Yoga Therapy Teacher Training On-line for Parkinson’s and Neuro-Motor Disorders

For Yoga Teachers, Yoga Therapists, Healthcare Providers, and Caregivers

With support from 7 grants from the Parkinson’s Foundation, this 25-hour training offers a comprehensive exploration of yoga’s impact on neuro-motor degenerative disorders, with a focus on Parkinson’s disease. It equips participants with assessment strategies and skills to design, implement, and evaluate personalized yoga therapy plans for clients, including those newly diagnosed. Key topics include:

• Anatomy and physiology of the nervous system
• Yoga’s philosophical and scientific basis in neurology
• Overview of Parkinson’s and related disorders
• Assessing client readiness and mobility
• Components of therapeutic yoga: asana, pranayama, mudra, bandha, dhyana
• Sequencing and adapting practices for specific symptoms
• Developing protocols for tremors, dyskinesia, speech issues, and more

Participants will gain the knowledge and confidence needed to effectively integrate yoga therapy into care for individuals with Parkinson’s and similar conditions.

Course limited to seven students, with only three spots remaining! An additional distance learning component must be completed by May 17, 2025.

This course has been designated by the International Association of Yoga Therapists as an Approved Professional Development course offering 25 CE credits.

Comprehensive Online Lecture Series and Practical Sessions

Join our engaging online Friday evening lecture series (Jan. 31; Feb. 7, 28; and March 7, 21, 2025) from 6-9pm Eastern Time (3-6pm Pacific Time). Enhance your understanding of Parkinson’s and neurodegenerative disorders through expert-led sessions.

Understanding Parkinson’s Disease: Early Indicators, Progression, Tremors, Dystonia, Dementia, and Psychological Impacts

Date: Friday, January 31, 2025; 6-9pm (Eastern Time) / 3-6pm (Pacific Time) with Melinda Atkins and Anthony Connell.

Explore Parkinson’s and other neuro-motor degenerative disorders, learning to craft effective protocols for symptom management.

“Prior to the course I did not know much about Parkinson’s disease. This training offered a lot of good evidence-based information that was presented in an organized and digestible format. Resources are very useful. I appreciate templates for assessments, various questionnaires, and protocols. Examples of protocols were also very helpful.” —M.P.

Holistic Healing through Pranayama and Yoga Nidra for Parkinson’s and Neurodegenerative Disorders 

 Date: Friday, February 7, 2025 Time: 6-9pm Eastern Time (3-6pm Pacific Time) with Adam Flores and Dawn A. Loftin

Holistic Healing through Pranayama: Managing Parkinson’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases: Discover how Pranayama and associated yoga practices can effectively aid individuals coping with Parkinson’s and other neurodegenerative conditions. This course delves into the physiological advantages, targeted exercises, and real-world applications of Pranayama, fostering improved health, symptom alleviation, and enhanced quality of life.

Enhancing Parkinson’s Wellness with Yoga Nidra Meditation: Explore effective techniques to address non-motor symptoms like cognitive decline, sleep issues, and pain, and manage emotional health challenges such as depression, anxiety, and impulse control associated with Parkinson’s disease. Research indicates up to a 65% increase in dopamine delivery during Yoga Nidra, benefiting brain regions crucial for Parkinson’s management.

“The course provided practical experience, included scholarly articles, and offered several methods for experiencing Yoga Nidra.” —A. P.

*Dawn leads additional Yoga Nidra classes on the second through fourth Mondays from 7-8 pm (Eastern Time) / 4-5pm (Pacific Time). Adam leads additional Pranayama classes on the first, third, and fourth Wednesday of each month from 7-8pm (Eastern Time) / 4-5pm (Pacific Time).

As part of their training, Yoga Therapy Candidates are required to assist a minimum of two of the above class sessions in addition to the required shadowing of a minimum of three 90-minute clinic sessions (see below).

Mindful Living: Meditation, Restorative Yoga, and Mudras for Emotional Resilience in Parkinson’s Disease and Neurodegenerative Disorders

Date: Friday, February 28, 2025; 6-9pm (Eastern Time) / 3-6pm (Pacific Time) with Martha Victoria and Grisell Gonzalez

Discover the Benefits of Mudras, Meditation, and Restorative Postures for Neuro-Motor Degenerative Disorders. Explore the therapeutic potential of mudras and meditation, alongside the benefits of restorative postures in managing symptoms like tremors in neuro-motor degenerative disorders.

“You can tell that both Martha and Grisell are very experienced, and that each is proficient in their specialty. The teaching materials were on point and the demos brought their points to life.”

