Yoga supports everyone’s body, mind, and spirit, but it offers particular benefits for people with neurological conditions.
Neurological conditions are any disease, disorder, or injury of the brain, spinal cord, or nerves. They are the leading cause of ill health and disability, affecting over 1 in 3 people worldwide, according to a recent report from the World Health Organization.
While yoga may not be a cure, it’s an essential complementary therapy for many neurological conditions, such as stroke, M.S., spinal cord injury, and migraine.
Asana, pranayama, meditation provide effective methods for working with the nervous system, creating balance and a sense of wellbeing. At the same time, it’s important for yoga teachers and practitioners to be aware of certain contraindications.
Neurological Conditions & Yoga is a series of 10 workshops guided by yoga teachers and yoga therapists with expertise in serving this diverse population. The majority of the faculty have lived experience of neurological conditions, so they will share from that experience as well as current best practices. Together we’ll explore the safe and effective application of yoga for symptom reduction as well as physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.
In this series, you’ll learn more about common neurological conditions such as:
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Stroke
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Multiple Sclerosis
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Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion
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ALS
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Parkinson’s Disease
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Spinal Cord Injury & Neuropathic Pain
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Dementia
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Fibromyalgia & Migraine
SERIES OVERVIEW & SCHEDULE
Neurological Conditions & Yoga: Practice & Teaching for Well-Being is a 20-hour LIVE online workshop series.
All sessions will be recorded and captioned. Enrollment includes access to workshop recordings and resources for 1 year.
May 15 - June 16, 2026
Tuesdays & Fridays (10 sessions)
9am-11am PDT | 12pm-2pm EDT
5pm-7pm BST (UK)
(convert to your local time-zone)
Session 1
Friday May 15th, 2026
9am-11am PT | 12pm-2pm ET
Overview of Neurological Conditions & Yoga
with Lian Norris
To begin our series, this workshop with Occupational Therapist and Yoga Teacher, Lian Norris, will offer an introduction to neuroanatomy, the benefits of yoga for brain health, and an overview of common symptoms of neurological conditions.
Participants will experience a guided yoga practice with accessible variations and teaching strategies designed to create empowering, inclusive classes for all abilities.
Session 2
Tuesday May 19th, 2026
9am-11am PT | 12pm-2pm ET
Yoga & Stroke
with Abigail Atkinson
Stroke is a leading cause of disability worldwide, and it can change balance, strength, coordination, sensation, vision, communication, and stamina. In this session, you’ll explore these common post-stroke patterns and translate them into confident teaching choices: skillful setup, clear cueing, supportive sequencing, and practical prop-based adaptations. You’ll leave with a clear sense of what to notice, what to prioritize, and how to create classes that support safety, agency, and a meaningful experience. We’ll pair learning with a chair-based practice so you can feel more informed and confident teaching yoga with stroke survivors.
Session 3
Friday May 22nd, 2026
9am-11am PT | 12pm-2pm ET
Yoga & Multiple Sclerosis
with Cherie Hotchkiss
In this workshop, Cherie Hotchkiss will share her continuing journey of managing the diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis (MS) over the past 27 years. She will cover what MS is and isn’t, visible and invisible symptoms, how her personal yoga practice has assisted all aspects of navigating an incurable neurological condition, bed yoga, adapting yoga instruction as well as poses, inclusion, and safety concerns with assistive devices. The asana portion of this workshop will be experiential, using unique props to simulate some of the sensations of the challenges of practicing yoga and Multiple Sclerosis. We will also focus on asanas that relate to necessary every day functions.
Session 4
Tuesday May 26th, 2026
9am-11am PT | 12pm-2pm ET
Yoga, Traumatic Brain Injury & Concussion
with Dr. Shailla Vaidya
Yoga is believed to be over 5000 years old, codified around 2000 years ago, and yet it still remains pertinent today. Yoga has profound structural, physiological, and even genetic effects on the body.
In this workshop, Dr. Shailla Vaidya will review how yoga can aid in brain injury recovery by fostering neuroplasticity, supporting Autonomic Nervous System regulation, and helping those with brain injury feel like themselves again.
Session 5
Friday May 29th, 2026
9am-11am PT | 12pm-2pm ET
Yoga & ALS
with Kimberly Richardson
& Ron Caruso
Join Ron Caruso, Founder of InfluentiALS Foundation, and Kimberly Richardson, Certified Yoga Therapist and Yoga Researcher, as they discuss the benefits of yoga for persons living with ALS. They'll be sharing results from recent research, unique insights from lived experience, and a gentle breath-centered yoga practice as resources for assisting individuals living with this progressive neurodegenerative disease. The focus will be on supporting persons living with ALS using a lens of research, breathwork, and lived experience.
