to meet each of you in person and give you a great big hug. 🙂

I would like to thank you for offering such a wonderful course online. As I am going along and studying the material, I am learning so much about the body and the way to structure classes to help the older adults to stay active and live a more happy and healthy lifestyle.

This is my first online course. I was skeptical (of myself) to remain engaged and motivated. But the course has so many components (reading, videos) that it has kept me engaged. I really enjoy the Deep Dives. I know that in a day I can block off a couple hours to complete a module and hopefully incorporate something into my next class.

Your course is outstanding. I feel much more knowledgeable and have so many more tools to help me create chair yoga classes that people enjoy and also receive maximum benefit. I also learned very important information about how to make sure NOT to hurt people – very important! I downloaded the materials to continually reference but I will continue to go back to the videos.

Taking this class has been an amazing experience for me. I am impressed with the amount of past and ongoing research you have put into it. This is obviously a labor of love for you and you must know how many lives you have touched. The lessons are well constructed and easy to follow. Your positive attitude is infectious. I LOVE all the videos and watch at least one a day, whether it’s chair yoga, gentle yoga, somatics, or one of the educational clips. One of the things I most appreciate is the time you take to make the class personal. You responded immediately to every email I sent, answering my questions an offering encouragement. I also appreciated the time you took to thoroughly review my teachback and provide specific, helpful comments. Where do you find the time and energy for all this?!? I am amazed. Thank you so much for the work you do. You have personally blessed many lives, and your love and compassion is radiated to the world through all those you teach. You are a gem.

I am absolutely enjoying every moment of learning, and I am very impressed with your team’s skill-set in these videos, and how much information there is to try and soak up. I have added quite a bit to my personal practice as well as sprinkling a bunch in my chair yoga. I am not sure if you have heard this one yet, but the one module that brought some tears to my eyes, was the business and marketing of yoga video that you teach. Thank you for all that you do. We are all so very lucky that you took the baton.

I am teaching Chair Yoga classes and my students loved my classes, yet I felt something was missing and that I needed some basics that had to do with anatomy, safe practices and sequencing. When my plans to enroll in a 200 hour RYT didn’t work out, I decided to do the chair yoga certification with Sherry. This was exactly what I needed!

I had already felt a synergy and simpatico with the yoga vista team. I love teaching and I want my students to be safe, learn and have a joyous time! I want each class to be fresh and an in the moment experience for my students. I also want my students to grow stronger and healthier and be inspired. I felt I’d found a resource in yoga vista that also has the same goals and high standards and with great dedication and expertise.

I am not yet done, but I am enjoying the program very much. I think the thing that is different and that I like so much, is that it takes people where they’re at. I have gotten a little burnt out on the hard lines of strict Vinyasa flows. As we age it’s clear that limitations come up. Accepting them and staying positive seems key. You do such a wonderful job making the classes fun. I’m learning a lot just from your approach. Thanks for all your hard work!

I have loved this chair yoga online training! The website is so thorough and easy to use I was never in the dark on what was expected from me. I felt like I was set up from for success from day one. The handouts were vital to my success as well as the videos.

The wheelchair program has a lot of great information to give you quality training so you can be confident to teach wheelchair yogis. The videos are extremely helpful and it would definitely not be the same without videos in the training program. You will see how different abilities may affect how you modify poses and also to be creative with each teaching situation. I highly recommend this course so you can expand your chair yoga program not only to offer something that may not be available in your community but to further understand people who use wheelchairs so you can empower them to do yoga which can benefit their well being.

I have taught seniors many times in a yoga class but i took your course because OMG your anatomy, knowledge of diseases in the older population and how you empower the seniors to try different postures….I love love loved this course.

Great Stuff! The content is world class, and I loved the option to read and watch the video at the same time. Super organized and easy to follow. The sections build on one another nicely. Definitely felt like a good value. Super glad that I can go back and watch the videos whenever I want to. That is a huge selling point.

Yoga Vista Academy continues to embrace and evolve teaching criteria and information for accessible asana. I chose Vista Academy’s Chair Teacher Program because they acknowledge the style of yoga I teach (Anusara) which tells me they are connected to other styles of yoga and collaborate with other related studies (somatics, massage, physical therapy, etc). Yoga Vista Academy is all about community which is manifested in their newsletter. They are willing to share the art of accessible asana through their newsletter and through this Chair Yoga Teacher Training.

I can honestly say that I’ve never had such a pleasant learning experience. I feel as if I have learned so much more through your program than I did in my 200 hour teacher training. The content was well presented, pertinent and informative. As someone who has struggled with figuring out how she best learns this program was very accessible.

Combine that with the incredible feeling of support, enthusiasm, and downright compassion that comes through in all that you (and all those involved in the program) do .. and you have one heck of a program!

Delving into the course material over the span of about five months helped me learn the importance of the “why” behind each movement and communicate that to the seniors I teach. As I continued through the course I applied what I learned in my classes which made them fresh and vibrant each time. I have significantly expanded my movement repertoire and confidence regardless of my audience size or level. I am better equipped to pull up whatever is needed to meet the group or person in front of me.

The course material is meticulous, well organized and infused with live vignettes and lots of subject matter experts in related fields. The handouts and multidimensional libraries of anatomy and poses are just wonderful! I think it’s a win win for all yoga teachers wherever you are in your practice and teaching.

First let me say that I am thoroughly enjoying all the information in the Chair Yoga course. I am blown away! The 20 hour anatomy portion is VERY informational and highly applicable to treating my patients… As an occupational therapist.

Yoga Vista Academy has a way about making you feel like you are a part of the yoga family. I couldn’t get enough of the videos and information. I am a visual person so having the videos were essential to my learning. Not only are they informational, they are enjoyable to watch and see the different personalities of each teacher. One day I called Yoga Vista to ask a question and I was thinking I would get an answering machine or something like that. Low and behold Sherry picked up!! I was so impressed and a little shocked. I can not say enough about the Academy. Well done from start to finish!!

I wish you had more courses. I have now taken all of them. Except for gentle yoga because there is alot of overlap. I think you guys are awesome. You have changed my path in my life. I am not going back to my nursing job because of you. I have been trying to figure out what I love for so long. I am, and always will be a nurse and I am finding that people love that I am a nurse and have gotten a few classes because of it!! So, a million thanks again. I know you are sick of me praising you, but you and Sherry have really changed my life!! Thank you again!!!

I have found the material very helpful. It is informative, clear and easy to understand. I only wish I had this info during my 200 hr YTT! It is filling in the missing gap of my anatomy knowledge, especially as it applies to yoga!

I enjoyed the Anatomy Module. I knew a lot of the basic anatomy already, but I really appreciated tying that to the problems that Seniors have and then showing why certain poses helped with these problems. It is great to have all of this in a coherent, organized form. I will refer back to these chapters when I plan my lessons. Thank you for the user-friendly curriculum. I look forward to the rest of the course.

I must say I have learned so much over the year from you, what a gift you have been to me.

It is very interesting stuff and it all makes so much sense!! I think back through my career and maybe if I knew all this I wouldn’t have all the back issues that I have, who knows!! You did a great job on this! I can see the potential to bring this Series into Start-ups, HR Departments and Facility Departments who focus on ergonomics.

While preparing for a chair yoga class I was presenting at an ALF for International Yoga Day I stumbled upon Sherry and YogaJP on YouTube. Needless to say, I was HOOKED. Now when I come across other chair yoga classes, they’re very vanilla in comparison.

I was prepared to take human anatomy at my local community college as an enrichment to my yoga teacher training, but the anatomy of the aging body is more than I would have had. I wanted to know the how’s and why’s of aging. These are the tools that allow me in depth understanding and compassion for Seniors and for those with limited mobility. The medical names are important to know, and are delivered in such a way that I remember terms and how they fit into my daily work of teaching chair yoga. I’m not going to just read and take a test, I’m retaining so much of what I am learning, and applying it. Your program has so many pictures, sequencing, cue tips, and practical helps. It just goes on and on.

My journey teaching seniors has and continues to be influenced by your knowledge and guidance. As you know, I have completed your chair certification, very close to finishing the gentle yoga certification and once I have completed I will be signing up for Justine’s Low Back Courses. Having a Crown Membership with access to YogaJP has provided me with invaluable resources that I have been able to provide to my students who range in age from mid 60’s to 97. You are both an inspiration to me and I thank you.

The online material not only helped me learn it faster, but I felt more confident.

I turned 82 yrs young this past Aug. I opened up a yoga studio in my home. Word is slowly leaking out about me and I can’t even imagine what my days will be this coming year. Because of you, I found somatic yoga. I’ve taken James’s course and have been doing this for myself for two years. I feel great, better than ever! So I decided to incorporate as much of somatics into my senior chair yoga classes as I could. Miracles have been happening for me and my clients. Everybody has been so excited that they can move and feel so much better. My students range in age from early 60’s to 94.

I was concerned about taking an online course because of my need to ask questions. It’s not like you can just raise your hand and say, “excuse me, I don’t understand”, if that’s you, don’t let that hold you back. Whenever I had questions, I emailed Sherry and she responded within a couple of hours, and often even sooner. Her accessibility is remarkable and made me feel as though I had someone right next to me the whole time.

This course really fit my learning style perfectly. My teaching confidence in both chair and gentle yoga has soared since taking this course. I would highly recommend it.

I am so impressed by this course. I have taught online for years here at the college and your Program is so well done.

What I like most about Yoga Vista is the quality and authenticity of your teaching, the teaching staff (Sherry, of course) and the variety of classes. Yoga Vista is fun (and funny), friendly, and accessible online which is huge for those of us that cannot make it into the studio or any studio!

I am now on permanent disability and was a former yoga teacher for seniors. I feel as if I am in class at home and not missing out. Thank you for connecting with ALL of us! Much appreciated for everything you do!

I love how you have those diagrams to make the song structures easy to understand, and how you have the whole thing broken down with the different formats of songs. The way each module was separated and built upon also made sense to me as far as the order of learning each lesson.

WHAT I LEARNED THAT I DIDN’T KNOW?

“The different ways you sit and how that plays into your spinal posture and long term effects. It was a great Yoga Refresher on a calmer, more protective way of doing Yoga that is nurturing. And I learned about Breathing the pace, the connection and value that breathing plays into a good stretch.”

” That your muscles hold all your bones in place. I learned different ways to meditate and the best lying position for your spine.”

“How things work in my Anatomy. I want to remember to practice this and I know I need to relax. I need to practice – more!”

“I learned about the specific small muscles that impact the rest of the body, and about breathing/meditation.”

“I learned a whole lot about muscles. I realized how enjoyable Yoga and that it is a real benefit. I learned about the Breathing right left nostril thing.”

“How to open up and breathe!”

“I didn’t know anything about Anatomy! I learned the Breathing Effects of breathing through left nostril vs. right nostril.”

I chose Yoga Vista Academy training because of the quality of your video classes, but especially because of your emphasis on learning the anatomical issues and conditions of seniors and on how to meet their specific needs. I was NOT disappointed! I am a much more confident and skilled teacher as a result of this training. At the same time, I believe my classes, like your training, are creative and fun!

Now having a different perspective after breaking my wrist, I began to investigate chair yoga online. I found Yoga Vista Academy, Sherry Zak Morris and Justine Shelton. Making the decision to sign up for Chair Yoga Certification has been life changing for me and my husband! I have learned so much about the anatomy of seniors, [which I am One], and how chair yoga can help seniors become more mobile through strengthening their bones and muscles and stretching the fascia through movement and staying hydrated. I am very grateful to you, Sherry and to Justine!

Thanks again. You and these courses have been wonderful for me. Our chair yoga program at the Y has really grown and I am enjoying teaching a great deal. Namaste.

I just had to share with you, I did What a Wonderful World all week. The first time I did it was with my Assisted Living group, and I started crying during the song! It was so moving, and they really loved it! Thank you so much for what you have created.

Thanks to your business training, I just landed a private senior (she’s 86) 30 min yoga session every Tuesday and Thursday!

I now have four gentles a week! We started a Friday 310 PM class that had 18 participants last week!! Who knew?

A very comprehensive and educational program. Sherry beautifully put together, and covered the most common problems desk workers face (from physical pains to mental stressors) and shared great insight on how we can positively impact these issues to promote wellbeing through a myriad of therapeutic-yoga approaches. If you are serious about teaching yoga and reaching out to the corporate desk worker world you should definitely check this program out!

I think you did a masterful job of outlining, covering, explaining and repeating the cogent points. The best thing about the Program is the attention to detail of the cadence of the songs, the TIPS to watch for when the action is changing or pausing, the way to map out the songs. My village is so excited about adding dancing to our chair class that I feel empowered to mess up and still have fun.

I have really enjoyed and learned great information especially on anatomy taking your Chair Yoga certification. Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful experience!

If someone were to ask me where to find the best information and lessons about Chair Yoga, I would (and have, many times) send them to Yoga JP and Yoga Vista Academy. Even though the training is remote (as in, not in person), I felt as if I knew Sherry and Justine and the regular teachers and could go to any of them if I had questions. The information provided in the training is comprehensive, and having text and videos plays to everyone’s learning style. I could not recommend this program more. I already was teaching Chair Yoga, but this has made me a better teacher. Thank you to Sherry and the crew.

I have really enjoyed both programs and my teaching has really benefited and have a good following and credit to all I have learned from you!!. I am subscribed to your video channel which I admit is a great resource.

The course is so creative and different and allows for individual teaching styles whilst keeping safety and health an utmost priority. I feel confident to walk into any situation with a whole bag of tricks up my sleeve to keep the classes inclusive and accessible to everyone so a big ‘THANK YOU!!’ from me.

The On-Line Chair Yoga Teacher Training program is full of wonderful instruction for all types of learning styles and laid out very well to pace oneself through the material. The use of the many teachers and experiences/education that Sherry and Justine have collected is amazing and drew me into learning the anatomy material with much more ease. The Yogajp.tv resource was absolutely a real plus. I did get this subscription before jumping into the program so I could get an better idea of how the classes were composed but also to have a resource for me to do out of my home meeting my requirements/restrictions that I was unable to find in the community. To see how this resource continues to evolve and all of the benefits one receives for their subscriptions is priceless.

I’m so very glad that I decided to take both the Chair Yoga and the Gentle Yoga teacher training courses! I can honestly say that I use something that I learned from these courses in every Chair Yoga class that I teach (and I teach 3-4 every week)! Both courses were so very full of information and ideas! Even though I’ve been teaching chair yoga (and occasionally subbing gentle yoga) for a few years, I learned so much from taking these courses! Thank you, Sherry (and Justine!) for all you’ve given me!

Thanks for my report card, your kind and empowering remarks and certificate. Made my day!!! Today going to see an Egoscue practitioner for my knee deviation. Been sharing the book PAIN FREE with my classes. Life has taught me to be open to healing not fixing. Your holistic way of teaching and thinking is a powerful message for all. So glad you are a part of my life. Love, Moon

I thank you for your wonderful instruction. Love it. Love it. The information you provide would make anyone a better teacher. My students love the information and knowledge they gain. They tell me that their doctors asked them what they were doing differently as their lung capacity has improved (some had very little lung capacity). They proudly told me that they informed their doctor the only new thing they were doing was Anna’s Yoga. Their doctors told them to keep coming. Same results for different students and different parts of their bodies. I can’t take the credit. We do a lot of your “While you are at it.” I am following your game plan and it is amazing. I must admit I knew nothing about the human body before I took your classes. Both me and my students thank you for a job well done.

I really enjoyed this unit. So much relevance for my own body and for my students. Also I purchased ‘pain free’ based on your recommendation. Love it. It is so practical. Thanks for your great work.

Just wanted to let you know I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this pilot Chair Yoga Dance project.

Thank you so much!! I’m so very pleased with the online chair yoga course, it has been very insightful and greatly expanded my understanding of yoga asana. The online course webpage was so simple and easy to navigate. It had a nice flow and loads & loads of information and poses! I really enjoyed learning from home, at my own pace. I thought it was really great, so thank you!

Thanks for all your beautiful chair dances & other wonderful yoga stretches which I also bring to my gentle yoga classes. You are an inspiration!

I have people who have disk problems, low back pain, shoulder problems, heart problems, Plantar Fasciitis, and of course you noticed how crooked my fingers are. Your training certainly helps me to incorporate moves that relieve their pain. There isn’t a class where I don’t have one of my students come up after class and tell me how much better they feel since they started taking Yoga. Actually it gets embarrassing when they keep thanking me for teaching the class. I am sure I get more out of the class then they do.

I loved the Chair Yoga Dance Training program. It was so much fun and so easy to work through. The dances are a just the right amount of challenging. And, I love the variety in music. Since starting the program, I have used three dances during my gentle chair yoga classes (Que Sera Sera, Everything’s Gonna Be Alright, and The River) and my students LOVE them. Even those that don’t “feel like dancers” find them fun and easy to follow along with. Thank you so much for this training. I highly recommend it. 🙂

I appreciate all the time, effort, collaboration, and years of learning that were so evident throughout this course. The course was structured really beautifully, introducing material that built from the ground up what it means to be a chair yoga teacher for seniors at all different levels of health/fitness. The Methods and Philosophy section communicated the essential elements of teaching and structuring a class so that I had a nuanced lens through which to view all the great video material and really learn from them. The Anatomy of Aging section was so rich. I thought having the three sections on anatomy, conditions and poses for each general body area was very helpful. The yoga aspects included in the anatomy and conditions section reinforced each other, and having a separate pose library because it made pose ideas easily accessible for constructing a class. The program was full of so many great pearls!

I just wanted to let you know I am finishing up my first Happy Back workshop class. It was seven weeks of back education and exercises specific to each persons condition. I start my next one on Oct. 31st and it’s full! I am so happy and grateful that I had the opportunity to do your course. It has given me new passion for my yoga teaching.

After my success with wheelchair yoga, I immediately booked the Dual Training Chair + Gentle Yoga. (Warning: Yogavista is addictive 😉) Even the subject of “anatomy of aging” is incredibly informative and exciting! Many handouts and videos show how many options there are for gentle yoga or yoga on the chair. In this way, even older or less flexible people can benefit from the health benefits of yoga! Thank you Sherry, you have enriched my yoga life so much!

I like Yoga Vista Academy for many reasons including lots of important, applicable information for a demographic that benefits from chair yoga, full length and shorter videos on focused sequences, and inspirational instructors.

What I like best though is how user friendly the information and sequences are; offering me the opportunity to incorporate different flows and poses into my classes for a very appreciative group of yogis. They enjoy learning and experiencing something different each week and I am able to offer something for everyone for the benefit of all.

Thank you Sherry, Justine, and everyone at the academy!

I have learnt so much from doing your Chair Yoga online course, I have been a teacher for 5 yrs now and a student for over 22yrs and I learnt so much than I did in my main teacher training, I would encourage anyone that is interested in teaching not just seniors but any form of chair yoga to invest in this amazing course. A friend asked me why did I choose Yoga Vista Academy and my answer was easy, I felt like Sherry and I taught along the same path, I like to think I teach from my heart and allow people to shine in their own light and that’s how I experienced doing my training during this amazing course. Absolutely LOVED the whole course, thank you for the experience and sharing your love of yoga with me.

I subbed a beginner class yesterday and when i checked in with everyone – one man told me he couldn’t do very much as he had spinal stenosis. Told him i had just done a workshop with you and i guess i asked him all the right questions. He did everything in the class with no pain. Thank you – sometimes you never know where your ripples lead. He left saying his back felt so much better – Thank you!!!

I can’t thank you enough for all I have learned through your course. I apply many of the exercises daily to give me relief from my repetitive work. I use the Tray-Flow, Celtic Cross, Lateral Bending Flow daily.

I do enjoy your instructions, information, routines, dances, and laughter. You really make me feel I am there and a part of your family. I have fun while learning.

Currently I’m offering 7 chair yoga classes a week (plus a twice-monthly healthy brains with yoga segment) and am loving it. I often hear from students how much they appreciate the variety of movement and themes from class to class, and I know that I’ve been able to offer that as a result of this training. One of the best compliments I have received from people who used to practice mat yoga was that they still felt as though they were practicing “real” yoga!

The Yoga Vista Academy Chair Yoga Training Program to me is like getting your 200-hour yoga certification and the Wheelchair Yoga Program is like getting your 500-hour yoga certification. You are building on the knowledge from the Chair Yoga Program and learning more in-depth ways to use props and modifications, Also, you are learning so much more about the different disabilities that one may have. I feel that I have way more confidence from taking the Chair Yoga Program first.

Thanks for all that you do!! You have changed my life, I quit my nursing job, I am teaching 2 classes, and possibly one more and I have started to take a course to become a yoga therapist. I could not have done this without your classes and your knowledge and support. Thanks to you and Justine!!

I really learned a lot about teaching yogas to seniors, the anatomy, how to make the classes more beneficial and effective for them, setting up and preparing my classes for recording, using the proper apps, equipment and devices to record my videos, & using YouTube to share my videos with others.

I feel so blessed to have found you and Justine and your program. You have enriched my life and through the knowledge I have gained in your program, I can pay it forward.

I’m thrilled I’ve learned so much from you and Justine. Thank you for all you do for me and for everyone who comes through your doors. You are truly an angel. You’ve helped me through a pretty rough time. But life is good and on we go. Sending a smile and gratitude.

I cannot say enough about the quality of this program. Excellent and Praiseworthy!!

I appreciate that you are constantly adding to the library of videos. This provides constant learning for me, and is motivating when I feel that my practices need a little refreshing. Also, I appreciate having access to videos from recent chair yoga teacher graduates and experts, such as James Knight. I think one of the the things that sets your program apart from other online courses is the fact that you are very accessible via phone or email. I feel a sense of connectedness to you as my mentor. I commend you on bringing that quality to an otherwise remote relationship. Overall, this was a very worthwhile investment. Time and money well spent! The learning is invaluable!

Just a note of thanks for a wonderful training experience! Integrity is the word that comes to mind when I think of the educational program you, Justine and all the other fine educators provide in this program. Your feedback was sincere and very direct and I really took it to heart in a positive way. It is obvious that you really love what you do and your willingness to share and give credit where due just shows how much you like to explore new modalities of movement and keep it all fresh and creative. I thank you for keeping us all inspired!!

I loved the anatomy module, I learned so much it took me awhile to get through it but truly is was time well spent. I believe you and this program came at exactly the right time in my life. A BIG THANK YOU!

Since I graduated from your Program, I am happy to say that I teach Chair Yoga at Lynda’s studio every Saturday and Wednesday nights for a community program. People really enjoy the class. Thanks again for providing such a cumulative and informative course!

I want to thank you and the team at Yoga Vista Academy for this Program. Well done. I commend you for the information, the technical approach, the direct projection of issues into actual lives, the poses that relate to individual body conditions. The videos are exceptional. Different teachers with their various disciplines and personalities are a great teaching tool. The program has refreshed and further educate me on various levels. Thank you so very much.

One should consider this Program if they are interested in learning how to expand their teaching and want to work with a new segment of the population or If they want to expand their knowledge of anatomy, sequencing and disabilities. This course has it all.

Yoga Vista Academy’s Gentle and Chair Yoga Teacher Training was beyond my greatest expectations. So much detailed information on anatomy, aging and yoga was presented in such an accessible format. The factual information combined with practical applications and a multitude of resources will guide me for years to come. What a great investment in my yoga journey!

I have been enrolled with the Yoga Vista Academy since June and have been very pleased with the attention to detail and quality of the on-line program. Sherry is always knowledgeable and entertaining with her approach at offering the material, and Justine speaks to the ‘anatomy nerd’ in me!

I have been a teacher for many years and appreciate the difficulty in presenting material in a clear, concise manner, especially via online education.

Thank you for this opportunity to win this valuable teaching tool.

I’m a new Yoga Vista student and I’m loving the ease of working at my pace. The best part is the comprehensive immersion into Gentle and chair yoga in such a way that I feel like I’m really a part of the class. The student participation and their sharing their experiences in the course information is very helpful to me. Thank you!

I’m currently volunteer teaching both a gentle yoga and a chair class at my church. I really loved the course and all the videos that were available for me to study and learn from.

I have loved doing your course and pushing myself to video and look back at the way I run classes, I must admit I have enjoyed the learning experience and pushing myself out of my comfort zone, I now do cd’s and working on getting a proper video camera to make dvd for me to sell. A big Big thank you for the opportunity to learn about myself as well as the wonderful world of chair yoga.

Thank you so much for the time, effort, and passion you offer to your students. The comprehensive feedback/Final Report was so positive and uplifting…and extremely helpful–not just the accolades, but also the suggestions for improvement. I’ll implement those important recommendations immediately. Excellent.

You are truly the teacher’s teacher, a brilliant role model, and a shining example of what true yoga is really about.

Really enjoying the Chair and Gentle online program.. This has made such a difference in my teaching! My students love the work I have shared with them and feel its made such a difference in their lives. I have a student who has had surgery for breast cancer and she feels the poses and stretches we do have made more difference in her life than the PT she had after her surgery which was a couple years ago.

This program was like a delicious piece of carrot cake that I wanted to make last which explains my 3x go through. Fortunately my binder and the yoga vista platform with the videos are close at hand. Thanks again Justine for pulling this one of a kind program together and for offering it to the yoga teacher community around the world.

Now I have also completed the next Yogavista Academy course. 1000 thanks to Justine and Sherry!! In this training the anatomy and background of the lower back was explained so wonderfully again! Lots of tips, tricks and informations to help and support students with back problems with yoga.
Sherry and Justine, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the wonderful trainings! The opportunity to participate in your trainings online from Germany enriched the year 2020 so much to me

I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying this course so far. I have been teaching Seniors exercise to music for about 7 years for a nationwide UK Seniors charity (Age UK) as well as open Yoga classes and have always wanted to bridge the two. I found you on YouTube and I find your classes so much more fun and interesting than most of the more sombre classes I see online!! There are not many chair yoga courses in the UK as it’s not a very popular area at present so it’s great that I can get certified through your course. I’m finding it really useful and learning a lot!

I give the Yoga Vista Gentle and Chair Yoga courses my highest recommendation! Sherry and Justine have perfected the art of online teaching. The written materials are comprehensive, detailed, and some of the best reference sources in my entire yoga library. The many hours of videos are equally outstanding, offering a variety of teaching styles, methodologies, and information. I expected to receive outstanding instruction in Gentle and Chair Yoga. What I didn’t expect, but received in abundance, was these courses making me a better teacher overall, as well as a better teacher trainer. These courses truly have been a highlight of my ongoing yoga education!

Thank you very much for the detailed feedback. It is very helpful. I’m really enjoying the course, especially the practice videos. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into creating this. I can only imagine the many, many hours that went into planning, filming, and editing it. I’m grateful to have them as a resource even after I complete the certification.

The online course was of a very high standard under the expertise, guidance and professionalism of Sherry Zak Morris. The course itself was online but any questions or queries on any aspect of the course were expertly dealt by Sherry who always returned any of my queries very efficiently and in a quick response. There was in depth material and on line classes that suited the needs of all the requirements of my students.The course has been invaluable in increasing my knowledge and expertise to many groups of Seniors.

The Yoga Vista Chair Yoga Teacher Training was, by far, the most comprehensive teacher training I have had since becoming a 200 hour teacher. Information was provided in several modalities so that I could read, listen, and watch to learn about teaching chair yoga. I especially appreciated the section on Anatomy of Aging. This was very informative and gave me the confidence needed to work with seniors.

I also appreciated the huge collection of videos by Sherry, Justine, and other Yoga Vista teachers, as well as by other Yoga Vista Chair Yoga graduates. They continue to be a valuable resource to me as I grow my repertoire of movements and poses.

I started teaching chair yoga shortly after starting the course and my students have told me how much I have grown as a teacher during the time I was studying. When I graduated, I took the certificate and showed them and they cheered. I feel so lucky to have found such a great training program.

I have loved the training and look forward to feedback from both you and Jane. Someday I hope to get out your way and would love to take a class with you. I am tickled to share with you that since retiring I am now teaching 4 classes a week! I teach chair at State of Mind Yoga on Fridays, I also teach basics there on Monday nights, and a basic class at a very posh retirement center, where they are eager to bring chair yoga back. On Saturdays, I teach a basic at the park district in a nearby town. I could not be happier and owe so much of my success to you and Jane and all my other teachers along the way and to come.

Based on what I have seen in your YouTube videos, throughout the Corporate Yoga program and most certainly during your live Chair Yoga class — I definitely see what you’re doing, and can feel that you genuinely pour your heart and soul into the connections you have with others. Since changing career paths, I want to invest my collective skills and experience in something meaningful for people and spreading that goodness all around.

I was interviewed on Ireland”s National Radio Programme Radio 1 about the success of the groups because what I am doing with the Seniors is a very recent development in Ireland, so much credit goes to yourself for all the valuable information I have learned both from the course and all the you tube clips you send on, so a big thanks.

I have learned a great deal from your program and it served as a great resource for me. My niche is teaching Gentle and Chair in a retirement community, as well as teaching Chair Yoga for Stroke Recovery to support a program developed by a Neuropsychologist. Every week I add new movements and sequences thanks to your classes.

Great program, videos and pdf-handouts. Important knowledge for all yoga teachers. Even as a former nurse and with a previous therapeutic yoga teacher background, I learned a lot from this program and would highly recommend it to others. I’m very happy that I found it, and signed up!

The downloadable handouts are very informative with a lot of detailed pictures. The videos and Justine’s teaching are great. She shares a lot of knowledge and is easy to follow. I also liked the quiz following each chapter, a good way to check your progress.

I wanted to learn more about yoga adapted to common back problems. I teach regular classes and smaller groups for people with different health problems. Back problems are very common, and something every teacher at some point will meet. Knowing what postures to choose and which ones to avoid, and individual adaption is the key to a safe yoga practise.

In my opinion, the live portion is extremely important. One reason being that questions can be answered which then can lead to additional questions and so on. Second, it is important to build relationships with real people. We spend so much time behind electronics that we forget how to really be with people who are also stepping outside of their comfort zone. It’s a great way to learn from one another and provide support. And of course, the teach back…. practicing in front of real people throughout the course helps to prepare for the teach back. When we teach, it is In front of real people. Lastly, it makes the experience meaningful. People make it something to remember. I highly recommend keeping and moving forward with the hybrid training.

Your dedication to helping all of us become better instructors is amazing and I am so grateful to be a part of this program. The special niche of helping seniors (and really anyone any age) to use Yoga to help us move through the problems of injury and aging and to get such positive results is unparalleled. Not only that but you do it with such grace, accessibility, vitality and fun. ❣️ Five Stars each to Justine, Sherry and Yoga Vista Academy⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I truly love the fact that Yoga Vista Academy offers a platform where the materials and videos are always available. I am a big fan of e-learning through pre-recorded videos and written materials. I am currently enrolled in a children yoga teacher program that is offered by video conference. Although, it’s fun to be able to interact live with my teacher, I would much prefer to be able to watch the video a few times as I find that I forget information especially if it’s new. I need to hear and experience it more than once for it to sink in, hence the beauty of Yoga Vista Academy online certification programs.

I felt very comfortable in the academy from the first day. I could ask anything that was close to my heart and the structure of the training was great. I would do it again anytime. Who knows, maybe I’ll be doing another training in a couple of days. Thank you for everything!

Yoga Vista Academy‘s Chair Yoga Certification Program provided a written PDF to accompany the video presentation which I found beneficial to the student to read and follow as well as a great reference source to keep. I have already referred back to the PDF notes several times. The library of postures is also a good reference source for poses and their unique names. I found the videos to be very helpful especially to see the students go through the asanas to the best of their ability with modifications provided to accommodate each body and level of ability.

So in love with teacher training. I am reading about the Posture Project right now. Everything is so well done.
I have a fantastic group of people in my chair exercise class that are loving all the new exercises I am teaching them. I tell them they are my guinea pigs as I go through Chair Yoga training. We are having so much fun!

I’m very grateful to have had this opportunity to participate in your Yoga Vista Chair Yoga Program. It’s been so very beneficial in providing me the much needed skillset so that I could offer modifications and sequences so my students could move safely through the various ranges of motion in their joints and muscles.

First, let me tell you how much I am enjoying the overall course. I have learned so much and am able to take the information and relate it to the classes I teach; a few chair as a sub, Hatha and restorative.

The course is so professionally done and it was an amazing collaboration across the globe – a very positive example of how we are all connected.

I highly recommend this course with Sherry Zak Morris. She will give you the support you need and guidance along with the tools to be a dynamic yoga instructor. The information provided gave me the knowledge and teaching skills I needed. This is an online course where you can work at your own pace.

Thank you so much for supporting me through the Chair Yoga Certification course. I completed my 200 hour course a year ago and have been teaching online and in studios since then. This course has now filled in many gaps in my knowledge and competence that I was not even aware existed. In particular the course was excellent on anatomy and safety. My existing students have noticed and appreciated the more in-depth focus in my lessons. I am now doing the Gentle Yoga course and already feeding what I am learning into my lessons. Thank you all so much. Namaste Hazel

The course was great. I really enjoyed the live portion with Jane and learned so much in the few times the group met. Love the videos with the various teachers and styles. The thing that I learned most is to remove EGO and that not all bodies are the same. I really love all of the feedback.

Let me see…there is so much to choose from. First of all I enjoy your newsletters that keeps us connected to new and practical approaches to teaching gentle and chair yoga. I also enjoy the structure and platform of your online programs that allow me to go at my pace yet feel like I am part of a live course. I often return to materials that I read and practiced from your programs and learn something new from it each time.

I’ve started my Gentle Yoga Teacher Training about two weeks ago. I just wanted to tell u know that I’ve really enjoyed taking your course. I am just happy that i found you!!! I was not able to find a course like this in Orange County. Your course for Gentle Yoga is exactly what I was looking for past couple of months and thank you for offering us who like to learn, share and spread the love to others!

I fell in love with the videos when I would search for new ideas for my chair exercises. I am currently taking the online Chair Yoga course. Before I made the commitment, I spoke to Sherry over the phone. I was so excited to speak to her and hear her voice. Her enthusiasm is contagious! She was so kind, friendly and nice on the phone. I felt an immediate connection. She is someone that you would love as a friend!

I have been taking the course for two months now and I am in awe on how beautifully this course is put together. I am learning so much about anatomy and how yoga ties in to help seniors. The videos come with a wealth of information. I love watching the different styles of the yoga teachers. The ideas on what you can bring to the table are endless!

I selected a pop/hip hop song to create a dance routine. If I hadn’t taken this course, I would never have tried a song like “Dark Horse.” No knowledge provided in this course is wasted. Actually very useful!

I had started this training to help my mother who is 85. She had a chair yoga class she attended in Michigan before we moved to Florida. We looked for a chair yoga class and there was none so I decided to take the training myself. It has been both wonderful and beneficial to myself as well as my mother. I have lost 48 lbs and increased my strength, flexibility and banished my back pain through the training and practice of chair yoga. I have severe scoliosis – and my posture has also improved. I am a musician (pianist/singer) who was struggling to sit at the piano and practice because of pain but now can sit and rehearse with no problems.

