The Sonia Sumar Method: Yoga For All Abilities
Yoga can be available to anyone who would like to try it.
Yoga For All Abilities® is daily proof of this, as well as of yoga’s amazing impact.
What is Yoga for All Abilities?
It is a therapeutic, gentle and transformational method of yoga, rooted in traditional Hatha yoga.
Created by world-renowned yoga teacher Sonia Sumar, it is designed to empower - bringing joy, strength and fulfilment to children and adults with additional and complex needs.
The Sonia Sumar Method: Yoga For All Abilities works beyond labels that a person might be given, in particular due to their condition or perceived ability.
How did Yoga For All Abilities begin?
It began in Brazil in 1972, after Sonia’s second daughter Roberta was born with Down’s Syndrome, and she was immediately confronted with the imposed limits on her daughter by societal norms at that time.
A keen yoga student, Sonia began practicing yoga with her baby daughter and 2-year-old daughter Renata.
Sonia noticed many positive changes in Roberta’s physical and cognitive development from practicing yoga, as well as how it brought out confidence and happiness in both her daughters.
Photo: Roberta, Renata and Sonia Sumar practicing yoga
In 1975 Sonia became a Certified Yoga Teacher and, as doctors were also amazed by the results, many other parents began asking Sonia to work with their children.
Originally called Yoga for the Special Child, the method organically grew from word-of-mouth. Sonia opened her own yoga studio in Belo Horizonte and taught programs all over South America.
Roberta and Renata became the inspiration for - and fellow pioneers - behind the creation of this incredible yoga method.
In 2023, Yoga for the Special Child became The Sonia Sumar Method: Yoga For All Abilities to reflect not only changing vocabulary, but also the wider scope of a method which connects with all people. We often say that we all have some additional needs :)
Interested to know more?
Yoga for All Abilities now exists all over the world, from Europe to North America to Asia.
The Headquarters is in Sarasota, Florida in the US where Sonia Sumar and Renata Sumar Gaertner are now based.
For more information on Yoga for All Abilities visit www.specialyoga.com.
To find out if I might be a good fit to teach yoga to your child, a young or older adult, or in your school, please call or email me on the details below. ⬇️ I will be very happy to discuss this amazing method, and the first step of an evaluation session.
I am available to teach The Sonia Sumar Method: Yoga For All Abilities for children and adults with additional and complex needs, across Barnet, Finchley and North London.
In-person 1:1s classes in schools, group classes for young adults and private home lessons are all available.
Book in a call or evaluation…
Whether you are a parent, calling from a school, or for yourself, I would love to hear from you.
I am available across North London - and have 6 years’ experience working with children and adults with additional and complex needs, including:
Neurodiversity, such as autism and ADHD
Complex physical challenges, such as cerebral palsy
Genetic conditions, such as Down’s Syndrome