Yoga Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease: Assessments and Protocol Preparation

Date: Friday, March 7, 2025; 6-9pm (Eastern Time) / 3-6pm (Pacific Time)
with Grisell Gonzalez & Anthony Connell

Yoga Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease: Assessments with Tony Connell

How to Prepare a Protocol for Parkinson’s Disease with Grisell Gonzalez

Master the skills needed to design effective yoga therapy protocols for Parkinson’s Disease in this foundational course. Gain a deep understanding of the condition and its symptoms, learn how to conduct pre- and post-assessments, and develop protocols that integrate various yoga practices to address both the physical and emotional challenges associated with Parkinson’s.

Yoga Therapy Protocol Review for Parkinson’s and other Neuro-Motor Disorders

Final Protocol Review and SOAPs

Date: Friday, March 21, 2025; 6-9pm (Eastern Time) / 3-6pm (Pacific Time), 2024 with Grisell Gonzalez, Tony Connell, and Melinda Atkins

In the final protocol review and SOAP notes session, students refine their skills by designing and presenting a 60-minute protocol addressing multiple PD symptoms, incorporating insights from courses like “Understanding Parkinson’s Disease,” “Holistic Healing through Pranayama and Yoga Nidra,” “Mindful Living: Meditation and Restorative Yoga,” and “Assessments and Protocol Preparation.” In the final group PD Training session, students apply their learning to create effective therapeutic yoga protocols for Parkinson’s management.

Following the Protocol Review, the course introduces the use of SOAP (Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan) notes specifically tailored for Parkinson’s disease. This enables students to develop personalized treatment plans, assess their effectiveness, and make necessary adjustments.

Parkinson’s Mental Health and Yoga Therapy for Caregivers

Dates: Saturday, March 15 & May 17, 2025 from 2-3pm (Eastern Time) / 11am-12pm (Pacific Time) with Dr. Ghada Osman.

Additional Saturday Session

Students participate in a specialized Saturday session of the Yoga Therapy for Parkinson’s Mental Health Class for Caregivers, led by Dr. Ghada Osman. Choose from March 15 or May 17, 2025; 2-3pm Eastern Time (11am-12pm Pacific Time).

Gain Insights from Dr. Ghada Osman, a distinguished Harvard-educated expert, on the Psychological Well-being of PD Patients and Care Partners. Discover Tailored Yoga Practices for Caregivers.

Participation in a minimum of three 90-minute clinic sessions is required. Select from the following convenient time slots

Date: Tuesdays, 6:45-8:15pm (Eastern Time) / 3:45-5:15pm (Pacific Time). *Mental Health for Parkinson’s: Mindfulness and Meditation, 4:30-5:30pm (Eastern Time) / 1:30-2:30pm (Pacific Time)

• Yoga Nidra for Parkinson’s: Sleep & Mental Well-being: Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, 2025
• Breathwork for Respiratory Health & Speech Disorders:Jan. 14, Feb. 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10, 2025
• Digestive Health & Breathwork for Parkinson’s:Managing Gut Symptoms: Jan. 21, Feb. 18, March 18, April 15, May 20, June 17, 2025
• Bilingual Class Dates: Tuesdays, 4:30–5:30pm (Eastern Time) / 1:15-5:45pm (Pacific Time): Mental Health for Parkinson’s: Mindfulness and Meditation: Jan. 28, Feb. 25, March 25, April 22 & 29, May 27, 2025*

Residents in or near Miami-Dade County can opt for a hybrid format, joining on-site classes on Saturdays from 1:45-3:15 pm (Eastern Time), 2024 on Jan. 11 & 25; Feb. 8 & 22; March 8 & 15; April 5 & 26; and May 3 & 10, 2025

 On Demand Zoom Session: Enhancing Emotional Health in Parkinson’s Patients with Ghada Osman

Parkinson’s is often viewed primarily as a movement disorder characterized by motor symptoms. However, it also involves non-motor symptoms like cognitive decline, sleep issues, pain, and emotional health issues such as depression, anxiety, and impulse control. For example, around 40% of individuals with PD experience depression, which is more predictive of disability and distress than motor symptoms. Depression can accelerate physical decline, impair cognitive abilities, and reduce quality of life and treatment adherence.

In this pre-recorded workshop, the focus is on mental and emotional health symptoms in PD, exploring how yoga therapy can effectively address them. Participants will gain insights into key considerations such as the mind-body connection and the integration of mental health support into caregiving practices for PD patients and their caregivers.

“Thank you Aum Home Shala & Parkinson’s Foundation for a great lecture and for offering Yoga Therapy and Meditation to the PD community.” —G. G.

“Dr. Ghada is extremely knowledgeable on the subject and brings a wealth of practical information to the table.” —M. V.