I have had the privilege to be mentored by Viki Boyko who was absolutely delightful and a wonderful teacher. She suggested that I start to teach while I was training. I have been working with a group of senior citizens. We meet at a church in the area twice a week. Many have shared with me that there doctors are delighted with the results from their chair yoga classes. My favorite story is about a retired gentleman who says his golf game has improved by practicing chair yoga. He says he relaxes his toes before he swings and it has made a great impact on his game. Thank you again for the opportunity to train. I think this is a marvelous program!

I had my doubts last winter if I could make it through with everything going on in my life but I will say with no doubt that you inspired me, Corey, to finish. After you helped me with the timing and schedule I was re-energized.

The course was great, I would certainly refer your course to everyone! I can’t say it enough at how gracious you are in all your teachings.

I think that this was a fantastic format for taking this course. Having everything in bite-sized units made it seem like something that could be tackled via correspondence. Having video and text made sure that everything really made sense and sunk in. I so greatly admire the work that you all do that I am honoured to have taken this course.

The course is so well thought through. I really love the methodology you used, the structure of this course, clear, step-by-step instructions. And it’s so inspiring! I believe and hope that many teachers will take this course and will spread joy and healing on all levels to many-many people!

I’ve been fortunate to participate in her on-line pilot Yoga Dance project with teachers across the world, to collaborate on this innovative movement program. This is a well-conceived, unique and comprehensive course, with quality resources, well produced videos, that are supplemented with useful handouts. The course includes information from anatomy of aging, to song structure, from the how’s’ and whys’ of choreography to teaching safely to seniors. Sherry provides plenty of examples, complete with scenic backdrops, to communicate the information needed for yoga teachers to incorporate Chair Yoga Dance into our tool kit.

I am enrolled on the Chair Yoga programme and am finding it a real source of inspiration in teaching my seniors classes.

My favorite part of the program is how you instruct us to dissect the song into bit size pieces. The structure underpinning the course is very good…The process you take us through will help me remember your dances and invent my own choreography.

I love Justine. And I love this course. Justine’s organization works the way my brain does. It just clicks. She teaches Yoga the same way I teach. I’ve had several “Aha!” moments in this course. Here is a big one. When Justine goes over Apanasana and Sciatica, she discussed doing one leg at a time, for several reasons. But the light bulb went off in my head. When I do Apanasana with both legs in, one leg hugs much closer than the other… and has for several years now (I know it didn’t used to). I never even stopped to think about how this relates to my back pain. I’m not acute right now, so I can practice all these moves safely. But I realized that this HUGE clue in Apanasana was pointing me to my trouble all along. Now I hug that leg in closer for several more breaths every morning. Then when I bring the other one in, Voila! They match! It’s so simple! I added this to my daily morning practice and I’m eager to see how it develops over the coming months. Thank you, Justine!

I’m very pleased to be a graduate of Yoga Vista Academy! I can’t wait to continue my education and am planning to sign up for more classes – especially the teaching mixed floor and chair classes…. Thanks again for all the incredible work you and your staff do for those of us out here. I love everything you’ve done.

For me, being an online student I haven’t had the opportunity to meet Sherry in person or visit her Yoga Vista Studio. Hesitant at first to sign up for an online course(especially a yoga course) I mean, how good could it really be, it’s online? It didn’t take very long (the 1st module) to realize the high level of Sherry’s yoga knowledge and her ability to relate and transfer that knowledge to us even via online. Any doubt I had disappeared, I knew I had made a wise decision to sign up for the Chair Yoga Training Course at Yoga Vista Academy.

Since I started the course I’ve had a few things come up that have forced me to postpone my training for a bit. Sherry has been so understanding and fully willing and able to work with me as I get my life and training back on course. Because of her I hope to soon be able to add my name to the list of Chair Yoga Course grads at Yoga Vista Academy.

But for me the most important and best about Yoga Vista Academy is Sherry herself. She has been able to make me feel part of her community and able to send her love for yoga and her students even all the way to the other side of the US. I feel close to Sherry, and I’ve never even meet her. This is the best thing about Yoga Vista Academy. In a word Sherry. Thank you Sherry.

I am proud that Yoga Vista Academy keeps me motivated to move, learn and dance for myself and my classes. Your shared knowledge is amazing. Thank you, Sherry, for your inspirational, innovative, healthy Yoga Chair Dance Program and the Yoga Vista Academy community. Your fun way to fitness has brightened my spirits and those in my classes.

It was helpful that I was teaching one or two classes a week of chair yoga already, and could practice new ideas on my students!! This course increased my confidence and knowledge and helped me to shift my perspective on sharing yoga. What I learned from Sherry and Peggy is how to empower my students to be life long learners and students of the body.

Since I graduated and got certified, I m starting another chair yoga class in another village and was approached by a local care home to do a class there too. I am seeing if I can fit it into my schedule as the local high school asked me to do a yoga class there for the students and one for the teachers so it is all full steam head!! Thank you Universe.

This Low Back Care Foundations Course is the harbor cruise, providing a high level understanding of types of back pain, causes, contraindications and recommended yoga poses and modifications. As a graduate of the Low Back Care Certification Program, I found that it builds on this Foundations Course as it goes into even more detail and prepares the student to create class plans whether 1:1 or teaching groups.

What I like best about YVA is that the online training is very user friendly. I like that it’s geared towards many learning styles like visual, audio, and of course hands on. With this format you have a better chance in retaining information. Thank you! I’m very excited to be on this journey and to share this with my community once I’m certified.

Wow! What a fantastic program! The information was comprehensive, easy to follow, and very relevant. Just what I was looking for! I’m so excited and feel very blessed to have the opportunity to share this knowledge with others, as so many people will find it very useful in their day-to-day lives. Your support and encouragement throughout was wonderful. Thank you for giving me another way to share the magic of Yoga! With Much Gratitude.

I truly enjoyed and appreciated the flow of this program. The material was presented in a sequential and practical manner. The videos were just long enough to cover a new topic or song. After completing a module, I immediately wanted to learn the next dance. I’d describe this program as the “icing” to all your other programs.

I loved this program. It was above and beyond my expectations. The icing on the cake… what really tied it together for me, helping me stay on course and and gain the confidence to teach, was the mentorship program. I don’t think I would have done as nearly a good job on my teachback nor felt the confidence that I do (even if it’s at the sappling level ) if it hadn’t been for this part of the program and Corey.

Corey helped us build our skills and confidence session by session in a safe and affirming way, offering great feedback and sharing her wisdom as well. I feel blessed to have her as my mentor. Having a cohort of other students was also important aspect of the program. It gave me a sense of having a community in which to grow and develop as a teacher, and I really appreciated being able to learn from and share with the other students.

I’ve had to expand my chair classes as they’ve been a huge success. Word has spread through neighboring studios and they send their Seniors my way. Just wanted to thank you for your updates and constant vigil. Very much appreciated. I see not only great strides in my students but a social bonding as well. They rarely miss a class. Which is a far different story from when I was just teaching mainstream Yoga. If I find I have medical questions I can usually refer back to my notes for the most part and send them in a good direction. I’ve incorporated a bit of humor from my own perspective and hopefully encouraged them to laugh in the face of aging. It has become a beautiful practice for all of us.

I like the way you break down the modules and provide separate sections on anatomy and conditions, which give me a deeper understanding about the seniors. It is also inspirational to watch various videos and observe amazing classes and see how seniors enjoy moving in each postures.

What I like about Yoga Vista Academy..

1. Something new for this part of Canada
2. The information given is perfect for seniors. The anatomy of aging is so helpful in planning my yoga sessions.
3. The library of asanas is the best thing ever!!
4. Sherry and Justine are so informative and extremely helpful
5. I feel so good about myself because I can teach yoga for many more years, also helping to keep myself fit and healthy
6. Thank you very much I am so glad yoga vista is in my life!! Hopefully I can come to Vista next October. ????

I really like your program and recommend it to other teachers all the time!

I know that you value our great news, we mortal Chair Yogi students of yours! For the past five months, each Tuesday morn I have been teaching at the Elenora sixties & better community Center’ and I’m growing in confidence as the class grows! A local retirement Center has given me the go ahead to teach every Wednesday morning there after I gave a Complimentary class to their residents Thanks once again for all your wonderful support!

The coursework was broken up into well organized and manageable sections, all very appropriate for the topics – info you need to know. 2- The quizzes were great highlights of more important information.

I am a recently retired elementary school teacher who specialized in working with students with additional needs in an inclusive setting. Since starting to teach yoga in 2019 I have strived to follow the same philosophy as I did with my young students by making my classes accessible to all. Over the past year, I have completed the requirements to become certified in gentle yoga, chair yoga and chair yoga dance through Yoga Vista Academy. I found all of these programs to be comprehensive and well organized. I learned a great deal about anatomy as well as a wide variety of ways to create safe and engaging gentle and chair yoga classes. Safety considerations for seniors as well as for people with various conditions were throughly presented. The programs all provided a combination of reading, listening to presentations as well as being able to practice the concepts presented in numerous videos. I feel that working through the certification module is so beneficial for consolidating the concepts taught in the course in a practical way. I would definitely recommend the programs offered through Yoga Vista Academy for those yoga teachers who want to provide accessible and inclusive yoga classes.

I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying the course! Thank you so much for encouraging me to go for it, I really am pleased I did! I have really enjoyed all of it so far and am loving learning more about our anatomy and conditions as we age. I find it fascinating how a subtle change to a pose or sequence can give different benefits. I am going through the course slowly and revisiting sections as I am new to yoga and there is a lot to learn… but I’m delighted by how many of the poses and sequences are feasible for me as a wheelchair user.

I’m learning so much more in this anatomy training than I did in my teacher training. The training we got was way too much for beginner teachers. At least it was for me. Your teaching is so clear and applicable. Thank you!

What I loved about the Online Chair Yoga Program! 1. The written PDF’s that went with most of the Video’s. 2. I liked the exams throughout because it kept it very fresh. 3. The PDF’s are fantastic reference documents, so those are so nice to have. 4. The video – MOST all were very good. 5. Library of postures is great to have with the handout’s as well, because the names are different than we use in other yoga classes! 🙂 6. In the video’s themselves, one thing I really like was being able to see the seniors do it with you. It gave me an idea of what those postures look like for them because I find myself wanting to correct their form when it may be all they can do.

I did love the program itself, I love all the information, chapters, etc., and how I was able to print out everything and make a large binder to keep forever for reference. Any time I had questions while going through the information, Sherry was just an email away with the answer, and always very prompt.

One of the biggest things I like about this program, is that I almost feel like I know you all, after watching videos, studying, phone calls and emails. That is very important to me!

I can not thank you enough for offering this amazing class on line. I am so thankful. I enjoyed it so much and learned so much.

I have been so blessed to have a great support system when studying both the chair and gentle yoga modules. I can’t begin to tell you how much I have used what I learned in both studies – much of which I use in current classes. But above all, thank you so very much for all that you have instilled in me. Your inspiration and support is priceless. And I know it will continue to be ongoing as my yoga journey as a teacher continues!

I think this is one of the best online courses I have ever taken. I do teach chair yoga already, and I have already gotten so many new ideas! I am passionate about my seniors, and I know this wonderful course will make me an even better teacher!

This 60 Hr Chair Yoga Teacher Training course with Sherry Zac Morris of Yoga Vista Academy was a highly informative and most enjoyable course. Each topic is discuss in full detail and is backed up with a full color handout and backed up again with full educational videos. There are test at the end of the units that put you to the test but excellent to do. It has made me highly knowledgeable in Teaching Methodology, Techniques, Training & Practice, Anatomy & Physiology, Yoga Philosophy and Lifestyle & Ethic which I now carry with full confidence to my own classes that I teach.

Thank you for your help and time. May I also take this opportunity to let you know that I really have learned a lot during this training. You have provided such a complete experience and I have truly enjoyed it.

And a huge thank you Sherry for putting this course together. I don’t really have anything but praise for it. I found it very, very informative, well planned, easy to follow, and hard and extensive enough I’m sure, to ensure only those really interested in the training/qualification would put the time and effort in to see it through. Great course. PLUS I was also soooo lucky in being able to come and meet you all and join some of the classes at Vista.

Thank you for a really incredible course. I’ve learned so much!

I’m impressed with the feedback you have given me, and it is valued and appreciated. What makes it special is that I feel like I have a personal relationship with you – that I am NOT anonymous. Your whole course is written from a place of caring and educating, and your feedback has always been the same. Thank you!!

By chance (are there coincidences? 😉) I finally found at yogavista what I was looking for at least 7 years: training for wheelchair yoga. A lot of information about possible clinical pictures of wheelchair users and what opportunities these students have to do yoga. A very important moment for me: wheelchair users can not only perform upper body and arm movements, but also partial leg movements! I’ve never thought of that. The training offers so much information in text form and the videos show an impression of how and what is possible in a wheelchair. If I had any questions, Sherry was always there for me with advice and help!

If you’re worried about wheelchair yoga: stop thinking! Book this training! You will never regret it! Although I wasn’t entirely convinced that I had the courage to really teach yoga classes for wheelchair users after completing my training, my certification teachback made me confident and happy. I found my dharma! Blessed love to Sherry and the team for this experience.

Hi Sherry, Thank you for the wonderful program. It is so well organized, clearly a labor of love.

I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying the course! It is so comprehensive and beautifully presented. I am loving it. Thanks for the option to retake quizzes. The course is already enhancing my chair yoga classes. I work at Assisted Living centers and a chiropractor’s wellness center.

I love the wealth of experience and knowledge offered by the instructors at Yoga vista academy! I love the variety of poses and progressions that the trainings provide! I know as soon as I learn something that it is going to have a tremendous impact on my students, and I am always excited to share what I have learned with them!

Yoga Vista Academy is helping me to help others and prepare them for longevity!

I love what I do and your courses and guidance have given me an amazing range of insights into ensuring those who attend my classes are given the best support I can give. I hope that I teach with confidence based on knowledge and a growing skill basis. Your courses are so well structured and detailed and I love the detailed functional anatomy understanding I now have.

I also like to imitate your approach of being in partnership with the students, sharing my knowledge so we can all be happier and healthier. I thought I was going to be ‘lost’ once I retired from teaching but have found a new satisfaction in life, knowing I am making a difference in the lives of others, even at my age. I turned 65 last month.

I have thoroughly enjoyed your program. I will be doing the final assignments and teach back in the coming months. I can’t wait to say I have completed this and say I am a certified chair yoga teacher! Your program was well thought out and easy to follow. Thank you!

I am learning so much from it, and am enjoying it a lot. I’m finding the “Conditions and Injuries” sections invaluable, because it has finally put a real “everyday” human slant on anatomy study!

Seriously though, thank you so much for your kind and encouraging words! I’m very happy to have found you on YouTube and absolutely love that we’re working together! Looking forward to many more dances together.

The layout of the course work is very cohesive. Completing the course has greatly enhanced my teaching skills and helped me to become more confident in my abilities as a Yoga teacher not only to seniors, but other populations as well. Thank you so much for the effort you have put into creating this course. I will be a devoted follower of Yoga Vista Academy in the future!

It hit home just how much posture is correlated with pain and discomfort. I always thought, “what’s the big deal? Just stand up straight!” Now that I’m a senior I have so much more compassion and I’m getting a taste of what my students are experiencing! The students find relief with regular practice with emphasis on awareness and alignment and that in itself is huge. Love your program. I have been inspired the whole way through. I am so thankful.

I’m so proud to be part of the Yoga Vista community and achieve my certification. It has shaped my direction and knowledge in profound ways! I’m so grateful for the supportive environment, your inspirational knowledge and energy. I will now take steps toward the gentle certification.

I felt that I understood the theory of how you got to the finished product and felt confident I could then teach the dance. There was enough information backed up by very effective video support. It was enough to get me on the way to completing the steps myself

I am so delighted to have passed my Chair Yoga Dance programme. It was a most wonderful experience and I am so pleased I decided to do my training with you.
I learnt so much from your very comprehensive programme and feel more confident in being able to put together routines and exercises in a safe and professional way.
The whole course was fun and very enjoyable from beginning to end and although we have never met I feel as though I know you personally.
Thank you Sherry, for sharing your skills and your extensive knowledge with your students. It is so appreciated and invaluable.

Thank you for the course – it’s so comprehensive ! I’ve encouraged several other local teachers to consider taking the course – seated yoga is much less developed in UK than it clearly is in the US. But with our changing population I have no doubt it will grow fast – I certainly hope so – I’m a huge fan!

I didn’t know anything about the problems of being in a wheelchair. Everything from spasms, to lack of use of core and breathing muscles, problems with body heat. All of the ‘real world’ experiences of wheelchair users was extremely helpful and vital to teaching a class with differing disabilities.

I am studying the Corporate Deskworker I must compliment you on such a fantastic course I am really enjoying it. It’s so interesting with lots of additional information I am now passing on to my students .

To me there is nothing like this that I have come across. Teachers need this kind of calm and clear format and the video visuals and reassurance! It’s at the same time detailed and comprehensive but fun!

The Chair Yoga Teacher Training and Certification programwas truly awesome and inspiring. I especially appreciated the detailed anatomy lessons. It really helps to know what poses and moves work for which muscle groups. The anatomy training was easy to follow and easy to understand and helped me increase my knowledge of muscles and their actions. The illustrations of poses and sequences was also very helpful for me. I can highly recommend this training program. The fact that it is available online is another huge plus!

Justine I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for the amazing 6-page feedback to my final homework.

I totally loved the handouts and videos and will use them for years to come. I have two private clients right now. She has SI joint instability and he has chronic sciatica! This info makes me look like I know what I’m doing. Thank you!!

Thank you for providing such a comprehensive course. I found it so easy to work through the modules because of the way the course was designed. The information on how to sequence and to better understand the physiological issues, that seniors may present with, was invaluable. I felt fully supported throughout the course, and I will continue to refer to the course materials ongoing.

It is extremely well organized and I can see how much time this has taken you. Also, I appreciate your teaching philosophy which is totally aligned with the way I have been teaching. Thank you!

