Accessible Yoga Blog: Where do you teach? Who is the population?
Chantel: I run a yoga school in Ontario, Canada called Amara Vidya Yoga School. Grounded in accessibility and diversity, our school features online and direct contact training combined with progressive learning techniques. I also teach online web conference classes to private students who don’t have access to typical yoga studios. In addition, I run a clinical practice in Ontario where I combine my training in massage therapy, Thai massage and therapeutic yoga.
Accessible Yoga Blog: Can you share an experience that stands out?
Chantel: Many of my experiences have made me aware that I want to make all students feels safe and secure during yoga classes. One time a student revealed to me that he had a prosthetic limb and felt as that he couldn’t do yoga. I realized I had an opportunity to make him feel comfortable and supported within a group class. This experience and my work with palliative care participants made me realize that our connection to one another is what makes yoga powerful.
Accessible Yoga Blog: Why do you teach this group or this population? What made you choose this specific group
Chantel: When I graduated in 2002 I was already teaching to what we consider today as “special populations.” Until I moved back to North America in 2008, I didn’t know that certain populations experienced segregation or ostracism in the yoga room. It wasn’t until I started working in big box studios that I realized how many people were marginalized. I experienced a fair degree of bigotry myself, and also got in trouble for including my friends who were blind, obese or didn’t fit the “pretty” mold. I became more disenchanted with group classes as my continued training highlighted my desire to work with a wider spectrum of people.
Accessible Yoga Blog: What are you excited to do next with your students.
This post was edited by Gita Brown.
° FOLLOW Accessible Yoga on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
° REGISTER here for our next conference.
° DONATE here to help us bring yoga to people who don’t have access or have been underserved, such as people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, children with special needs, and anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable in a regular yoga class.
Accessible Yoga Blog: What are you excited to do next with your students.
Chantel: I am currently developing a program that integrates community service work with yoga teacher training. I am expanding my water yoga program and excited to teach more students who can benefit from a water-based practice.
Chantel Ehler is the founder of the Amara Vidya Yoga school in Ontario. She is also a registered massage therapist and ERYT-500 Yoga Alliance registered teacher. She enjoys teaching students of all abilities and is currently the Location Manager for the 2018 Accessible Yoga Conference in Toronto. Chantel also offers water-based yoga practice in her community.
Chantel Ehler is the founder of the Amara Vidya Yoga school in Ontario. She is also a registered massage therapist and ERYT-500 Yoga Alliance registered teacher. She enjoys teaching students of all abilities and is currently the Location Manager for the 2018 Accessible Yoga Conference in Toronto. Chantel also offers water-based yoga practice in her community.
This post was edited by Gita Brown.
° FOLLOW Accessible Yoga on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
° REGISTER here for our next conference.
° DONATE here to help us bring yoga to people who don’t have access or have been underserved, such as people with disabilities, chronic illnesses, children with special needs, and anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable in a regular yoga class.
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