Level 1 - Yoga for Children and Teens (Autism, Neurodiversity & Diverse Needs) October 2026
Gain the knowledge and confidence to teach yoga to children and teens with diverse needs!
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PLEASE NOTE - THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS FOR REGISTERING
The Level 1 - Yoga for Children - Autism, Neurodiversity and Diverse Needs course offers fun and effective strategies for teaching yoga and mindfulness to children with diverse brains, bodies and abilities.
Please note: Level 2 - 95-hour Children's Yoga Teacher Certification TBA, 2026 - Take both the Level 1 and Level 2 Trainings and Become a 95-hour Certified Children's Yoga Teacher with an Emphasis on Inclusion and Accessibility!
A combination of Online Learning and Virtual Connection to the Lead Trainer and Community of Participants.
Participants will begin the course starting October 28th. Curriculum will be available Monday, October 26th. We will meet 4 times via Zoom throughout the course. The rest of the time will be online videos, lectures, reading and homework assignments.
Dates: October 28th-November 8th, 2026
Registration:
$550 if registered by the Early Bird deadline (September 28th)
$650 following the early bird deadline
Please note: Registration for the course is non-refundable for any and all reasons. By registering for and paying for the course you are acknowledging that there will be no refunds given. Should there be a conflict with timing you will have the option to transfer to a future course for a $50 rescheduling fee. Once you access the course curriculum, there will not be an option to reschedule.
Zoom Meetings
The Zoom meetings are an opportunity to connect as a community, review course content, ask questions and practice together.
You will receive the Zoom Meeting invites with the links once the course begins. Please arrange your schedule accordingly so you are able to be present and engaged during the meetings.
Attendance in the meetings is required for completion of the Level 1 Certificate. There is NO Exception to this
It is not an option to switch Zoom meeting groups. Your Zoom meeting group is based on your location.
Zoom Meetings
Group 1
October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 9:00am-12:00pm PST
Attendance in the meetings is required for completion of the Level 1 Certificate
Global Time Zones:
United States - October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 9:00am-12:00pm PST (Pacific Standard Time)
Please check the time for your time zone in the United States.
Canada
(Please double check the times for your time zone)
PDT - October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 9am-12pm
MDT - October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 10am-1pm
ADT - October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 1pm-4pm
EDT - October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 12pm-3pm
Mexico: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8
CDT - 5:00pm-8:00pm
PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK THE TIME ZONES FOR YOUR COUNTRY
Greece: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 7pm-10pm
England: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 5pm-8pm
Ireland: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 5pm-8pm
Germany: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 6pm-9pm
Spain: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 6pm-9pm
Netherlands: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 6pm-9pm
Sweden: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 6pm-9pm
France: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 6pm-9pm
India: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 9:30pm-12:30am
Israel: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 7:00pm-10:00pm
Poland: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 6:00pm-9:00pm
Italy: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 6:00pm-9:00pm
Brazil: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 1:00pm-4:00pm
United Arab Emirates: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 8:00pm-11:00pm
Albania: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 6:00pm-9:00pm
Saudi Arabia: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 7:00pm-10:00pm
Group 2
* Please note: Depending on registrations, Group 2 may view the recorded zoom meetings from Group 1 and will submit reflections of the zoom meetings. Please be prepared to meet for the dates/times below. You will be notified prior to the start of the training if you will watch recordings or attend the live meetings at your designated time.
IT IS NOT AN OPTION FOR THOSE IN GROUP 1 TIME ZONE TO SWITCH - THIS IS ONLY FOR THOSE IN GROUP 2 TIMES ZONE.
Global Time Zones:
October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 3:00pm-6:00pm PDT
New Zealand and Australia: (November 1, 2, 8 & 9) (Please double check your time zone)
ACDT - 9:30am -12:30pm
AEST - 8:00am-11:00am
AEDT - 9:00am-12:00pm
ACST - 7:30am - 10:30am
AWST - 6:00am - 9:00am
China: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 - 6am-9am
Japan: October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 , 7am-10am
Philipines:October 31, November 1, 7 & 8 , 6am-9am
Participants will learn tools to support children ages 5-17 with self-regulation, body awareness, interoception, social skills, expression of difficult emotions, language and communication, social skills, reducing anxiety and much much more!
Learn strategies, supports and modifications to teach yoga and mindfulness to children including Autism, ADD/ADHD, Down Syndrome, Prader Willi, Williams Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Sensory Integration difficulties, Language Processing difficulties, Developmental Delays, Limited Mobility, Learning difficulties Anxiety, Trauma, Behavioral Challenges and more!
- Yoga Teachers
- Pediatric Physical Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Speech Therapists
- Behavior Specialists
- Mental Health Practitioners
- Educators
- School Psychologists
- Social Workers
- Therapists
- Pediatric or School Nurses
- Parents
- A.P.E/P.E Teachers
- Anyone who is passionate about sharing the benefits of yoga and mindfulness with children of all abilities!
Participants Receive:
- Playful and compassionate connection with like-minded community.
- Comprehensive Course Manual, Online Videos, Webinars, Resources and Group Meetings.
- Hours packed full of Learning, Yoga Lesson Plans, Games, Songs, Mudras, Mantras, Chants, Stories and Activities.
- Anatomy and Physiology, Precautions and Contraindications related to children with special needs.
- Creative, Fun and Safe suggestions for Asanas (physical poses), Pranayama (breathing strategies) and relaxation and mindfulness activities.