Session 6
Tuesday June 2nd, 2026
9am-11am PT | 12pm-2pm ET
Yoga & Parkinson’s Disease
with Renee Le Verrier
In this workshop participants will gain an understanding of Parkinson’s symptoms and treatments. They will also learn about approaches for identifying, modifying, and adapting practices that can relieve motor and non-motor symptoms.
Renee will also share methods for selecting and sequencing asana and pranayama to best benefit students living with Parkinson’s.
Session 7
Friday June 5th, 2026
9am-11am PT | 12pm-2pm ET
Yoga, Spinal Cord Injury & Neuropathic Pain
with Rodrigo Souza
Led by a yoga teacher living with chronic pain and a spinal cord injury, this session offers a unique perspective on healing. Together, we'll explore how yoga can be a profound tool for managing pain and fostering a sense of wholeness. You'll learn gentle, adaptable practices that have personally helped Rodrigo reconnect with his body and transform his relationship with pain. In addition to personal insights, you'll gain valuable tools to support your disabled students, empowering them on their journey toward healing and connection. Join us to cultivate compassion, resilience, and a deeper understanding of how yoga can be a beacon of hope and healing for all.
Session 8
Tuesday June 9th, 2026
9am-11am PT | 12pm-2pm ET
Yoga & Dementia
with Eve Adler
Alzheimer’s Disease is the most common form of dementia. Research supports the practice of yoga as an ideal early intervention for those with modifiable risk factors for Alzheimer’s Disease development. Yogic practices have shown effectiveness in enhancing learning abilities in both older adults and children and have proven to be valuable to help with memory enhancement, preventing cognitive conditions, and increasing brain activity. In this workshop, the importance of asana, pranayama, meditation, sangha (community), and spiritual resilience will be discussed in relation to dementia. We will conclude with a short yoga practice demonstrating ways to implement these recommendations into everyday life.
Session 9
Friday June 12th, 2026
9am-11am PT | 12pm-2pm ET
Yoga, Fibromyalgia and Migraine
with Natalia Tabilo
This workshop explores accessible yoga practices for people living with migraine and fibromyalgia. Participants will gain both theoretical and practical insights, learning how neurological and chronic pain conditions affect movement and energy.
Natalia Tabilo will share her best tips for safe, adaptable practices, including the strategic use of props to support comfort and alignment. Attendees will leave with tools to create inclusive, evidence-informed yoga sessions, empowering all bodies to move safely, mindfully, and with greater ease.
Session 10
Tuesday June 16th, 2026
9am-11am PT | 12pm-2pm ET
Neuroscience of the
Nervous System (1 hour)
with Dr. Abha Karki Rajbhandari
This presentation will focus on key aspects of neuroscience that are essential for brain health and healing, including the autonomic nervous system, neuronal plasticity (structural and functional), metabolism, cardiovascular health, and immune function. It will also explore how yoga supports nervous system health through these mechanisms, both directly and indirectly.
+ Series Summary (1 hour)
with Jivana Heyman
Jivana will spend the last hour of the series with a review of all the sessions and general takeaways from each presenter. The goal of this session is to support our learning together in community. He’ll welcome input regarding what we’ve learned on this journey together.
Equity Pricing Explained:
Upon registration, you’ll choose from one of three pricing tiers that best suits your financial means:
- Community Rate (supported by your peers)
- Sustainer Rate (covers your enrollment)
- Supporter Rate (covers your enrollment + supports peers)
Need help clarifying which pricing tier is most appropriate for you? Please refer to this helpful graphic by Alexis J Cunningfolk.
Each tier offers 2 ways to enroll:
- Single upfront payment
- 3-month payment plan, with equal installments charged upon registration and on the same date each month for the duration of your plan.
If the pricing options available are not financially accessible, please refer to the partial scholarship application information below.
Intention of Equity Pricing:
Our equity pricing structure and scholarship program was created to amplify training access for those who hold marginalized identities and those experiencing significant financial hardship.
If neither of those qualifications apply to you, please consider enrolling at the Supporter or Sustainer Rate, which supports the ability to offer Scholarships and a Community Rate to folks experiencing financial difficulties.
Click your chosen pricing tier below to access payment options.
In addition to the live workshops, enrollment includes 1 year of access to the live session recordings and associated resources.
Community Rate $399
Sustainer Rate $499
Supporter Rate $599
Partial Scholarships
Please review our above tiered pricing and payment plan options, as well as the intention of our equity pricing structure.
If our tiered pricing and payment plan options are financially inaccessible, you are welcome to apply for a partial scholarship.
PARTIAL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION