Yoga Thrive
Teacher Training Program NEXT INTAKE MARCH 2024
About Yoga Thrive: Yoga Thrive is an evidence-informed yoga program for individuals diagnosed with cancer (on- and/or off-treatment) and their support persons. Evidence-informed means that the program was originally developed as a research project, however, based on interest in the community, it was transitioned to a sustainable community program. Now, over 15 years later the most up-to-date evidence is continually integrated back into the program to ensure it is optimized in terms of safety and benefits. The program operates through Tyla Arnason in partnership with Dr. Culos-Reed at the Health and Wellness Lab at the University of Calgary: More about Yoga Thrive on the UofC website
About the Yoga Thrive Teacher Training Program: Recognizing more and more individuals receive a diagnosis of cancer each year and that therapeutic yoga offers extensive cancer-specific and general benefits, the need to train yoga instructors to deliver the Yoga Thrive program/safe yoga was apparent. In 2009, the Yoga Thrive Teacher Training Program was developed to equip instructors to deliver safe, effective and beneficial yoga classes to individuals with cancer. The program operates through Tyla Arnason in partnership with Dr. Culos-Reed at the Health and Wellness Lab at the University of Calgary.
Impact to teachers; This is a life changing training. It offers teachers a chance to deepen their skills and increase the credibility of their work via a well recognized, evidence-informed program. It provides a forum to connect and network with other yoga teachers and therapists across the country who share the common desire to improve the quality of life for individuals diagnosed with cancer. In some cases, this training also leads to involvement in future work (programs, research, etc.) with our team as some of our research and programs run across Canada. Though this training is cancer specific it will complement any teacher's skillset and is applicable to chronic illness in general. This training is made up of both cancer education and practical application. The practical application focuses on the many aspects of yoga, but due to overwhelming feedback, the emphasis is on asana, movement and adapting poses for people in a place of recovery with the safest approach.
Tyla Arnason Yoga Therapist C-IAYT, Senior Yoga Thrive Instructor & Owner of The Yoga Effect in Calgary, AB will teach the practical application of therapeutic yoga section. This section will involve introducing you to specific class sequencing, the use of props, important guidelines and modifications for cancer survivors. We will work through the most common side effects and complications we see in our students as well as case studies and teacher experiences. We will address chair yoga, chronic pain, motivational interviewing, scope of practice and more. You will leave with a 12-week session of class plans to use as is or to help you in developing your own sessions.
Please see what other teachers and students are saying about our trainings and workshops….
Tyla Arnason presents the Yoga Thrive Teacher Training course with a beautiful sense of strength, humility and authenticity. It is clear that she is deeply passionate, knowledgeable and experienced in helping people diagnosed with cancer through the practice of Yoga. She is skilled in making Yoga accessible to all, without getting caught up in dogma. She is very real in sharing what she knows while remaining open to learning more; her commitment first and foremost is to the well-being of her clientele.
Dr. Culos-Reed presents the science underlying Yoga Thrive in a clear, concise manner that is easy to understand and bolsters confidence in the program by lay-people and professionals alike. She has dedicated countless hours to building the evidence for community-based yoga and exercise programs for cancer survivors and her efforts, slowly but surely, are changing the way people prescribe and engage in physical activity as a key component of cancer treatment and recovery. We are blessed to have access to her tremendous expertise in this area.
It was such a great yoga teacher training weekend largely because of all the hard work, detailed preparation and years of loving attention poured into Yoga Thrive. Tyla you were a terrific teacher exposing your vulnerability and deep compassion while also presenting with tremendous precision. It was so clear that you love what you do and people benefit from your approach because you are so passionate, caring and deeply engaged. Your details around anatomy were very helpful for me and for many others. With Heartfull Gratitude
Timothy R. Walker, Ph.D. – Halifax NS - The Healing Circle www.TheHealingCircle.ca
I just want to thank you so much for all the energy that you put into making this weekend happen as well a the sacrifices you all made personally and professionally to make it so. It was professional, well thought out and clearly presented. As a new yoga teacher I really needed this and will be able to use many of these learnings in my regular teachings as well.
When I attended a previous training to work with this population I felt too terrified to teach but now with this detailed training with guidance to poses and props I feel more confident that with some practice I will be ok. I have added many tools to my toolbox this weekend and made many connections for support.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making this possible and for equipping yoga teachers in Atlantic Canada with the knowledge they need to help those working with cancer in their lives. It was desperately needed. We will all now be able to go forward and make a difference for others and aid them in their healing journey.
Tyla thank you for teaching from your heart it was pure and passionate. Ashley thank you for your expert knowledge and coordination. Dr. Culos-Reed, thank you for sharing these lovely ladies and all the hard work you are doing at the university towards making a difference in the lives of those affected by cancer.
Barb Stewart – Certified Yoga Instructor, Nova Scotia, Canada