Thank you for taking the time to create such a comprehensive program and to share your expertise and experience in such a candid and honest way! The depth of information on the aging body, anatomical issues with each part, combined with yoga poses to help mitigate issues was extremely helpful. Having a manual with diagrams and photos addressing these issues serves as a handy reference guide when preparing classes. I constantly find myself reviewing the manual as students identify their physical limitations. Your program was so extensive that after completing Gentle/Chair Yoga dual certification, I feel like I earned a medical degree! Thank You! Thank You! Keep doing what your are doing! You are making a difference in so many lives!

Thank you for your teachings. Your chair yoga course is very thorough and student friendly course to take. I learned a lot watching the videos as well.

I feel like I have been hanging out with you a lot lately doing the low back course! I keep meaning to tell you that I am really enjoying it so much. Life has been throwing me a lot of distractions so it is a challenge to keep moving at a pace I would like to, but I suppose it is going okay. I am on Chapter four now, and can’t wait to get into it because I have been having a lot of SI joint issues myself.

I am very much enjoying the course. Learning so much. The class I presented this morning was based on this course. Thank you, Sherry, and all who work with you.

Thanks so much for everything. You don’t know what this program has done for my self confidence. I am so motivated working with the seniors and I just keep learning more. My gratitude also to Justine and Viki for all of their cheerleading and kind words.

I really needed this class. I am tone deaf. I struggle to find 8 counts ( and I teach low impact aerobics 8 times each week). I took all of your strategies to help me! Your visuals of lyrics were a new helpful approach for me.

As a visual learner the presentation format of video clips of Sherry talking suited me. On the other hand the layout of the scripted format (cheat sheets) were very well set out and great support. I also appreciated Sherry’s almost immediate and personalised responses to my questions.

I loved the Posture Project Course and use that information all the time. You have inspired me, I have become the queen of props. I have been using balls, magic wands, drumsticks, hats, ninja items, and anything from the dollar store. They love it!!!! Thanks. I could never do this without your certification. I am also in yoga therapy class, and have 3 private older ladies. It is really helping them. Thanks again to you and Justine.

It means a lot to be certified as a teacher leading chair yoga. I feel like you helped me fill in the gaps from my yoga training. It’s harder than it looks to teach to adults who cannot get to the mat. Feels so much clearer to me now.

I appreciate all of the video shares and the sequences. I learn better by watching than reading from a text.

This certification was more than I expected and I learned so much. Thanks for the gentle coaching and the cheerleading. As a senior myself, this was very helpful.

I really love the Chair Dance, it is my favorite part of the class now!  I have a background in gymnastics and dance (Ballet, jazz, modern and tap).  I used to choreograph floor routines and local musical theater, so the Chair Dance comes very naturally to me.  I love watching my classes smile and get into the movements.  One of my students, who has MS, said to me,” You don’t know what a gift it is to people that can’t move well to be able to dance!”  Made me cry…

It is clear that Sherry has put lot of time, effort and passion in creating this course. I was amazed by all the information that is in this course. It is so complete, detailed and thorough. And it’s fun!

I am Jyoti Nanda from India, and I have enrolled in the Gentle Chair Yoga For Seniors online course. Just wanted to say that this is an amazing course. I am a RYT 200 and an Ananda Yoga trained teacher. I am committed to making yoga accessible to as many seniors as possible.

WHAT DID YOU THINK ABOUT THE LECTURE/YOGA PRESENTATION SERIES?

“I liked that we were able to get a brief intro in the beginning of class to learn about what and why we were practicing in class and how it affects us everyday. ”

“There was so much to learn. It was much better than being fire hosed with everything all at once. Breaking it up into several sessions was a great idea.”

“Can’t wait to get Sherry’s videos and do these on a nightly basis at home.”

“The lecture helps me visualize what muscles I am working.”

“I liked all the explanation throughout the entire Series. So much new information I did not know about.”

“What she was teaching in lecture is what we focused on in the class. It tied it all together. “

Ever since the day I first called you when I signed up for the class because I had trouble getting on the website. You actually answered the phone, on your way to teach. I was amazed that I talked to you in person and you remembered me signing up. It was so personable. I know you are growing but if you can keep that intimacy it really makes a difference. I really feel how true and passionate you are in wanting to create great teachers. It is amazing how you link your students together creating a community. This helps so much especially with the distance learning. Thank you for all you do and I plan on getting more certifications from you in the future.

I am so excited to finish the chair Yoga certification. I loved every minute of it!!!! As a nurse, the anatomy was very informative and great to help anyone understand the body. The videos are amazing and the support you give is great. I cannot say enough good things about your program!!!! I was worried taking an online class, but it was as if you were there there the entire time!!!! I learned so much and will tell everyone how amazing this course was. I am going to take all the classes on your site, and continue to learn. Thanks again!!!! This was life changing for me!!!!! Thanks again!!!

I do love the course materials, You Tubes, newsletters, etc. but somehow I became, in Corey’s nice word, “stalled.” A few days after Corey emailed me, I finished the section on the spine and took the tests. Thank you for creating the mentor/cheerleader position. I feel I’m not alone now.

Content… The amount of information in the course was unbelievable. It was well-delivered. The PDF documents were organized perfectly. And I appreciate the videos throughout. Applying different learning methods really helped it all come together for me. Testing… I actually felt like I got real feedback. This is so unusual this day and age and I feel like I am a better teacher for it. The course made me stop and think about who I am as a teacher.

I am learning a TON! This program is so fascinating, approachable, and immediately applicable. I’m loving it!

I have learned so much in the Gentle Yoga Class. I am teaching a gentle flow class tonight and they will definitely be doing goddess arms in Warrior 1!
What prompted me to register for your gentle yoga program to begin with was I had students with hip, knee and shoulder replacements. My real concern was the woman attending class while getting spinal injections. I was so afraid I was going to break them that I wanted specialized training.

Once again I found Sherry’s Dance Program an excellent professional training program. The videos were presented with a high level of technical expertise while the actual content was creative and imaginative, detailed and very easy to understand. The variety of dances means everyone can find dances and music they really like and respond to. People in my classes absolutely love these dances.

Gerry Hurtig is a real jewel! He is a great motivator and support for getting on with the plan. This is such a wonderful course you have put together!

WOW! I received so much personal growth from the Chair Yoga certification course. The teachers are knowledgeable, experienced and supportive which provided for a wonderful learning experience. Each of their unique backgrounds and approaches provided another dimension to the course. The materials were rich with information and well-written. There was so much more that I received from taking this class than I had ever thought possible. Thanks so much for all that you and your staff do to help teachers like me grow in our yogic lives.

It was such a blessing for me to come across the Yoga Vista Academy online program. It’s inexpensive and easy to work. I was able to recieve such detailed knowledge on the aging process and all the main issues that can contribute to pain. Learning about the anatomy was so helpful. I appreciated the information to print and videos to reinforce what you are learning. I loved Sherry’s style and she really inspired me to become the best chair yoga teacher I can be.

There are different types and styles of yoga and working with students on this program that brings such variety and benefits. All the teachers are dedicated and inspiring. You become a part of that community, with the ability to use the videos as often as you desire. I could go on and on about Yoga Vista Academy online program. I plan on continuing going through some more of the many workshops and programs, for there are many! I recommend it highly!

I am doing my on line chair yoga certification course with you right now. And I must tell you that it is very well planned. I have learned so…. much from you! I would like to thank you for all the hard work you’ve put into it. I have completed my 200 hours yoga training in 2015 and have been teaching since then. For past two years, I have been teaching chair yoga at an adult day care center to seniors. I had watched some of your YouTube videos and you inspired me to do the chair yoga certification course. Again, thank you for that!

I knew the moment I saw the 1 hour Chair yoga dance recital that I wanted to learn how to teach this magic. The training was in depth and easy to follow. Sherry’s videos were like learning from a friend. I have done several different online trainings from other sources. Yoga Vista and Sherry make their trainings feel very personal. I loved the quick responses from Sherry herself to emails that I sent. Also, it’s great to get the encouraging emails every time one finishes a module. Positive reinforcement is welcome always. This training definitely equipped me to not just teach CYD, but to also create my own dances which is fun and fulfilling! Thank you!

The Anatomy of Aging module was fantastic. The anatomical details presented were sufficient for a yoga teachers purposes organized in an understandable and informative format. Insight was given into movement, conditions, injuries and modifications that exceeded my expectations. The self-paced study allowed me to progress at my own rate. The tests, teach back and assignments were terrific learning tools. Overall the organization of the course was an excellent way of presenting a large amount of material. I would recommend this course to every yoga teacher whether or not your interest is in Chair or Gentle yoga.

I enjoyed the Posture Project, feel like I am more aware of the misalignments in the yoga students and just in the general population! I catch myself looking at people everywhere I go with attention to their posture. I loved the idea of the questionnaire and the before and after photos of the students. The Fascia-nation sequence is a fun way to introduce the students to the fascia netting of our bodies.

I am learning so much thru this certification program! So grateful that I found You and Chair Yoga. I love the gentle yoga classes I teach and look forward to teaching Chair Yoga!

Justine’s ‘Gentle Yoga for Low Back’ training is phenomenal. Her in-depth knowledge of anatomy, skillful sequencing, and experience as a yoga therapist shines throughout the training. I came away from this training with the knowledge and confidence needed to teach individuals with low back conditions safely. Highly recommend it!

Sherry Zak Morris is an absolute amazing woman. She oozes positive energy, she is highly knowledgeable in her craft as a Chair Yoga Teacher and Gentle Senior Yoga Teacher and her presentation skills are exceptional. Sherry has also being very supportive. She is bases in the USA and I’m her student in Ireland and I’ve had more heart warming email from her with positive encouraging words and she is never too busy to reply. Her teaching methods has me in awe of her and I hold her in a very high regard. Sherry is a true inspiration and so lovely inside and out.

Despite this being an online class with no direct contact, I felt completely supported throughout the process. You were there to answer any questions, and I felt comfortable asking for help. I enjoyed the mix of readings, quizzes and videos. It is user friendly and comprehensive.

I just wanted to check in and let you know how much I’m enjoying the chair yoga teacher training! I really appreciate the mix of written material and video presentations. Also, I wanted to share with you how impressed I am with the handouts. They are so comprehensive and unlike anything I’ve ever received in any yoga training that I’ve done in the past.
I currently work at UVM Medical Center in the Psychiatry Department as a licensed mental health counselor in a partial hospitalization program for mental health. I’m also a yoga teacher at a few yoga studios locally (certified at the 200 hour level). I’m super passionate about combining those worlds.

When they worked my eyes and told me that I could no longer do the positions on the ground I was destroyed … I had waited a lifetime to become a yoga teacher and suddenly 4 retinal interventions stop me! To discover that someone had given the importance of yoga even when sitting, made me born again … so thank you!

I’m really enjoying the teacher training and have already incorporated many of the dances in my chair yoga classes. My students really love them… My mom’s favorite is “Locomotion.” I love doing the dances! Thanks for creating the teacher certification program!! I can’t wait to create some dances… just waiting for songs to find me!

Thank YOU for your inspiring course and continuing to inspire with videos, the forum, newsletters, etc. You inspired me to rise to the challenge to offer a class that really has meaning, depth, “meat” and value. I hope we get to meet in person. You are a jewel!

I have felt from the onset of the program that there was a real person that was available for support and guidance. I love the organization of the program! The online materials were easy to access, read and digest. I do appreciate the inherent redundancy in the chapters. This helps me remember concepts and asanas and to see their inter-relatedness. Thank you for offering this program! I know that I will use the written and online resources for years to come.

Yes, I love the course!! So thorough and inspiring, I want to eat it with a spoon and digest it all immediately. But I know that’s not possible! I wish I had found you a year ago, but at least I am with you now.

I must say that the material, videos and various teaching methods were fantastic. I did not know what to expect in an online course but I feel that I learned more than the face to face format as I was able to control the pace, access the information any time and remain focused. I loved the mentoring and coaching offered by Corey as it kept me interested and I was able to connect with others who were experiencing the program at the same time. I also enjoyed receiving your newsletters and Corey’s cheerful e-mails which brought so much fun to the program.

I have so much enjoyed the course. You are an amazing teacher and why ? not just your knowledge, but more so your open and cheerfull fun personality. I never get bored watching you.
I just wanted to let you know. Thanks for the fun time.

I truly found the Chair Yoga Program to be beyond informative. You offer SO many resources to the student. I loved that a mentoring program was offered, studying at your own pace, yoga videos, modules, and “spot on” yoga lessons. I learned so much regarding anatomy and the aging of our bodies and how to correct and decrease pain. I liked the emphasis on how to cue and speaking loud and clearly. Honestly, I would highly recommend this training to any one that wants to incorporate these important subjects. For me personally, I have become a better version of myself.

I am so enjoying taking the chair yoga certification course! Once completed hope to visit “Yoga Vista Academy” You guys are awesome!!!

Your wonderful training has helped my career progress tremendously, because with the training and experience I have the confidence to charge what I’m worth. I have become a Chair Yoga “expert” in the area, and turn down or refer so many offers to other teachers. My hourly rate has gone from about $40 to a range of $60 – 90!

To be a witness of the whole adventure of dance creation was a sheer fun! Step by step instructions, made learning this dance such a enjoyable experience!

Omg both certifications have been the best investments that I have made in a long night time. You are amazing yoga treasures.

WHAT WILL I DO DIFFERENTLY NOW THAT I KNOW?

“I use the techniques to stretch and move my body throughout the day hopefully preventing muscle/tendons/etc. issues.”

“I am aware of my posture when at my PC and correct it more often than before.”

“Improving my posture. Stretching regularly.”

“Sit Up More!”

“Constantly be more aware of my posture and work on breathing exercises.”

“I try and remember to stretch!”

Every night and morning I am spending at least two hours. I am so excited to finish and start practicing. I live in Carmel, Ca where we have a huge elderly population. I have been watching your videos since November in the middle of my teacher training. I love the way you teach all the anatomy tidbits. I find chair yoga so fascinating because anyone can do it! You are an inspiration!

The first time I learned about YOU was on-line. I was researching ideas on yoga training and with the click of a button found you dancing to Living on the Corner of Joy and Gratitude. I felt your big heart and love for your students come through the computer screen that day. As I danced along and couldn’t quit smiling, I knew you had something special to offer and had to find out more. Fast forward to today and I have completed the on-line Chair Yoga training as well as my Teachback. I include several of your dances in my current Silver Sneakers classes. ‘The River’ is their favorite.

Justine’s low back certification has been some of the best training I have done to help students with a myriad of back issues.

I completed the posture project for the 50+ this morning!!! I love to watch your videos which are very easy to listen and understand. You inspire me with so many ideas and I’m very excited to prepare my one hour class incorporating hula motion since I live in Hawaii.

It’s amazing to see the interest in these senior and chair classes. I am not even done with my classes and people are asking me to teach!!

I am LOVING the program!

It’s always a challenge living in a remote location – being unable to access many ‘live’ training programs.

This one truly is amazing!

For what I love BEST: (besides YOU) The availability of online courses OR just viewing bits and pieces of classes for free or almost free!! I am not RYT, but Group Fitness certified through AFAA and need to keep up my CEUs for my accreditation. Your classes are so much more valuable to me than any AFAA classes I have taken over the many years as a group instructor. At age 63 I don’t know how much longer I can teach aerobics, but I am definitely looking forward to bringing yoga to our local seniors for many years!

Thanks for your generous sharing and inspiration. Keep up the good work!

I’m enjoying the Live Mentoring Chair Yoga Training Program for many reasons:
1. We can get immediate answers to any questions. Also, as we practice with one another, we can ask specific questions pertaining to poses we are doing as we are doing them.

2. We can share ideas and learn from others. It is nice to meet people that are taking the class and building relationships with them over time. In addition, we can practice in front of people.

3. The sections are divided and manageable. Having a small test after each one is helpful because there is a lot of information to absorb. The coursework is set up for our success.

I feel like I am learning and have such an abundant assortment of resources. And of course, amazing teachers!

Almost done with chapter 1 and I love everything about this already! I loved your introduction and the picture of your half lotus pose is me!
I feel at home! The way you talk and present yourself totally draws me to this program!

THANK YOU so very much for everything – knowledge, info, support. I feel like this course is now one I will keep referring back to – without it being yet another dusty yoga book on my shelf. I know I’ll be dipping into the manuals and talks for a very long time.

I would like to extend my thanks to you. I appreciate that throughout the program you touched base with me/us as students. I always felt that I could reach out to you if I needed to do so because your welcoming personality shines through, even in emails! Your program is a wonderful, comprehensive program.

An area that I have been investigating is how positivity and happiness affect health, and the relationship between health and the positivity of Chair Yoga Dance. I am confident that every teacher who uses Chair Yoga Dance witnesses students having fun, laughing and increased smiles. It has been my experience that student’s level of happiness increases during Chair Yoga Dance and my students report they feel the psychological and physical benefits.

Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, a leading researcher at the University of North Carolina in the expanding field of Positive Psychology wrote, “When people get excited about their physical health potential it is possible to thrive in life, even in the face of illness.” I believe it is empowering for yoga teachers to understand the medical evidence underpinning the potential benefits of Chair Yoga Dance. This is especially true in the field of positive psychology and aging. I incorporate more of elements of positivity, eye contact and reassuring smiles during Chair Yoga Dance sessions, my students love the classes and keep returning for more.

I finished the Anatomy Section of the training. I just…. I have no words for how amazing it is. I’m working on formulating a review of this program. It’s just…. well. I’m sure you know. My confidence has increased. When I teach my yoga classes, I actually feel as if I KNOW WHAT I’M TALKING ABOUT! Not just repeating something I learned. That’s what’s amazing about this. The understanding that lies underneath her teaching. I’ve been yearning for something in yoga… something I couldn’t explain or even understand. But now I know. I just needed the answer to the question WHY. Now I know so many more answers to why we teach what we teach in yoga… why we do certain movements in certain ways. Even my students have noticed a difference.

