Training for Teachers

Our pre-eminent adaptive yoga teacher training is based upon the unique experience of our Founder Matthew Sanford, an award-winning author, nationally renowned yoga teacher, and paraplegic for more than 40 years.

Our goal: We want a skillful adaptive yoga teacher in every community.

Upcoming Workshops

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Benefits of Training With Us:

  • The ability to teach all students, including people living with trauma, loss, disability, mental illness, PTSD, and the elderly.
  • A deepening of your own practice as well as a transformation of how you teach both “traditional” and “non-traditional” students.
  • 32 Continuing Education hours (for the week-long, in-person training, 15 for the 3-day online intro workshop)  if you are a certified teacher of Yoga Alliance.
  • Access to our Opening Yoga to Everyone private Facebook group and ongoing resources.

Topics Covered Include:

  • Teaching the Experience of a Pose
  • Adapting Standing, Seated, Inverted, and Restorative Poses
  • The Art of Giving Reference
  • Planning, Sequencing, and Observing an Adaptive Class (during the weeklong, in-person training)

Workshops 2022

Mind Body Solutions now offers the core content of our in-person Foundations workshop in a series of two, 3-day online learning experiences. Learn from home in our online Intro to Adaptive Yoga I and II workshops or come to Minnesota for our in-person weeklong Foundations workshop. In every format, Matthew reveals deep mind-body insights, accessible practices, and gives you the chance to meet our amazing Mind Body Solutions adaptive yoga students.

The in-person Foundations workshop is held exclusively at our yoga studio in St. Louis Park, MN where we have welcomed students from around the world! For further questions, email amy@mindbodysolutions.org.

Mind Body Solutions, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, is pleased to offer scholarship opportunities for its Opening Yoga workshops during the 2020 calendar year.  Please take the time to read this information thoroughly before filling out your application.

Eligibility

Eligibility is primarily based upon financial need as set forth by the US Federal Household Guideline at 2½ times the Federal Poverty Level (see application chart).  We consider this application to be a trust-based process and rely on applicants’ honest and complete self-report of financial need.  Eligibility does not guarantee a scholarship.

Application Guidelines

Scholarship funds are limited and will be awarded for partial tuition. Apply early.  Scholarship applications are evaluated in the order received. We will notify you when your application is received and when we will begin making decisions about your application. Submitting an application does not register you for a course.  You may register and pay in full for a course prior to learning if you have been awarded a scholarship with the understanding that if you do not receive a  scholarship, you will be responsible for the full course tuition. Submitting an application does not guarantee you a scholarship. You may apply for more than one course, however, only one scholarship will be allowed per individual per year. If you do not receive a scholarship, you will be put on a waiting list and be reconsidered if someone cancels their scholarship. This scholarship may be used only by the intended recipient and is not transferable. Once notified of the award, the recipient will receive a special code to use during registration that will unlock the scholarship rate. Scholarships are available for only the workshops listed below.

Completing your Application

Part A: Fill out Application Form
Part B: Write a personal essay, not to exceed 250 words.

Our studio address is:

Mind Body Solutions 4212 Park Glen Road St. Louis Park, MN 55416 You will be flying into Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport.  The airport is a 20-30 minute drive from our studio. Here is a link to the driving directions: Airport Driving Directions. We encourage you to consider sharing a taxi or ride-sharing service from the airport with other workshop participants or take the SuperShuttle to your lodging: https://www.supershuttle.com/.

Where to stay when you’re here:

Hotel options can be found at http://www.hotels.com. Our workshop participants have also found affordable lodging options through https://www.airbnb.com Once you register for a workshop, you will receive a confirmation email with further recommendations regarding accommodation.

Transportation:

Anticipate renting a car to get to and from the studio. You may also consider carpooling or using a ride-sharing service such as Uber or Lyft. The studio is also conveniently located just off the Cedar Lake Bike Trail so if you have access to a bike, you may consider this as an option.

Where to eat during the workshop:

Nearby Minnetonka Boulevard, Excelsior Boulevard, and the surrounding area offer many dining options. MBS faculty will provide further suggestions at the workshop. The studio will remain open during lunch so feel free bring your own lunch or purchased food and to eat at the studio.  

Parking:

There is ample parking available in front of our studio, which is within The Yoga Center Retreat.

Dress in Layers! 

The weather in Minnesota can change quickly. Dress to stay comfortable during the training.

For other general questions and assistance, please contact Bethany Hutchinson: bethany@mindbodysolutions.org

Intro to Adaptive Yoga Online Workshop Comments:

“It was well presented and thorough. The support materials, videos, and resources are very helpful to review and continue learning after the training. It was a very friendly and comfortable atmosphere.” 

“I loved the open compassionate environment. You guys are truly gifted. Matthew has an incredible way with words.”

“I learned more about the universal aspects of yoga. I also learned that I have a lot to learn. From the start, I expected to find yogis who seek the deeper truths of yoga; I found this to be true.”

“It was amazing to be able to join from London, though the 22.00 hour finish was a challenge! I was apprehensive about being in a breakout room, but these turned out to be very special experiences I loved the generosity with which Matthew and Amy shared their work, and also the people on the panel – Joe and Mike, if I have their names right, in giving a small insight into their experience of yoga, and Lyndsey too, whom I had the privilege of being with in a breakout room The best way I can describe the 3 days was that I felt that I was being nourished – and that it will keep me going for some time Also that I could immediately incorporate something of the experience into my own teaching. The section on teaching online was very reassuring – it was good to find that so much of it resonated with the ways I have adapted my own teaching Thank you all so much!”

“Thank you for doing this! Please offer more! Can’t wait to see you in person!”

In-Person Workshop Comments:

“Every time I attend an MBS training, I learn more and experience yoga on a level I never would have thought possible.  It truly is Practical Magic and I am ever grateful that my yoga path has led to MBS.” Janit Buccella

“As a yoga teacher living and teaching through the lens of her own disabilities, I was deeply inspired by Matthew, his Level 1 training and the entire MBS team.  Matthew’s beautiful teachings remind me it’s not only right, but necessary to teach yoga how I know it and from the depth of my heart.” Laura DeSpain Olmsted

“Life changing training, not only as a yoga teacher and mental health professional but also as an individual.  You won’t regret the impact this training will have on yourself and others around. Sign up already!” Jennifer Del Castillo