Get reliable, trustworthy education and action around issues of equity in yoga
Accessible Yoga
Accessible Yoga provides essential education and discussion around issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in yoga.
Through yoga teacher trainings, online courses, workshop series, podcasts, mentorship, and more, our goal is to support yoga teachers with the practical tools they need to share the practice with every body.
As a yoga community and a movement, Accessible Yoga believes that we can teach and share yoga in alignment with the principles at the heart of the practice.
About Accessible Yoga
At Accessible Yoga, we’re dedicated to sharing the fullness of the yoga teachings by creating an inclusive and equitable practice that is safe and effective for every body, while being respectful of the South Asian roots of yoga.
We emphasize a yoga practice that simultaneously respects our individuality and our interconnectedness—celebrating Unity in Diversity.
Unfortunately, the wellness industry has commodified yoga culture, centered whiteness, and catered to wealth. As a result, many people don’t feel welcome or safe in yoga spaces, and the practice can feel exclusive and unwelcoming.
Founded in 2007 by Jivana Heyman, Accessible Yoga’s mission is clear:
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Make yoga accessible and equitable by opening the conversation about how we can share the practice more broadly
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Share tools and training for yoga teachers, yoga therapists, and yoga students who are seeking accessible practices and teachings
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Provide quality education around the depth and breadth of the teachings, while making sure that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility are prioritized
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Offer this education in a variety of formats—in-person, live online, and on-demand.
Check out Jivana’s story here.
Meet the Accessible Yoga Founders
Jivana Heyman
Accessible Yoga Founder & Director
Jivana Heyman (he/him), C-IAYT, E-RYT500, is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an organization dedicated to increasing access to the yoga teachings and supporting yoga teachers. He’s the author of Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body; Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage & Compassion; and The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga: Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body.
Over the past 30 years of teaching yoga, Jivana has focused on welcoming all people to practice and celebrating our individuality and our differences. His work has focused on dismantling ableism in the yoga world, as well as emphasizing the intersection of yoga and social justice. His books, classes, and trainings support yoga teachers and yoga therapists in finding ways to bring creativity and collaboration into their teaching while still respecting the ancient yoga tradition.
Connect with Jivana:
www.jivanaheyman.com | @jivanaheyman | facebook.com/jivanaheyman
Amber Karnes
Accessible Yoga School Co-Founder
Amber Karnes (she/her) co-founded the Accessible Yoga School with Jivana Heyman in 2020. She has since stepped back to work on other projects.
Amber is a multi-disciplinary artist, community builder, educator, and yoga teacher with over 25 years of community-building experience. Amber is the creator of Body Positive Yoga and the co-creator of many other successful yoga projects like Accessible Yoga School and Yoga For All Teacher Training.
Currently, Amber hosts adventure retreats where daring women can explore body acceptance through yoga, nature, and travel. She also offers marketing strategy coaching for solo business owners. Her new projects include a surfing retreat for complete beginners and an online community for people who want to learn marketing without social media. Find her at amberkarnes.com.
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