I just wanted to share with you what happened in my chair yoga class at the Senior Citizens yesterday. We had a regular class and I had been teaching the tray and tea cup exercises. At the end of class I passed out little battery operated candles and explained this would be our quiet restful closing. I turned off the lights as they turned on their candles and we did the tea cup. Everyone was quiet for a minute then they all broke out into the children’s Bible song “Let you little light shine”. It was such an encouraging and inspirational event. Thanks for showing me all the benefits and pleasures of chair yoga. Please keep it up! You just don’t know how many people you uplift and inspire!!!

I also like the way that you try to encourage us to be creative, which shows both on your handouts and videos. One of the many best things in this program is that there’s no time limit, which doesn’t put much stress on the students (like me)! All in all, I have to say that I do love this fruitful program!

I am glad to say that the Live Mentoring Program was an asset. Those sessions were definitely a plus to be able to ask questions and receive constructive critiques. Jane was such an informative mentor and personal teacher, the sessions had a relaxed atmosphere just like when you are teaching your chair yoga classes which I still love watching. Thank You for a wonderful experience.

In my personal case I feel that this is wonderful for older adults. Every day I discover more the desire to live to enjoy that they have, I am surprised, I am fascinated, it is like that playful part that lacked yoga, they love to meditate, but I feel this part as a meditation in movement, although none of the musical themes are slow, they expect this part as children waiting for their candy, this is what fascinates me.

I am sitting here with a smile on my face because you have encouraged me so much. As I have said before, what a wonderful experience this has been to take and complete your course. There is just so much information that I have received and am now able to share with my students.

I’m thoroughly enjoying the course and learning so much. I’ve worked with seniors a number of years and have been teaching chair yoga for about 10 years. I started this course as a refresher and to learn some new ideas, but this course is so much more than I expected it to be! Love it! You’re a great teacher.

The course is meeting my needs and expectations, thank you. I am pleased and excited to offer even more poses and information to my students. It is giving me added confidence and a good refresher on top of my 200 hour certification.

I have been teaching Yoga for 10 years and Chair Yoga in gyms, wellness centers and nursing facilities for several years. I have had numerous wheelchair users in my classes. I feel I intuitively knew how to carefully and safely cue and I frequently invited the physical therapists to sit in. With that said, I still felt I was lacking the skills to assist me in creating classes with enough material to include “every body.” While I was/am sensitive to limitations, I had concerns that I may not be using appropriate verbiage. This course has given me the knowledge and confidence I was hoping for! Now I go into my blended classes with plan A, plan B and a plan C…just in case. 😊. I now feel I am as ready as I can be.

Teaching “on the fly” happens all the time. Yesterday I taught my weekly Yin Yoga class. When I entered the room I had my normal group of students as well as two new students seated in chairs – (Enter YVA Chair Yoga and Yoga for Seniors training). I modified Yin Asana’s for the chair for these students. In addition, I had students with lower back-pain (Enter YVA Yoga for Low-Back Pain) and used certain movements for them. But wait – there’s more! I had a student that is 8 months pregnant (Enter YVA Pregnancy Yoga – STOP – there isn’t one!!), so I modified low-back and gentle yoga for this student. Total student population for this session – 27. One never knows what comes to them and we use the skills that we have learned over the years. THANKS Sherry Zak Morris and Justine Shelton for your teachings and instilling the confidence in us to address each class with a deep breath and confidence. You two R-O-C-K!

The courses I have taken have been terrific . Not only did I learn a lot, it was information I could USE. Additionally the way the material was presented I have been about to recall it (sometimes spontaneously) or been able to look up something I wanted to refresh.

I really enjoyed taking your course. I chose it because of your focus on anatomy and I learned so much. The course was very thorough.

Yoga Vista Academy inspires me through its newsletters and YouTube videos. However, the impact of working my way through the Chair Yoga Certification program has made a tremendous difference in my growth as a Chair Yoga teacher. Teaching Chair Yoga classes to people with widely differing abilities requires significant knowledge to ensure student safety as well as their progression. Yoga Vista Academy gave me that and so much more as part of their certification program. And I know there’s more to come!!!

After taking this Program, my confidence level is 10. I am already working with a wheelchair user and feel ready to work with many many more in the years to come. This Program provides an understanding of the needs of a wheelchair user regarding yoga as well as ideas for group classes, anatomy, props, and sample classes.

I have to say that I am THOROUGHLY enjoying this course. As a technical writer and instructional designer for the past 25 years, I have to admit that I am a bit “snobbish” about participating in training programs as an attendee. The design of this course is fabulous. I love that you provide the options of auditory and visual means for learning (I happen to be visual).

The size of each module allows a person to successfully complete the modules even within the time constraints of their personal and professional lives. I particularly like having the PDF files (not only because I’m visual) but because I can print them and highlight things that warrant my personal attention further.

It’s all going smooth and sweet so far. And such a great training! Really good work. Many practical advices, examples, testimonies, shared experiences, all knowledge good and precisely presented, easy to follow (nice handouts!) and very practice oriented. Well done indeed.

The amount of time you spend organizing really shines through in every aspect of the program! Mary Cavanaugh would be amazed at how far you have carried Chair Yoga and YogaVista Academy! You encourage your students to go at their own pace and develop their own style.  And, the way you so generously share your knowledge goes beyond the  requirements for offering these courses.

I am so grateful to be a part of this yoga community! I have learned so much about anatomy, thanks to you and Justine. I really like the way the course is designed. Taking the a test after each section is brilliant! I have three notebooks full of information that you guys provided throughout the course. Wonderful to have to refer back to. Having access to the teaching videos is something that I take advantage of on a regular basis. A chair yoga teacher who attends my gentle yoga classes when in my area, is so impressed with what I have learned is going to take the chair yoga course you offer.

I just wanted to share with you that today I did my first full chair yoga in a nursing home. Todate I’ve taught to the Parkinson Association, then set up my own chair yoga class in my home town for the active retired, but today I took it to a whole new level where every one was in wheelchair, several amputees, deaf and even one blind man. Now! you’d swear I was doing this all my life as it was one of the most enjoyable, rewarding and humbling class, and boy our seniors love a laugh, they had me sing Joe Dolan-More And More, Neil Diamond-Hands Touching Hands. It was fantastic! Everyone engaged and love it.

So I guess I was so excited about it all that I just wanted to share it with you. This was all possible thanks to you, your team and all your invaluable handouts, videos, tests and teachbacks even though it’s an overwhelming amount of material. Love, love, love you and your Vista Team xxxxx

A young man, who has a brain injury as a result of being knocked off his bike, joined my home classes just before the summer break and returned today. He has been having plenty of physio and continues to do so but has practised yoga in the past and is really enjoying getting back to it. In the few classes he did earlier in the summer he just came for half my class which we practise in our chairs but he was keen to stay for the full class once strong enough to manage the transfer onto the z-beds.. so today he did so and his assistant stayed and helped him with the transfer and a few times in positioning himself. It worked really well and he is keen to continue with the full class from now on. He is so motivated, it’s a pleasure to work with him. I really am so grateful Sherry for your part in starting me off on this course.

My love & excitement for what I’m doing with chair yoga is all down to your ‘generosity of spirit’ Sherry, and your willingness to share all that you believe is good with your students & trainees the world over. You are truly inspiring !

I do not have the words to explain how much I have learned through this program. It is awesome! (Not easy, but awesome.) I find myself using the information and recommendations in my regular and corporate classes that I teach. It has really provided another dimension to my classes. Thanks to you and Justine for an excellent program.

I would highly recommend the Live! program to any aspiring chair yoga teacher, or to any yoga teacher who wants to add chair classes to his/her repertoire. I found the line on the cover of your Teaching and Certification Training Manual to be true: I have indeed been empowered with knowledge, skills and confidence! For me, the live element was key to my decision to do this training. I know from experience that I don’t finish most of the online learning I begin. Lynda is a fantastic teacher with much to share. In addition, I know that I learned a great deal from the other student teachers in our live group. My experience was more than worth my 6 hour round-trip commute.

I loved this program. It was above and beyond my expectations. What really captured me about this program – beyond the great content – is the integrity with which the program is delivered, the generosity and genuine caring towards the student development in service of preparing good teachers, and the love of seniors/working with seniors. It was so inspiring…and fun…and creative!

A teacher called me looking for a sub for her classes. She has been teaching chair dance classes that she copied from YouTube. She knew I taught chair, didn’t know that I teach dance too. We live in a small town and she thought she was the only one. I told her that I did your training, she was surprised that I bothered with the training since she “just copied them and already knows 12 dances”. I’m glad I did the training, it has helped me create my own fun dances.

I wanted to widen my experience and was really interested in all the anatomy and physiology on your site too. So I registered and undertook the Yoga for Corporate workers and worked my way through the course which I loved. I initially started writing because I was really interested in the Wheelchair Yoga course – and I am, but it has given me the courage to introduce myself and let you know that thousands of miles away there is someone who has learned so much from you, gets daily inspiration from your courage and spirit and lots of warmth and laughter too

I am very grateful for your course. The information provided throughout the course was great! I learned a lot and a couple of my friends from LMU YTRX program have shown interest in taking your course. I speak highly of you and your Yoga academy…

I am a quadriplegic that had been seeking out a yoga class to meet my needs and found Sherry. She is internationally recognized for senior yoga – a population filled with disabilities and restrictions. Her online Chair Yoga Certification Program introduced me to other disabled class enrollees in England that are teaching yoga there.

Sherry is fun and approachable. For teachers interested in including people with disabilities and seniors in their class or for someone wanting to gain this knowledge and teach a chair yoga class, I strongly recommend this program.

I just want to thank you so much again for all you have given me. Thanks to you starting with chair yoga certification, I went on to study yoga therapy with breathe deeply program. And nowI am in Florida and teaching gentle and chair yoga to women 60 and over. I also have three private clients. I can’t tell you how great the information is that have given me. The anatomy of aging body is amazing! I watch your videos over and over. Your programs are so thorough there is nothing else out there!! I’m just preparing for my class and looking over some of your videos and I’m so happy to have them as a resource. Thank you again both so much for everything!!. I don’t think people say thank you enough to other people so thank you again for bringing your knowledge to us! I no longer have to go back to nursing and I feel so good that although I’m not a nurse, I’m still helping people.

I just want you ladies to know how much I have enjoyed this course. You guys have done a fabulous job with organizing and teaching the materials. Thank you, Anita Whittle

People are the very heart of the yoga visa academy. I love friendliness the optimism & positive support from everyone I have come into contact with.

The knowledge you share in such a loving & generous way, and the positive feedback & support you give is so enabling. I love that within 4 weeks of starting my Chair Yoga class Yoga Vista has already helped me to make a difference to people’s lives. One student told me she was now confident to climb the stairs using alternate feet (rather than leading with just one leg) and a second that she could now do up her shoes. I think that really says it all. Thank you so much …

I learned so much from Sherry Zak Morris and her Yoga Vista Academy team during the six-month online Mentor Chair Yoga Program! The most impressive results for me are: I have more participants in my classes – my energy is in the flow! I used to get very tired after the sessions. Now I’m filled with energy, love and grace which the students give me back!

The Videos and Online Modules are very exciting; you learn Yoga poses and anatomy from a different perspective. Yes, and I found out that I’m an entertainer! We laugh and giggle a lot more during Chair Yoga! Thank you Sherry Zak Morris, Corey Stiles and Justine Shelton!

Namaste from Switzerland

I think just helping people realize that their posture unconsciously becomes their real physical body is my imperative take away from the Posture Project and what I try to relay to people in my class. I have not tried to just tell my fellow man or woman at the grocery store that their hip leaning is creating an imbalance in their body and it shows, however I do think telepathy is a growing trend, and people are picking up on the unified field of thought. So, maybe if I just starting projecting posture corrections onto people they will begin to find new breath in the unconscious faults that become crystallized in their physical vessel.

I think it is really brilliant how you lay this out. It makes sense to me, even if sometimes I need to re-watch to make sure I understand, that is just how I need to learn. But this is broken down into all the necessary aspects, lyrics, song structure, movement/choreography, and each builds upon the other allowing for the repetition that is necessary for really learning the dance.

It was a great course, the lessons and videos where extremely well done. It is an Honor to be a graduate of Yoga Vista Academy.

First and foremost thank you for creating such an incredible program. I have grown so much with the knowledge you have shared with me. I am excited to get back teaching in my community to give it forward as you have both done for me.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for creating this training for yoga teachers. I am a 200 hr trained teacher and I am enjoying all of this training, especially the anatomy. Well designed, well done. I currently have a chair yoga group I work with at an assisted living facility, and I get to practice on them. They love it! These classes are so needed for our senior population. I like to give them encouragement, for example, balance can improve, flexibility can improve. I get lots of hugs and compliments. I have found what I want to do in retirement. Thank you for helping me!

A BIG thank you to all of you! I learned so much through this program and now I have great resources (videos, manual, YOU) I can turn to when needed.

I am really learning amazing things about yoga and the aging process.

I wanted to tell you that I think the best take away from this course was not having to handle seniors with kit gloves like they are made of glass, and giving them multiple challenge level options so they can choose as to how they feel that day.

I can’t believe how in-depth and complete the material was for the Gentle Yoga Low-Back Care certification program. The videos were wonderful and were a great addition to the written portion of each section. I was able to immediately apply the information from each chapter to the yoga classes I teach. Justine is so amazing in her ability to provide both the lecture and demonstrations in the videos. She is such a great cheerleader. Thanks for an outstanding and fun program!

I feel so blessed to have found you and Justine and your program. You have enriched my life and through the knowledge I have gained in your program, I can pay it forward.

I recently gave up my job to teach more classes and set up a lovely chair yoga class in my home town Tramore for the active retired, and a nursing home has asked me to start this Tuesday so I start your module on Teaching Chair Yoga in Senior Care Facilities before I started on the Teach back. It’s so great to have each and every module, handout and video to help us yogis along in their journey to help others. I will be eternally grateful to you and all your time, effort and love in creating these online courses.

I really loved Sherry’s video where she discussed teaching a chair yoga class vs a wheelchair yoga class. Learning about these key differences were very insightful & extremely helpful!

Thanks for sharing your indepth personal knowledge of low back pain and for creating a superb teacher training program that prepares us teachers to safely serve our students. Feeling blessed to have discovered you two 🙂

At first I was hesitant about online training. But after taking a course I realized just how valuable YVA training is. Not only are the trainings jammed packed with posture, anatomy and teaching strategies, I can pause, rewind and go back again and again so that I don’t miss one juicy detail. Looking forward to my next training.

The chair yoga teacher training program was invaluable to hone and fine-tune my yoga education to serve the 55+ population I teach in South Florida. I found that during my 200 hour certification, anatomy was my weakest area because I just didn’t have much of an interest or understanding, but in this program it was so easy to follow that I found myself becoming an anatomy geek. It was general anatomy, yes, but also what happens to the body as it ages, or with various health conditions. I find myself incorporating many of the concepts and movements into my traditional hatha mat classes as well, and the class attendance has improved as a result. I was dubious about how well I would learn using video content, and was very pleasantly surprised to find out how effective it was. Not only did I feel as if I was there, but I have all of the content as reference materials too! I highly recommend this course, and all Yoga Vista Academy offerings. May we keep up this vital work that blesses so many!

One thing that I was not expecting from this Program was the effect that it was going to have on me — I benefited a great deal from doing the movements and felt the effects firsthand that my students will experience in my classes. Don’t go thinking that this won’t benefit regular practitioners — you’d be pleasantly surprised to find out just how wonderfully these movements complement an established asana practice. While my faith in online programs has been restored, it wouldn’t have been possible if there weren’t a team of people who not only are truly dedicated to helping others, but make sure that you as the student are learning and make sure to help you if you have any trouble. THANK YOU Sherry and the entire Yoga Vista team for sharing your valuable wisdom and for putting together such a comprehensive program. Definitely going to pursue the Chair Yoga Program next 🙂

I am so impressed with the attention, care, and in depth analysis of the teachback and other aspects of teacher training certification for the Chair Yoga Program. Thoughtful, wise, and helpful. Wow. The uplifting positivity in how Sherry and others offered teaching is powerful. Great role modeling for us other teachers. Also powerful is the insight into age related issues which otherwise make teaching a chair yoga for seniors a bit intimidating. Very in depth in terms of aging related anatomy and how to offer modifications.

I wanted to tell you that I am thoroughly enjoying your Gentle Yoga teacher certification. I have been chipping away at it slowly. Rather than speeding through it, I chose to read one chapter or module at a time and teach it in my style to my class. This morning, I did your class called “gentle yoga class: extra umpf of ujaii and sun salutation”. I absolutely loved it. At one point in the class, you asked a question to your students and I caught myself answering your question…haha..online…real-time.. what’s the difference?

Loved the program and have been recommending it big time. I learned a lot from it and have brought many things I learned into my regular classes as well. I feel so much better about teaching seniors and chair yoga after taking this course. You probably were able to tell I have mastered the tea cup and finally figured out how to cue it. All my students love that one and many others. My feedback is all positive. Being able to do it on my time table was extremely helpful. I did everything! The videos were great as well as the anatomy PDFs.

The content in the handouts and the videos were complete and thorough. Seeing the videos of the different teaching styles was very encouraging for me to explore. Be ready to study and learn. There is so much science and practice that makes this program completely comprehensive. Thank you for such a brilliant effort!

I love this training program! There truly is NOTHING I would change. I could work at my own pace, study offline (handouts), study online (videos) watching as the material was discussed/ practiced and real, live class instruction demonstrated, then take the tests when I was ready. Since I tend to be more of a visual learner, this approach really fit my preferred learning style perfectly! There were plenty of real examples provided and lots of bonus extra videos to supplement my learning. I have all the handouts in one big binder and still refer to it for ideas, yet love the idea that I can go back to the website whenever I desire. After course completion, I felt well prepared to teach classes on my own…and I have!

I have gotten so much out of your course and you have helped me find my personal “why”.

“Hundreds of people walk outside our doors throughout the year, and we pay no attention them. We only pay our attention to those that knock on our doors.” I think of our minds like that with energy and intuition. Intuition brought me to your online class. I am grateful for the intuitive knock.

I started a chair yoga class three weeks ago and it is going very well. We had a reporter from our local paper come to class on Friday, it will be written up in our local paper. We are averaging around 21 lovely seniors ! Our reporter friend, 24 years young, did chair yoga with the class!

I had no idea how successful my chair yoga classes would be! I started a class in January as a volunteer at our senior center. From that I have grown exponentially via word of mouth. I am now teaching 6 classes a week, and am being asked to do more.

Thank you from the center of my heart for your patience and kindness. I am SO grateful that you, your amazing team, and chair yoga has come into my life!! I hear from my students how they have benefited from their practice of chair yoga. Classes are full, fun, and flexible.

I am really enjoying the course. I was an elementary school teacher and I have attended many yoga training where there is not even a manual. I am impressed with the amount of thought, effort and pedagogy that has gone into the online chair yoga program.

I have learned and relearned so much. I am a retired nurse and anatomy and physiology have always been one of my passions. I love incorporating all the new poses and information from the course. I will certainly be going forward with the extras that have been provided. I am loving every minute of it!

Thank you for your very thorough and well thought through courses.

I found this program very resourceful. It’s been my pleasure to be a part of this program as doing something good for senior people has been my passion during the past ten years, not to mention Thailand is coming towards the aging society sooner or later.

I really love the course so far! I love your personality, it shines through in all the videos and you never get boring 😂.

I have loved this training! This training has instilled more confidence in working with low back issues, not only in teaching, but in personal practice. In fact, my own sense of self-esteem has strengthened with the empowerment of better understanding the nature of the problems that can involve the spine and how I can personally work with these issues in my spine and feel confident in teaching yoga to others with loads of low back pain. Chronic pain is a drain on life energy, but having the right tools to work with pain is pure gold!

You know that the only reason why “I got it”, is because your videos and handouts are exceptional and that I viewed your materials at least 3 times. In some cases, I used your videos for my personal practice and then taught your sequence to my students as a way of reinforcing what I learned from you. My students love your teachings and keep coming for more.

My community has fallen in love with chair yoga because of you and your amazing team!

What a powerful experience so far! I love the online training—so comprehensive! And Jane (the Live Mentor Teacher) is marvelous—I wish I lived in Chicago so I could practice at her studio. I have had some pretty disappointing experiences with yoga training, but you are restoring my faith! Thank you!

The course has really helped me to gain confidence in teaching seated yoga, by basing it so strongly in the context of the physiology of ageing. The depth of information about anatomy, injuries, philosophies and yoga modifications to work alongside everyone’s particular body issues, is really exceptional. I’ve found it so helpful and I know that it will continue to provide endless stimulation and ideas.

I have been teaching Chair yoga for the past 2 years and would never have attempted it without the help from your video’s. My 200 hour training covered a very small portion of chair yoga. After my Chemo, I know all about the aches and pains of aging and now I can feel for my students in a whole new light. I was asked to teach another class at the senior place, and feel I need more knowledge, so thank you for this course and hopefully this 73 year old body and mind can keep up. I love my class at the senior housing and the people, they keep me so motivated and uplifted, it is the best thing I could have done.

I have never found anatomy to be exciting, and didn’t receive a lot of anatomy in my 200-hour yoga teacher training. Learning anatomy on my own was both overwhelming and intimidating. When I was researching this course I saw something that said I didn’t didn’t need to be an anatomy expert to take the course. WOW.That was a relief so I went for it. I had a college professor say many times “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” That is the way this course is put together. The anatomy is broken down into sections, so it isn’t intimidating at all if anatomy isn’t your thing. I’m a long way away from being an “anatomy geek” but it no longer intimidates me. Additionally, Justine’s yoga therapy teaching provided new insights to me that really enhanced my understanding of many concepts along the way.

Sherry I cannot express to you how much my report card means to me. Last week was an exceptionally challenging week for me (we all have those!). So, receiving your assessment of my TeachBack came at just the right time. I admire you so very much, and the positive feedback I received from you, was a balm to my soul. I want to be the Yoga Instructor who makes you proud, and is representative of the Yoga Vista Academy’s excellence.

The online class was perfect for me. It was easy to stop and start when I needed to and thanks for the extension from 6 months to almost a year! The videos made the experience more real and helped with ideas for my own class. As you know I have been borrowing and using you ideas for a long time!

I am now teaching Gentle Yoga near Sarasota Ina country club with retired women and chair yoga at an assisted living. I am also seeing private clients and I love it!!!!! I Thx to your program I changed my career. I can never thank you enough!!!!

I have only positive things to say about Yoga Vista Academy’s Online Chair Yoga Teacher Training course! I found the course to be well organized and thoughtfully constructed down to the last detail. Sherry is very knowledgeable with the aging body and yoga, and energetically shares that knowledge in her writing and videos. She was so responsive, offering assistance and feedback throughout the entire process. Her positive energy and attitude shine through in this online course.

Thank you so much for the nice comments and thank you for sharing your knowledge of chair yoga, it is truly appreciated. Everything that I have learned from you has made me a more confident instructor and I will continue to research and learn more on your website. Thanks again for everything you do and for being my saving grace.

My classes here are so popular, too. I teach Chair Yoga 4 times a week in my small town of 20,000 people and I have up to 25 in a class!
With much gratitude for the amazing work you do.

I just loved how thorough the anatomy part was and also the videos included in the material. I’m a visual person and it was so cool to see an actual class and a description of a sequence or pose video-style. I love your team! James, Justine and others. Really such a great group of professionals. So well done. Both you and Justine were such a hoot to watch. Really showing your true selves and it made me feel like I was already part of the Yoga family without even having met you. Very welcoming presentations. Thank you for this amazing course!!

I have been so blessed to learn about Sherry Zak Morris and Vista Yoga Academy with the online curriculum for Chair Yoga certification! She is a phenomenal teacher and explains everything clearly and with joy and a great positive attitude, which is contagious!!! Also, the mentoring of Josee Madison has been such encouragement to grow, improve in my knowledge of the human body and how to help hurting people. Sherry’s online teaching program for Chair Yoga is complete, detailed and thorough! I have confidence, through her knowledge and detailed understanding of the body, to be able to help so many hurting people and give them Hope! Kudos to Josee and Sherry for all you do! Thank you for your patience in helping me do my best!

I wanted to reach out and thank you for putting together such an awesome, awesome training. It not only met but exceeded my expectations around the content that was within each section.

I had 28 people in my chair class Monday 🙂 I might have to cap it soon….Thank you Sherry, for creating such a valuable program, which enables us teachers to go out and help others XOXOXOX

I am currently enrolled in the Senior Chair Yoga Program and I am really liking it. The payment plan is so helpful and affordable.

Although I am only into the third chapter, I am finding the program quite user friendly. I was a bit apprehensive about taking an online class to begin with. Chair yoga is hands on stuff, how can this be done? I am completely confident in the completeness of the course and its contents, and I am ecstatic about the unlimited resources at my fingertips. The videos are great!! No actors here, just reality.

I also thought an online class would be lonely, but it’s not. Sherry is right there with me, as well as Norma or Lou and so many of the Seniors from the limitless videos. I get excited to see their progress and to know that what I do from this program makes a difference in people’s lives.

I drive a school bus during the week, having the opportunity to have a printed manual to take with me to study and practice from is essential. I can’t possibly remember everything, so to have the quick reference is handy too. I like how the program is laid out, and how it builds upon itself. It is very obvious how much time and research has gone into this program. I’m gobbling it up.

From being encourage to wear bright colors, have fun in teaching things like “picking fruit” or “how much money, honey” really gets ya going. I can’t wait to show you “Pirate Pose!” for balance. It makes my Seniors smile, giggle and confident. I even teach “Turkey Yoga”. I hope you are curious here.

Thank you for such an affordable, current and applicable program that is like having a personal trainer with me all of the time. I feel more and more confident each day because I am being equipped to provide my Senior students with the tools they need to be safe, active, and independent for as long as they can be, and to have fun along their journey.

I enjoyed the course material. Even though I took a long time to actually finish I started using the poses in my classes from the get-go. Every time I log into the course I find something fresh that I’d forgotten about. I loved the way you married the poses and conditions with the anatomy. My original YTT didn’t do that and it was a huge frustration. I do really love getting your little videos each week and have definitely lifted some of those vinyasas and used them.

Thanks so much for all the endless hours it must have taken to produce this course. I’m sure everyone one of us who have taken it has benefited tremendously from all your effort, experience and dedication.

Greetings from Germany. I am so happy with the Training Chair Yoga Dance. You are a great Teacher and it is so much Fun.

Thank you so much for putting together this wonderful program, which has brought so much to my chair yoga teaching.

As a dance instructor of over 20 years this was fun for me and new.

I have been asked to teach at a Nursing Care Home for the Elderly and was feeling very nervous about it. Your course, however has reassured me and I found lots of points useful. For example- starting the class by checking which joints are moving, instead of starting with a quiet meditation. I loved the video showing how you do the shoulder and neck massage. Its something that I do not normally do in my yoga class, but will now be added as I feel much more confident with it. I also like the idea of greeting every student prior to commencing the class. I loved the course!

Independent study using computer prepared manual, pictures, examples and videos gave me the feeling of being “in” a classroom. The quizzes helped me to know that I was on the right path. I was able to practice adaptations for Yoga in a chair and standing that I could recommend to students who were unable to manage asanas in the traditional Yoga way, or were not strong enough to manage Yoga on a mat. I found that during the time I was teaching these principles, the students were gaining confidence, strength, balance and flexibility at their own pace. The class gave me great respect for the effort the students were making and the increase of joy in their faces as time went on! It gives me a great feeling to assist seniors with the knowledge obtained from the class.

I am thrilled I took this program! Your On-Line Program was so informative and I have learned so much. The addition of upgrading this program to the “LIVE” option including a qualified/seasoned Yoga Teacher and Location to support, encourage, and educate me made this opportunity complete. Not being a 200 hour, I had my reservations on whether I would be able to complete this program with a successful Teachback. I know I could have not succeeded at the level I did with out the compassionate and honest feedback and support of my Mentor Teacher, Lynda! She watched me come into the program like a deer in headlights and with gentle but firm direction, she never gave me the feeling that I do no less than succeed if this is what I wanted.

After getting my Academy certification, I immediately started a chair yoga class at my studio that is always full. Full enough that I’ll be adding two more in September. One of my students gave me a card recently that said, ‘Thank you for caring enough to remember us older folks. Honey, you are a born teacher.’ I also teach private classes for a married couple, 87 and 88. The other day, after class, the wife looked at her husband as he stood from his chair and exclaimed, ‘Oh, Lynda, look at his posture! I don’t see an old man anymore. I see the dashing young man I fell in love with.’ So, was this training course worthwhile for enhancing my yoga teaching repertoire? For enhancing my LIFE? A million times over. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I enjoy greatly in my Chair Yoga online courses. It changed, in many aspects, the way I see my own aging and also my ideas about sharing yoga with seniors.

I just wanted to let you know how much I am enjoying this low back care training program. It has helped my husband tremendously. It has taken me years to get him to do yoga. My students are enjoying the information that I bring also.

It was an amazing course. I could not afford the Tari Prinsters class. Being in active treatment for the rest of my life also working at a cancer clinic the course was a natural path to take. I teach Yin ,chair ,and Hatha Yoga and have been using the asanas Mary and Heidi use. These are taught at the YMCA.Your Yoga vista has been incredible. Thank you for offering this prigram.

The course was so well organized and informative. I’m really glad that I decided to expand on that weekend workshop with you in Chicago and pursue the full certification.

I feel so blessed to have participated in this training and to have the opportunity to share it all with the senior’s in my community.
Thank you for your knowledge and inspiration Sherry, Justine, and everyone at Yoga Vista Academy.

Very much enjoying the course and have been teaching ‘Catch a Falling Star’ and ‘Forever Young’ to the children in the village school where I live. They love it and great opportunity for me to practice also.

Learned a whole lot, and really appreciate all the hard work you have done to get this all online to help other teachers such as myself!!

Thank you so much for your amazing feedback and suggestions!!! You have no idea how happy I am right now. Your positive and encouraging words give me the confidence to move forward with my teachback class. This course has exceeded my expectations. It is so informative and wonderful. I have learned so much. Thank you both, for the inspiration.

Wow! That’s fantastic. I’ve really enjoyed this fun and informative course. Especially found the age related symptoms info useful and how to work around these. Also, so many ideas for fun routines to do with seniors. I would love to be involved in anything you have going on.

“Yay for yoga!” And “Yay for Yoga Vista and you, Sherry, as well as Justine and everyone else who contributed to your chair teacher training program! I learned so much from this teacher training and I am so enjoying my chair yoga classes. They give me some of the best moments of my week. I love working with seniors!! We laugh and learn and practice yoga together – and most are learning about yoga for the first time in their lives. And your program has given me so much to share with them. I now have a good, solid foundation to rely on and so many wonderful and fun sequences and movements to use. I appreciated learning in detail about the anatomy of the body and the conditions that seniors can experience. I am planning to go back through these sections – they are so helpful. I have a much better understanding of how the human body works. I can’t thank you enough for this program and want to tell you it has opened up new avenues for me, as well as bringing many new friends into my life.

I am truly unable to fully express how much I appreciated your feedback on my sequences for Low Back Care. I did not want to write back to you until I read each one of your reviews more than several times while reviewing my videos. Watching my videos (which I will admit again was not easy for me) while reading your feedbacks was an invaluable learning experience as I continue this journey of teaching yoga. I am so appreciative of all of your detailed descriptions of the poses, suggestions and corrections. Justine, I know I will be a better teacher because of your guidance, knowledge and wisdom.

The chair yoga training course was informative, easy to follow and well organized. The continual updates are so helpful to give our students new information and keep our classes fresh and fun. Sherry has a special way of making movement joyful and challenging. Our 4 times with our mentors helped us share new ideas and experiences.

I have LOVED this course!!! And already have used much of what I’ve learned on myself and on my husband. Thank you so much for another terrific course!!!

While I got a lot out of the traditional online course, I kind of got hung up in the anatomy portion and the online mentoring program with Viki Boyko got me past that hurdle. The Teachback video was really hard for me to contemplate, and I’m not sure I would have gotten past that without Corey’s Live Mentoring class. Corey was fabulously supportive and also gave me a lot of ideas and a network of chair yoga instructors to work with.

Overall, the course taught me a lot – the fact that it took me a year and a half to finish might have had something to do with it! But, I do feel extraordinarily prepared to go out and teach!

This Program is a very valuable and much needed program, I recommend it for anyone passionate about teaching to an inclusive market. It definitely would be beneficial to instructors wishing to offer yoga services a demographic that is misunderstood, under valued and under served.

I am offering a Chair Yoga for Vets on Veterans Day and am confident with my ability and looking forward to the challenge. Thank you for everything!

I just wanted to say thank you for recommending that I look into the online Intro to James Knight’s Gentle Somatic Yoga that you offer. I have been using all of James Knight’s GSF’s daily off his YouTube channel as the major source of physiological therapy for my SMA and injuries. All have been a key of my success and healing, as well as an integral part of my daily routine or lifestyle. I am very eager to start the remainder of the 100-120 hour online GSY. Just as with your online Chair Yoga program, I know it will be almost like being there, on the mat or chair, learning. Thank you for the detail that goes into providing such excellent, excellent teaching and for the invaluable resource of information through your handouts and outstanding videos (So many videos!!!). I can hardly wait.

I am so happy to be a member of the Yoga Vista Academy graduates. You both are doing amazing work in teaching and inspiring people to teach yoga to seniors. I have recommended your training to many people.

The online format you use is simple to navigate, and easy to follow. There is so much wonderful information to glean from the videos and in the written portion. When I first began teaching chair yoga, I would make up routines to work the 8 bearing joints, some of which I still use today. Then I discovered your Youtube Yoga Vista videos and became so inspired by your passion I just knew I had found mine too. Sherry I feel like you are my yoga sister!

The handouts, example flyers, the pacing of the material, the coaching sessions, the one on one interactions, the videos accompanying the specific modules were great! Then the practice video and the interaction with the course creator, plus the online coach and interaction with other course participants – was a great way to learn Gentle Yoga for Low Back Care. I plan to take more training with the folks at Yoga Vista Academy!

I completed the Chair Yoga course several months ago, and it has been such a blessing. I am now teaching Chair Yoga twice a week at our local Regional Wellness Center, and twice a month at the Good Samaritan Nursing Home, and I continually refer to the course materials for insight and inspiration. Communication and support throughout the training and beyond has been great, and I highly recommend Yoga Vista Academy and its course offerings.

I learned so much from your videos, style, instruction and care! Thank you both from the bottom of my heart!

I have completed the studying and testing of the low back course now preparing to video sequences and send them in. I am excited to say that I was asked to teach a gentle yoga class with an emphasis on low back care to physical therapists and have now been asked to teach a class at their facility for their clients. This physical therapy facility is who I treated with following my accident (it will be 3 years in April). I am so grateful for their treatment and care and the opportunity provided by Yoga Vista to study online to receive my Chair Yoga, Gentle Yoga and now Low Back Care Certification. What a Journey it has been! Thank you Sherry and Justine.

Thank you so much again for your wonderful Chair Yoga course!! I especially enjoyed the great review on Anatomy. I greatly appreciate that your resources will be my wonderful library of information to refer to when needed. The online setup worked great for me too. I also gave my feedback via Yoga Alliance.

I’m a wheelchair user myself, my youngest sister has ms and my dad is 74 years old so I can teach him and my sister, comfortable Yoga Vista Academy yoga moves for sure!! So grateful and humbled for the knowledge I learned, Sherry. Soo excited to locate a yoga studio location, rehabilitation center, or assisted living location where I can work at after I finish the program!

I am so delighted to have finally completed the advanced chair yoga teacher training. I really appreciate the time and effort you have put in to helping me getting over the line and complete the course. You are so correct with the information you sent back on the feedback. I definitely need to work on, and thanks for such a detailed report on my final teachback.

Thank you Justine for your encouraging words! You and Sherry, together, are gifts to all of us who have completed the certification program. You are truly gifts that keep on giving! The knowledge you have provided for us is so deeply appreciated. Not only knowledge, but wisdom that you both are so generous in sharing with us. I truly love and admire both of you. Cannot thank you enough.

Sherry’s course enabled me to break down what I’m doing in a chair dance and teach the components with less improvising and even more fun. Identifying the movements as steady, progressive, free flowing, etc. has also helped me to choreograph more thoughtfully. The dances are easy to learn and provide a foundation for creating my own in a way that is most enjoyable and beneficial to my students. Sherry has painstakingly and lovingly included and attended to every detail. What a joy!

Sherry is the queen of chair yoga dance and has included songs for every season! During the winter the jingle bells song was such at hit at several of the places I teach. All of the dances can be done seated or easily modified to standing and make you smile. Thank you so much Sherry!

The way Viki helped us think of putting things together was really helpful. She is extremely knowledgeable! And it helps to have someone to connect with in a group and to be held accountable to to finish.

The course is wonderful, the mix of videos and reading is a great way to study no matter what learning style someone prefers. I loved this course and ever since I’ve started, I’ve been telling my yogi friends about your studio, certifications, classes, and workshops.

I currently teach 3 chair yoga classes, and my students have commented on how much they like the new format! I have been shamelessly stealing your dances off the videos and have created a 2 of my own (honestly, just rearranging your movements, mostly). The dances are my seniors’ favorite part of the class.

Thank you for doing what you do and inspiring me to be a better Yoga teacher.

I’m so glad I took Gentle Yoga for Low Back with Justine. She is an amazing instructor and human being who genuinely cares about her students. The concepts and principles I learned from Justine changed the way I teach, and I believe all of my students are safer for it. Probably the best yoga instructor I have ever worked with. #genuine #safetyfirst #awesomeinstructor

This is my fourth week teaching my chair yoga classes. I am doing three a week and everyone is loving it. We did the dance to ‘What a Wonderful World’ this week. THANK YOU. Sherry, I am HAVING SO MUCH FUN AND CANNOT THANK YOU ENOUGH. I hope I get to hug you one day in person. You are a blessing to me and so many others!!!!

The Chair Yoga training was beneficial in so many ways: self-paced, practical anatomy lessons, accessible format.

I’m so excited!! I love, love, loved the in-person training. All participants were positive and energizing. Lynda is amazing; she shared so much valuable insight from her experience. I’m getting so much out of the manual and online training, but I personally would probably never complete it without the energizing and sharing quality of the live training segment. The live segment also gives me reasonable deadlines.

This was a fantastic program. The online piece was very informative. The resources are of tremendous value, and can be used for reference over and over again.

I completed my 200 hour Yoga Alliance Training in 2009. Since then I completed trainings at Duke for Integrated Yoga for Seniors and with Yoga Vista Academy for both Chair and Gentle Yoga. The Low Back Care training has taken me to a whole different level of knowledge and teaching skills providing me with a solid understanding of low back conditions, the poses that empower and help my students improve their back conditions, the associated risks, as well as an ability to use that knowledge and teaching skills for creating a safe and effective yoga practice for my students.

I am happy to say that because of your course I am able to teach people with confidence at nursing homes, offices, yoga studios and memory care facilities.

I plan on celebrating my completion and certification (your honest and comprehensive feedback is amazing). Really I had an absolute ball last year with this course. Learning the dances, practicing them with my students has completely changed how I approach my chair yoga classes. I always include two yoga dances, and the end of the month culminates in an entire hour of yoga dances. The majority of my students, don’t miss a week and I am finding a significant retention of my students. I know it is due in part, to including yoga dance. But watching your delivery, and learning all the factoids and other bits you add to a class, including naming the postures, has helped to develop my teaching skills. I am a very good teacher because of what I’ve learned from you.

I really enjoyed going through the course at my own pace and found that I learned and re learned many things—using your manual. I totally appreciate all that you share and promote. I continually add and learn things from the newsletter and reviewing the manual. The quizzes were helpful.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this course and learnt so much. Information that I can use for my Chair Yoga Classes but also for my regular yoga practices as well. Everything was explained so simply and was easy to understand, its also great that I can keep going back over information and re watch the videos when I need to. I would not hesitate in recommending this course to anyone who is looking to teach chair yoga or yoga for seniors.

Thank you for this great opportunity to learn through your Chair Yoga Course! I am enjoying it very much and applying so many of the techniques and tips to my regular yoga classes.

The first course I completed in the area of working with Seniors was through University of Limerick which gave me a good base and foundation but having completed both Chair and Gentle Courses along with online material , youtube clips, dvd sets, and so much more information from the video libraries it has given me the opportunity to continue exercising and pass on a wide range of knowledge and advice to my students in 17 weekly classes I have on a weekly basis, so huge thanks and blessing Sherry for continuing to pass on your invaluable knowledge and skills.

My gentle class has doubled in size, I had 29 last week!

I have absolutely LOVED your training and knowledge and have learned so much!! I could not have made this change in my work life without you!!! I have brought the two things I love and are passionate about together – Seniors and Yoga!! (I am a former Activity Professional and Activity Director)

I want you to know how much I enjoyed completing the Chair Yoga Certification course. I learned so much more anatomy than in any of my other Yoga trainings. I loved how the course tied together the anatomy portion with injuries and conditions, and then illustrated specific poses to be used for various conditions affecting seniors.

I incorporate Yoga Dance into every senior’s chair yoga classes. Once a month I offer an all yoga dance hour. I have witnessed significant increases in student numbers. I am sure this is because it introduces a physical activity to seniors that is fun, socially engaging and imaginative. Seniors love to dance and the feedback is always positive.

Yesterday, six women aged 50 – 75 (some of whom had never done yoga) joined me at a local yoga studio as models for my photo shoot. A highlight of the session was learning Chair Yoga Dance. I taught them your version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow and one of my dances, (put together at the requested of an 80+ retired Army Colonel) – Rock Around the Clock.

The group had so much fun yesterday afternoon. None of them had ever tried Chair Yoga, let alone Chair Yoga Dance! I was more relaxed and joyful than I’ve ever been for any photo session. So, thank you for restoring my love of yoga and helping me find a joyful “retirement” career which is more rewarding than I could ever imagine.

I thoroughly enjoyed the Gentle Yoga training – especially the focus on conditions and ailments that students may bring, and the poses that may help them feel better. I feel like I am a much better teacher after taking the Yoga Vista Academy training…and that was after already having 500 hours of teacher training! I also appreciate that I have “life long” access to the training materials and videos – I find myself referring back to videos and other information as I prepare my classes for the week. I am also grateful for the in-depth responses to questions I have posed – the answers are friendly, informative, and so helpful.

I taught my first class today, (even though I’m still working in the “Shoulder” chapter!) I had 11, which for this town, is a miracle, and I expect it to increase next week. I got a standing ovation when we were finished and endless kudos. I owe all my success to your course, your teachers, and your large cache of videos on YouTube. I can’t say enough THANK YOU’s!!!!! I’m on fire again – thanks to everyone at Yoga Vista Academy!!!

It’s been an incredible journey. Loved the way new information formatted. Great videos, meeting new teachers, becoming friends ,exploring new ways to help seniors live better. Sherry and Justine made the course easy and fun while learning. Looking forward to my last get together in 10 days.

Super glad and grateful for the opportunity to test pilot this fabulous comprehensive training from Yoga Vista Academy. Such a well thought out course and a great collaboration of teachers who are wheelchair users together with the ever generous Sherry Zak Morris. Thank you for such a wonderful and unique opportunity to offer something so special to the community. What a gift. Blessings to you all.

Thank you so much for all your help. I feel like you have been there beside me! Your course is very thorough and I feel empowered to keep learning and also to get creative with poses. Thanks for your ongoing support.

I have really enjoyed and learned great information especially on anatomy taking your Chair Yoga certification. Thank you so much for providing such a wonderful experience!

Someone asked me recently if I thought my Chair Yoga training through Yoga Vista Academy was worth the price. Let me explain it this way: I always wanted to teach yoga for seniors (and disabled veterans) but I was always afraid to even approach it, afraid of accidentally hurting a senior, afraid of senior anatomy and health issues…until I saw some of Sherry’s videos and thought, ‘THAT is the kind of senior yoga class I want to teach.’ I developed a level of confidence with designing classes and teaching seniors that I truly hadn’t expected.

Thanks for these very helpful tips. Thanks also for your nice comments. I really appreciate how much thought you have put into my teach back.

I followed along with the lyrics, noting the beats per segment. Creating movements for each section seemed logical and fun and I could visualize some alternate patterns that I might want to use with my students. I was doing the dance along with the videos and was surprised by how energetic it felt even though the movements are so simple and slow. I like the format.

Taking this class has given me a lot more confidence in my teaching. One other reason I took your course was to learn more about how to take care of myself. I am 63 (closer to 64) and have S-curve scoliosis that often gives me pain at L4-L5. Of course there are arthritic changes, too, and thinning discs. I thought it was great that your course offered a holistic approach and discussed anti-inflammatory supplements and topicals. Thank you again for everything. I really learned a lot, and I feel like I gained a friend.

I began this incredible journey of Chair Yoga Teacher Training 12 months ago with the goal of finishing by June. In April, when my accident occurred, I was not sure I would teach again and/or finish the training. As my recovery progressed, it became very clear to me that continuing with the training would not only benefit me with my healing but enable me to readily understand and relate to the many challenges specific to the senior population. The training was and continues to be invaluable to me personally and professionally and I thank you for the expertise provided in the training, the continued resources of newsletters and videos and your ongoing support.

I’ve learned so much from Sherry and her Chair Yoga Certification course. After teaching chair yoga for a number of years, I felt a little stale and in need of a fresh approach, to bring to my students and a brush up on my anatomy knowledge. The course gave me that and more. It is full of detailed pictures, videos, poses and instruction, and is easy to follow along. I liked the fact that I could work at my own pace around a rather hectic schedule.

I feel blessed each and every day that I stumbled across your online Yoga Vista Academy Chair Yoga Course. Sherry you were so gracious in accommodating me and enabling me to do your course. I haven’t forgotten!!

Having left school at barely 15 years, my only subjects then we’re Reading, Writing and Arithmetic. Since doing your course I’ve studied anatomy. But not just Anatomy! Your Chair Yoga course gave me the fullest respect for my own body and a deep understanding of how we can offset and relieve the myriad of health issues that can be helped by practising a Chair Yoga Class. This knowledge learned is extraordinary for me. I found it challenging at times, but with the support and constant feedback from Sherry and all at Yoga Vista Academy, I never felt that it was not achievable!

Finishing this online course and receiving my certification to teach Chair Yoga, I feel absolutely confident in my understanding of what is the safe practice required of me to pass on to my Seniors or anyone with limited Mobility. I recommend this online Yoga Vista Academy course highly.

I left school at 15 years of age, never having touched on anatomy at all. So I found this to be challenging but thanks to this course I feel grateful to be so enlightened about The body and my own body also!

I am confident that I could give a class, I already do.
I use a wheelchair myself (not 100%, these days i can walk a bit again, i have ms) and that is why i know a bit more about how to use the wheelchair in poses and how it is if you can’t move and how to adapt. I used to cycle in the hand-biket-eam and there I got to know teammates with different types of paralysis and mates without legs etc.  Knowing disabled people and being disabled yourself makes you not afraid to give lessons to disabled persons, I think that is half the work. Every lesson you learn more and more about the different ways to move and how you can adjust everything, which I love.
But i missed the more science know how … something your lessons gave me.

This chair yoga training was my first real experience receiving good knowledge and training. I loved it so very much!!! Sincerely thanks for doing what you do, and I’m just so blessed that I found you. A big fan.

I love the fact you are teaching us your methodology to teach our own dances. (this is what I signed up for)

I found this course to be well designed/formatted and very comprehensive.
It flowed nicely from one area of the body to the next.
The Anatomy section was very detailed, and loved learning about the mechanical aspects of the human body.
The Conditions sections associated with the different areas of the body answered a lot of questions I already had about working safely with a wide variety of ailments that seniors may be experiencing.
The Poses section was filled with great step by step information, which gave me confidence, ensuring I was delivering the information to the class appropriately.
The videos were a fun and inspirational part of the class, seeing various members of the Yoga Vista Community sharing their knowledge.

I teach people Parkinson’s disease and dementia. Your certification was a turning point for me. It has changed my life. So grateful for you!

I am so grateful to you for all your support. Coming from a career in education I know that your course presentation and organization was a perfect way to learn all that material. I most appreciate access to the video library and use it often. I am now teaching chair in an assisted living community and a gentle class at a studio…..One more thing……..You were SO RIGHT about the nursing home population. Everything you said was true-EVERYTHING.

I really, really appreciate your comments on “Area of Improvement”. As yoga instructors, we rarely get constructive criticism but I feel it is so important to improve our abilities so we can better serve our students and community. I will definitely use your cueing suggestions.

I truly appreciate all the teachings from Yoga Vista. You got me hooked on anatomy, chair yoga, vini yoga and soon…somatic yoga. They all compliment each other so well and allow us teachers to quickly adjust a class (getting away from teaching with a script…one-size-fits-all).

Personally, I thought the program was GREAT, WONDERFUL and AWESOME. I teach a variety of classes and I have used all I have learned in every single class. Whether it is with my Assisted Living clients or my 30 year olds. The anatomy portion was more than I could have expected. I learned so much. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

The course was so helpful and appropriate for teaching seniors yoga. I felt very supported and have enjoyed my teaching so much more. The library of asanas, I’m sure is every yoga teachers dream. I understand the aging body so much better. Helping to understand the asanas and why we do them. I also feel that the people who attend my classes are benefiting from that knowledge.

I have so appreciated this course and your approach to teaching teachers to be competent, caring and joyful in their work. I must say, I talk about you and this program all the time. I had a wonderful experience in my original 200hr training because of its somatics orientation. It blended perfectly with your approach. I wish all programs honored the wisdom and brilliance of our bodies in this way.

I recently took Justine’s Low Back Teacher Certification Program. I have been teaching yoga since 1974. I started my career as a physio therapist and I am also a Qigong Instructor. I’m giving some background information on myself so you know Justine, how deeply and sincerely I mean this compliment. In my humble opinion, every yoga teacher should take this course. I have been studying in one form or another most of my life, but this class was a great blessing for me. Your teaching method and your knowledge of the subject matter, not to mention your sense of humour made this course a joy to participate in but more than that, taught me a great deal. I feel that I will be a better teacher for it. What a blessing it was to find you!

Justine has a down-to-Earth approach to passing her wisdom on to others. Her language is simple and direct and her humor frequently erupts, making learning less a chore and more something to look forward to. The use of videos enhances the class, especially because the videos, for the most part, are those of Justine’s presentation to a class of students. Something that I appreciated was her use of a skeletal model of the spine and of the pelvis. I have incorporated much of what I have learned from Justine into my own yoga classes, taught primarily to older adults. I am a more knowledgeable and a more insightful teacher as a result. I highly recommend this course for yoga teachers who want to vastly expand their knowledge of proper low back care when teaching a yoga class.

Excellent teacher training for all Yoga Instructors that want more knowledge for incorporating students wheelchair users or offering a specialized class.

The Chair Yoga Certification course was totally amazing in the content offered and the way in which it was presented. I really love how you have the main portion of the program to complete, but there is also so much additional information to continue to study long after completion of the program. The anatomy section to me, was not at all “too much” because this is vital information for a yoga teacher. I also loved how you feature some of your teachers/mentors and their work, i.e. Somatic approaches with Erhard R. and James Knight. Justine’s videos were super helpful too. The program just covers so many areas but does not bog down in anything.

My experience with the Corporate Yoga program was incredible! I’ll admit that there was some apprehension when I was deciding to do it as it is 100% online — needless to say, this was my first time getting my feet wet with the world of online Yoga courses. After completing the program, let me tell you just how extremely pleased I am today with having made the right decision 🙂 Sherry and the Yoga Vista team will leave you feeling more confident, knowledgeable and prepared to teach in the corporate setting. Upon completing my initial program to become a certified Yoga teacher, I felt that I could have learned a LOT more about anatomy and didn’t quite know the best approach to working with students who have a limited range of motion/flexibility. Glad to report that I now look forward to having a diverse population of students to work with and KNOW that I can be there to properly help them in their Yoga journey.

The live mentoring component was invaluable. Viki is a highly skilled and effective instructor. She is extremely competent, and has a way about her that makes learning easy and fun. I found that her personal interaction with us was key to engagement in the program. In addition, Viki went above and beyond. She was extremely welcoming and supportive. She established relationships with the individuals in the class. She reached out to us with information, reminders, and follow ups. What was perhaps the most helpful, was Viki’s willingness to have us observe and participate in her chair yoga classes. Observing her teach provided an entirely different learning experience. For me, that was the most valuable learning lesson of them all.