- Suggestions for Props, Modifications, Adaptations, Tools and Supports to meet the needs of diverse cognitive and physical abilities.
- Chair Yoga for "yoga breaks" and for children with physical limitations.
- Positive Behavior Strategies
- Understanding the Nervous System, Fight/Flight/Freeze and the impact of unmanaged stress.
- Strategies and tools to support social/emotional learning and improved mental and physical health and well-being.
- Trauma Sensitive Approach.
- Poses and Breathing Strategies to support Self-regulation, Sensory Processing and Expressing/Releasing Difficult Emotions.
- Suggestions for how to structure classes and lesson plans for groups with diverse needs.
PLEASE NOTE: There is required reading for this course. Pre-order the book in this link prior to the start of the course. You have the option to order the paperback book or the Kindle version. Asanas for Autism and Special Needs - Yoga to Help Children with their Emotions, Self-regulation and Body Awareness
This course will be a combination of online self-paced learning and group learning and connection via Zoom meetings. Please Note: You will be required to attend the scheduled Zoom meetings. Please see scheduled times and dates along with dates and times for global locations above. PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK YOUR TIME ZONE CONVERSION PRIOR TO REGISTERING.
Sample Course Curriculum - Once registered full Curriculum will be available by August 12th
Lesson 1
Benefits of Yoga for Children with Diverse Needs
- Common Challenges
Lesson 2
Sensory Processing and the 8 Senses
- Vestibular System
- Proprioceptive System
- Interoception
- Crossing the Midline
- Self-regulation
Lesson 3
Body Awareness
- Visuals
- Tapping
- Songs, Games & Activities
- Right/Left
Lesson 4
Asanas/Yoga Poses
- Categories of Poses and Contraindications
- Calming Poses and Variations
- Energizing Poses and Variations
- Chair Poses
- Poses for Vestibular Input
- Poses for Proprioceptive Input
- Poses for Crossing and Coming to the Midline
- Poses for Core-Strengthening
- Motor Planning and Bi-lateral Coordination - Accessing both sides of the body
- Practice Teaching
Lesson 5
Supporting Complex Needs
- Adaptations, Modifications and Contraindications for Specific Needs
- Children with Cerebral Palsy
- Children with Down Syndrome and Prader Willi
- Children with Autism and ADHD
- Hypermobility and Low/High Tone
- Hyperactive/High Arousal
- Motor Apraxia, Speech Apraxia and Dyspraxia
Lesson 6
Breathing Strategies and Visualization Strategies
- Autonomic Nervous System - Fight/Flight/Freeze Response
- Calming (down-regulating) Breathing Strategies
- Energizing/Alerting (up-regulating) Breathing Strategies
- Releasing Difficult Emotions through the Breath
- Sensory/Self-Regulation
- Digestion
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Core Activation
- Cause/Effect Breathing Activities/Tools
Lesson 7
Guided Imagery, Visualization and Meditation for Children
- Meditation/Concentration Activities
- Chants and Sounds
- Mudras
Lesson 8
Yoga Games and Activities
- Developing Yoga Based Lesson Plans
- Structuring Yoga Class by Age and Stage of Development
- Yoga Games and Activities
Lesson 9
Behavior Management
- Effective Strategies for Teaching and Reaching Children with Special Needs
- Visual Charts
Zoom Meeting Agenda Sample
Day 1:
- Introductions
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Review Syllabus and Schedule
- Review Expectations for Course
- Review Lessons 1-3
- Q&A
- Closing
Day 2:
- Journaling
- Mediation & Mantra Work
- Review Lesson 4 & 5
- Break out Room for Practice Teaching
- Closing
Day 3:
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Group Practice Teaching
- Closing
Day 4:
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Review Lessons 6-9
- Closing/Graduation
Course Curriculum
Your Instructor
Shawnee Thornton Hardy is a yoga therapist, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner, Ayurvedic wellness guide, and somatic touch facilitator. She is the founder of Embodied WellBeing Yoga Therapy, Asanas for Autism and Special Needs, and Yoga Therapy for Youth, and brings over three decades of experience working with diverse populations across all ages and stages of life. Her work is devoted to supporting children, teens, and young adults with neurodivergence, sensory processing differences, and complex needs—while also guiding the professionals who care for them. She is deeply passionate about helping individuals reconnect with their inner child through her trainings and offerings, supporting healing, play, and a return to authenticity.
With a deeply integrative and somatic approach, Shawnee weaves together yoga therapy, sensory integration, Polyvagal-informed practices, Somatic Experiencing, and embodied awareness to support regulation, resilience, and authentic expression. Her work is rooted in the understanding that behavior is communication, and that healing happens through safety, connection, and the body.
Shawnee is the creator of the C.A.L.M.M. Yoga Toolkit and Body Sensations Curriculum, and the author of Asanas for Autism and Special Needs and Yoga Therapy for Children and Teens with Complex Needs. She leads trainings and workshops internationally and serves as faculty for yoga therapy programs, mentoring practitioners in developing compassionate, inclusive, and effective approaches. She has been featured in numerous magazines, online publications, and podcasts.
Her teaching is both practical and deeply human—bridging science, lived experience, and heart-centered care. The root of her teachings is inclusion and accessibility. Through her courses, Shawnee invites you into a way of working that honors the nervous system, respects individuality, and supports meaningful, lasting change.
See her Website Here