“This course met my expectations in every way. I feel I understand and am able to continue to learn more with confidence and motivation.” —E. O.

Recording available on YouTube

Tuition Structure for Yoga Therapy for PD Teacher Training:

   November 1 – December 15, 2024: less $75 = $685

   December 16, 2024 – January 1, 2025: less $50 = $710

  January 2 – January 31, 2025: regular price = $760

Faculty

Melinda Atkins, MEd, MSc, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is the founding director of AUM hOMe Shala, where she trains yoga teachers and yoga therapists. She completed her 500-hour certification at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, and received her Clinical Yoga Therapy certification at Loyola Marymount University. Melinda also develops and directs yoga programs for at-risk youth in inner-city Miami schools. She holds a master’s degree in education from the University of Florida.

Grisell B. Gonzalez, BA, C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, is a yoga therapist with a degree in Art History from the University of Washington. She has earned a 1,000-Hour Clinical Yoga Therapy Certification and a 500-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Certification from AUM Home Shala in Florida, as well as a 200-Hour Yoga and Meditation Teaching Certification from Ananda Washington. Grisell specializes in yoga therapy for Parkinson’s disease, neuroplasticity, and spinal health conditions. She also has expertise in Tai Chi and Qigong for health.

Ghada Osman, PhD, LMFT, PYT, C-IAYT, E-RYT500, is a yoga teacher, yoga therapist, psychotherapist, and author of Mental and Emotional Healing Through Yoga: A Guiding Framework for Therapists and their Clients. She has worked with a wide range of populations, from college students to hospice patients, and currently is full-time faculty, clinical supervisor, and lead of a large mental health counseling program in a community college district in San Diego County, California. In her private practice, her specialties include helping clients cope with a emotional health concerns including trauma, anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders and substance abuse using yoga as a healing modality. Ghada earned her 500-hour yoga teacher certification at Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, and is also trained in Street Yoga (designed for underserved populations) and Phoenix Rising Yoga Therapy. She holds a doctorate degree in philosophy from Harvard University and a master’s in psychology from Chapman University.

Anthony Connell, B.A., C-IAYT, E-RYT® 500, is a distinguished professional in the field of yoga therapy, with extensive expertise in neuro-motor degenerative disorders. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Florida International University. Currently, he serves as the Assistant Director and Clinical Director of AUM hOMe Shala’s Yoga Therapy Program. In addition, he has been the Assistant Director of the 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training Program for over 12 years. He teaches the Neuro-motor Degenerative Disorder module, focusing on the tremor and psychological impacts, as well as the adrenal glands segment of the Endocrine Module within AUM hOMe Shala’s Yoga Therapy Program. His journey into yoga began in 2002, following a period of illness during his teenage years. This personal experience fuels his passion for sharing the transformative benefits of yoga, including maintaining balance, alleviating stress, and enhancing self-esteem..

Dawn A. Loftin, B.S., M.A., C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, Level 1 ParaYoga® Certified Teacher, Certified ParaYoga® Nidra Teacher, Ayurveda Yoga Specialist, Relax & Renew Trainer, completed her 500-Hour Training and her Clinical Yoga Practicum with AUM hOMe Shala. Her initial studies to become a Certified Yoga Therapist began with the intension to learn more about anatomy, but during the clinical component, she discovered a calling to work with Parkinson’s Disease. Now Dawn is happy to share the blessings of ParaYoga® Nidra with the students and teachers at AUM hOMe Shala.

Adam Flores, Licensed CCPA , C-IAYT, E-RYT 500, YACEP, has advanced training in Yoga Therapy for Mental Health and is the CEO and Director of Yoga Therapy at Healing Choice, a chiropractic healthcare practice specializing in addiction recovery. He is a Certified Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, and Holistic Health Practitioner in Integrative Nutrition, Western Herbalism and Ayurveda. He is currently a developing partner for BE SERENE, an addiction recovery toolkit app based in yogic principles, and a new faculty member at AUM Home Shala.

Martha Victoria, B.A., C-IAYT, E-RYT® 500, YACEP®, transformed her life through yoga, evolving from disconnection to self-discovery and holistic well-being. Her mission is to guide others to the same wholeness through personalized yoga therapy. Since discovering yoga in 2014, Martha has completed over two thousand hours of training to become a Certified Yoga Therapist. She creates safe spaces for individuals to find their unique paths to well-being, integrating movement, breathwork, mantras, and meditation. Martha’s background in mysticism (Rosicrucian Order), engineering, and 40+ years in video production make her workshops engaging and practical, guiding clients on a journey of “Yoga beyond the surface!