I enjoyed the course very much and learned a lot. My students have enjoyed all the new material I have been able to introduce.

Yoga Vista’s educational courses have allowed me to speak from a place of knowledge to my own students. I truly believe that once someone understands the “why” the effort becomes greater. Sherry and her team are a wealth of knowledge and even better, are happily willing to share it. I’ve learned and continue to learn so much!

I now have bi-weekly 30 min yoga session with an 87 year old sweetheart, named Lily, in her home. Thanks to Sherry’s business marketing tools which HAVE BEEN EXTREMELY helpful! Your comment about “not selling yourself short” is SO true!! I wasn’t sure what to provide for a rate when asked and used your reference guide. However, I was nervous I was asking too much! And guess what – It was accepted!

As always your programs and information are filled with great information and ideas. You wanted to know my feedback on how this differed from the Chair Program. It was more concentrated on the specifics of what is happening to desk workers and really anyone who sits at their job where posture and ergonomics are important. The anatomy information in the Chair Program was great and I felt that the anatomy information in the Corporate Yoga Program was then a good addition with specifics to the desk worker vs general chair yoga. It helped me know how to explain and teach more effectively to desk workers with the additional information I learned in the Corporate Yoga Program. The 2 Programs are great together in building my knowledge to offer yoga to more populations in need of yoga.

I´ve watched your program it´s amazing like your videos….I´ve been using what I´ve learned in your videos, and that´s was really great, all my students said wowwwww wonderful, because nobody here in Panamá teaches like this!

I though the Program was Amazing. All the advice and learning compliment the materials. The videos are a great resource for class ideas.

I just wanted to let you know that I am almost done your chair yoga class and I am loving it soooo much!!! You are an amazing teacher and so knowledgeable. I am a nurse and you know way more than I do!!!!! I just quit a horrible nursing job in which I was sitting all day and stressed out and trying to make a career change. I want to thank you so much for the information and the way it is presented. It is so easy to follow. Your enthusiasm is contagious!! I am thinking about doing the gentle yoga also. Thanks again, I think that you are just wonderful. I wish you were closer to me!!!

I really enjoyed being apart of your program for Chair Yoga. I feel that I learned a lot of skills that will help me be a better teacher. I love how each module was presented. I would not hesitate to recommend the Academy to my yoga teacher friends. You have a wonderful venue! I savored every module I took and I am incorporating them in every class I teach. I have learned so much and still am when I watch YouTube.

I can’t say how much I have enjoyed this training and how grateful I am for the impact it has had on my teaching. I look forward to my teach back with Jane and my fellow yogis this Sunday. I hope my assignment brings a smile to your face, your imprint and enthusiasm enabled me to have fun as I created real world options for all of us that go to the market and slump our way up and down the aisles. No more, the cart is an effective prop now. Chair yoga is totally portable!

Thank you for the opportunity to learn and grow! I feel like I have improved my knowledge base and confidence. After completing this course, my confidence level is a 10. My Teachback is completed with lots a material to work with in the course. If you are teaching a combo class with wheelchair users then it will be helpful to take both the Chair Yoga and Wheelchair Yoga Training Programs.

Having my Master’s Degree in Education, I am very particular about online training programs and I have to say that the Yoga Vista Academy Chair Certification program was exceptionally well-designed and informative. In addition, getting constant encouragement and support made the training very personalized. Thanks for a great job Yoga Vista Academy!

The course has really helped me to gain confidence in teaching seated yoga, by basing it so strongly in the context of the physiology of ageing. The depth of information about anatomy, injuries, philosophies and yoga modifications to work alongside everyone’s particular body issues, is really exceptional. I’ve found it so helpful and I know that it will continue to provide endless stimulation and ideas.

THANK YOU so much for your excellent program. It has been a life changer for me and many of my students. I hope to continue growing and helping those in this community.

As you will see I have commenced my online Chair Yoga Certification and I am loving every second of it. I have completed the first module an have navigated my way through beautifully with your lesson plans and comprehensive information and videos and can I just say what an amazing journey it has been so far. I work in the Disability sector primarily mental Health and I have been sharing my newfound Knowledge with the Residents who have all embraced Chair Yoga. Management are already making plans for me to incorporate chair yoga into the day program for Residents once I am Certified and I can’t wait.

The Yoga Vista Academy means many things to me and has completely transformed my yoga teaching skills. Although some aspects of yoga are too subtle to be learned from books or lectures, I had absolutely no trouble developing a deeper understanding through all the videos and tools online with a variety of methods for attaining goals. The Yoga Vista Academy accommodates a wide range of lifestyles and values. The Yoga Vista Academy has changed my skills for the better and continues to transform them every day. I highly recommend this program!

My favourite thing about the program (2 actually) was being able to download the handouts in order to compile the manual, and the videos – just loved them. So clear and concise and explained many things for me. I found the course extremely user-friendly.

I live in Ireland and have over 350 students. I don’t have a gym of my own so I travel throughout the County on a daily basis to rural areas with low levels of population to Community Halls where Students come once a weekly and get their exercise in with an age profile of 6o – 92. I really mean this Sherry you have played a huge part in helping me get this going with the vast knowledge, great ideas and variety gained from your online tutorials, Dvd”s and courses completed with you.

I could never have completed this course in an in-person class situation. Both my husband and I are lucky enough to have our 90+ year old mothers alive and living on their own. Most of our weekends get spent with one or the other; they are a fabulous focus group on what works and what doesn’t for some of my classes! They love all I’ve learned as much as I do.

I taught at my first nursing home, and it was very challenging! They could only do a fraction of the movements. I found myself with a one-hour class and 15 minutes worth of material. Made it through okay, but realized I have a lot to learn 🙂 you have a really great program, and I’m continuing to watch your YouTube videos for more info. Thank you for your Compassionate Heart!

You have provided knowledge on various reasons for wheelchair users, numerous sequencing examples, fun moves and great advice. I was introduced to the “sticks” with Nina. I printed the materials so I have my manual and notes to review when needed. I have played the videos over and over and love that I’ll have them forever! I appreciated the diversity in the styles of all the instructors in this course. Each instructor is so different. I love that!

Awesome on line course! Sherry has been so helpful – Great Hands on Guidance! I never expected Sherry to actually call me and walk me through the steps to get my Mac set up for the course! I truly felt welcomed and on my way to success! The video’s and written materials are spot on! Great resources to go back to again and again! I am grateful that my Yoga Journey has taken me down the Chair Yoga path. Thank you to everyone at Yoga Vista Academy. Keep up the great work! Namaste!

Many thanks to Justine, your students and yourself for the continued support that I received throughout the learning process. It is easy to become overwhelmed with all that there is to know, but you kept the information so well organized and consistent throughout the process. It was also easy to see the relationship between the chair yoga and gentle yoga materials which helped to make the dual-certification process even more rewarding for my students and myself. I highly recommend both for anyone who may be on the fence.

Oh my gosh! What didn’t I learn! I think that twenty hours was more in depth than basic teacher training 🙂 For me, I have a pretty extensive background in Anatomy and Physiology. What I really learned were the variety of postures “to do” and “not to do”. I thought going in that it would be just modifications on traditional but there are so many other important adjustments.

The other thing I learned was to really not be afraid to work with seniors. I love them and have always had a desire to work with them at a deeper level than I have in the past (pharmaceuticals) but I was nervous in not wanting to hurt them so your course helped me so much. You are seriously awesome and so are all of the other teachers you had do the videos and I loved the fun little sayings that popped up thru the videos too 🙂

I have a 90 minute class on Saturdays for Midlifers with asana adapted to individual needs. I have incorporated my chair yoga knowledge in my class as 2 of my students have mobility issues and have trouble getting onto the mat. What a blessing to know how to adapt the postures to the chair. Thank you so much for this certification class Sherry. It is really coming in handy teaching the 40+ age demographic.

I truly enjoyed doing my Chair Yoga Certification Online Program with the Yoga Vista Academy. The content and the professional manner in which it is presented was excellent. I learnt more in the past months than I ever did from my past 3 year Yoga training here in Australia, and feel I have achieved more, especially with anatomy. Being able to view the many and varied videos was great for me and Sherry’s support throughout the course was always there. A great motivator. I can highly recommend the Course to anyone who is considering undertaking it.

Last November I begun the Dual Certificate in Chair Yoga and Gentle Senior Yoga. With work, family and Christmas I had to put it to one side until January and all the materials I had read I decided to start again to refresh everything as I was near the end of the anatomy section and really wanted to absorb it all. I would like to take this opportunity to say how much I am LOVING this course the delivery and presentation of it all you really have ticked all the boxes. With your videos I feel I know you more as your personality shines out in each clip. The amount of work you have put into your courses is phenomenal, but you have made it so accessible for a student to learn and you set us up for success. You are my inspiration and hero and I just wanted to say special thank you for this gift of knowledge. I have lots more to finish on the course, and like my favourite lunch I’m savouring every bite.

I can’t thank you enough for the joy and creative ideas you bring me. All the very best to you, I wish health to you and your family, and appreciation to all of the wonderful and innovative yoga teachers who contribute to Yoga Vista.

The program was excellent. I can see that it was designed to ensure successful learning. The video and PDF instruction worked well. Your support was beyond expectation and both you and Justine are fantastic at supporting the instruction responding to questions fully and completely, and providing additional information to support instruction to specific mobility or chronic conditions of current students. I really appreciate that a lot and I believe this is something that adds tremendous value to the learning experience. As a relatively new yoga instructor I feel I am learning so much and there is always so much that I feel I don’t know….having your consistent and fully supporting me with quick and thoroughly thought through responses is so helpful.

This was a very valuable course and one I can keep referring to. It was an excellent experience working with Peggy, Nelda, Lauren, Kristi, and Moon. I learned something from everyone.

After my training in Wheelchair Yoga, Chair Yoga & Gentle Yoga, I have now completed the Corporate Yoga Program (yogavista is addicting 😉).
It was wonderful again how Sherry passed on her knowledge! Together with the chair yoga program, the content for corporate yoga was expanded.
All the information from the various training courses complement each other so wonderfully! I am very sure that I can now also offer corporate yoga classes.
Thank you so much Sherry!!

I am happy to provide feedback on this great program. You are an innovator in this field.

I am completely loving the training. I’m so grateful I found you and Yoga Vista! I’m currently volunteering- teaching seniors chair yoga at our senior center in my town. I have my 200 our RYT and I am completely loving the journey into Chair yoga. Hope to get certified and to keep growing and learning.

I do so enjoy the people that I share yoga with. We have a marvelous time. And I use your videos to learn and share even more. Thank you so much I feel so blessed to have been a part of your program.

Thank you for putting all of this great information together in one place. I just finished the hip anatomy section. I wanted to tell you that it is one of the best, most concise explanations of the hip joint I’ve seen.

The layout of the course work is very cohesive. Completing the course has greatly enhanced my teaching skills and helped me to become more confident in my abilities as a Yoga teacher not only to seniors, but other populations as well. Thank you so much for the effort you have put into creating this course. I will be a devoted follower of Yoga Vista Academy in the future!

Teaching “on the fly” happens all the time. Yesterday I taught my weekly Yin Yoga class. When I entered the room I had my normal group of students as well as two new students seated in chairs – (Enter YVA Chair Yoga and Yoga for Seniors training). I modified Yin Asana’s for the chair for these students. In addition, I had students with lower back-pain (Enter YVA Yoga for Low-Back Pain) and used certain movements for them. But wait – there’s more! I had a student that is 8 months pregnant (Enter YVA Pregnancy Yoga – STOP – there isn’t one!!), so I modified low-back and gentle yoga for this student. Total student population for this session – 27. One never knows what comes to them and we use the skills that we have learned over the years. THANKS Sherry Zak Morris and Justine Shelton for your teachings and instilling the confidence in us to address each class with a deep breath and confidence. You two R-O-C-K!

I have loved the training and look forward to feedback from both you and Jane. Someday I hope to get out your way and would love to take a class with you. I am tickled to share with you that since retiring I am now teaching 4 classes a week! I teach chair at State of Mind Yoga on Fridays, I also teach basics there on Monday nights, and a basic class at a very posh retirement center, where they are eager to bring chair yoga back. On Saturdays, I teach a basic at the park district in a nearby town. I could not be happier and owe so much of my success to you and Jane and all my other teachers along the way and to come.

I started a chair yoga class three weeks ago and it is going very well. We had a reporter from our local paper come to class on Friday, it will be written up in our local paper. We are averaging around 21 lovely seniors ! Our reporter friend, 24 years young, did chair yoga with the class!

“Excellent presenter, very knowledgeable. First time I have actually learned in-depth about the meaning behind the poses.”

“Amazing! The very first class I’ve ever heard of on myth and asana. Inspired to create a class using this.”

“WOW! The asanas will never be the same. So much to share and absorb. Beautiful!”

“So interesting! A great summery of some of the stories and their relationship to the poses. I can share this historical information with my students.”

“Very knowledgeable. This was my first introduction to the “story” of the myths. Beautifully done!”

Omg both certifications have been the best investments that I have made in a long night time. You are amazing yoga treasures.

I can’t recommend this course enough for people who are working with the aging population. It is a must! Their expertise in the aging population and their slides and explanation and demos as well as experiencing for ourselves, helped bring the understanding to a maximum potential.

I LEARNED SO MUCH from this course! Justine beautifully presents high quality information here that is particularly special because it is infused with her own personal experiences with herself as well as her clients. I am truly inspired and cannot wait to get out there and work with and help people with back pain. I have chronic back pain as well so that was my first motivation for taking the course; to use it for myself. It has made me so much more aware and present in my own body and has definitely helped strengthen my core. Often after a course I might still feel not very confident with the material to start using it, but the homework assignments and teachback final really make sure you are ready with at least a good amount of the material. I am sure I will refer back to it over the years and will always find something new and useful. Thank you Justine, for sharing your knowledge, your humor, and your heart!

I thought it was fantastic. Thank you so much for making learning fun. I love the new jingle bell dance and I’m looking forward to to trying it out in my Friday assisted living class. I think they will be able to handle it and really enjoy it.

I have never found anatomy to be exciting, and didn’t receive a lot of anatomy in my 200-hour yoga teacher training. Learning anatomy on my own was both overwhelming and intimidating. When I was researching this course I saw something that said I didn’t didn’t need to be an anatomy expert to take the course. WOW.That was a relief so I went for it. I had a college professor say many times “How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” That is the way this course is put together. The anatomy is broken down into sections, so it isn’t intimidating at all if anatomy isn’t your thing. I’m a long way away from being an “anatomy geek” but it no longer intimidates me. Additionally, Justine’s yoga therapy teaching provided new insights to me that really enhanced my understanding of many concepts along the way.

Things continue to go well. My chair yoga classes are very popular. One student commented that she could tell a big difference as she had not attended in a while and just started back about six months ago and its a nice comment coming from her since she is a retired educator!

“Yay for yoga!” And “Yay for Yoga Vista and you, Sherry, as well as Justine and everyone else who contributed to your chair teacher training program! I learned so much from this teacher training and I am so enjoying my chair yoga classes. They give me some of the best moments of my week. I love working with seniors!! We laugh and learn and practice yoga together – and most are learning about yoga for the first time in their lives. And your program has given me so much to share with them. I now have a good, solid foundation to rely on and so many wonderful and fun sequences and movements to use. I appreciated learning in detail about the anatomy of the body and the conditions that seniors can experience. I am planning to go back through these sections – they are so helpful. I have a much better understanding of how the human body works. I can’t thank you enough for this program and want to tell you it has opened up new avenues for me, as well as bringing many new friends into my life.

I truly enjoyed doing my Chair Yoga Certification Online Program with the Yoga Vista Academy. The content and the professional manner in which it is presented was excellent. I learnt more in the past months than I ever did from my past 3 year Yoga training here in Australia, and feel I have achieved more, especially with anatomy. Being able to view the many and varied videos was great for me and Sherry’s support throughout the course was always there. A great motivator. I can highly recommend the Course to anyone who is considering undertaking it.

I am learning so much from it, and am enjoying it a lot. I’m finding the “Conditions and Injuries” sections invaluable, because it has finally put a real “everyday” human slant on anatomy study!

Thought I’d check in after completing the “Teaching Yoga @ Senior Care,” course. I loved that you shared the meaning of “inspiration,” as being “in spirit.” Light bulb aha for me. You have a tremendous capacity for love and healing. Thank you for igniting my flame and making it shine a little brighter!

I thoroughly enjoyed this project. I have been observing postures & various physical conditions since I received my RYT certification 7 years ago, but this course has taken me to the next level of observations, ie. I better understand the ripple effect to the ENTIRE body when a “load bearing” joint is out of alignment.

I am only halfway through Dr. Bell and am AMAZED!!! This information is invaluable not only for our yoga classes but anyone that is alive.
Thank you for making the workshop online so available. I am anxious to share some of the findings with one person in particular in my class. This may be life changing for her.

Just a note of thanks for a wonderful training experience! Integrity is the word that comes to mind when I think of the educational program you, Justine and all the other fine educators provide in this program. Your feedback was sincere and very direct and I really took it to heart in a positive way. It is obvious that you really love what you do and your willingness to share and give credit where due just shows how much you like to explore new modalities of movement and keep it all fresh and creative. I thank you for keeping us all inspired!!

“10 At first I was trying to figure out what Dr. Bell was doing by spending so much time going around the room. Then the story unfolded as she wove the discussion through all of our personal stories. Brilliantly creative. A topic that I learned so much more about.”

“10 Fabulous format – I too was skeptical that it would work, but it did! Wealth of information, presented from a very heartfelt space.”

“10 This was amazing! Kimberley was extremely knowledgeable, appreciated her energy, answering everyone’s questions in an easy manner was huge for me. Incredible!”