Book Amber Karnes to Teach
Amber Karnes is based in Baltimore, Maryland, and frequently travels the globe leading teacher trainings, retreats, and workshop intensives.
Amber is booking limited teaching engagements (options listed below) for the 2020 and beyond. Yoga Alliance contact hour CEUs are available for all events.
Accessible Yoga Training
3 day training (30 Yoga Alliance CEUs)
The Accessible Yoga Training focuses on how to make the yoga teaching available to everyone, regardless of their level of physical ability. We’ll focus on creating integrated Accessible Yoga classes where all students can practice together. We’ll explore the many ways that yoga practice can be modified to suit students with disabilities, physical challenges, chronic illness, seniors, and anyone who doesn’t feel comfortable in a regular class.
We’ll consider how to make our classes welcoming to everyone, and to approach students in a trauma-informed way. You’ll learn sample Accessible Yoga classes, chair yoga classes and even bed yoga classes. We’ll also look at ways of bringing the yoga teachings and meditation into your classes, and how all of yoga can be used to support health and healing for every body. We’ll also review common medical conditions so that you have a basic understanding of these issues, and review essential concepts of yoga philosophy to build your understanding of the teachings.
Graduates of the program become Accessible Yoga Ambassadors and connect with a network of Accessible Yoga teachers and students around the world. Participants who have completed a 200-hour yoga teacher training will become Certified Accessible Yoga Teachers. View complete curriculum details and a sample schedule here.
Body Positive Yoga Teacher Intensive
2-3 day workshop intensive for teachers (20-30 Yoga Alliance CEUs)
Learn how to craft and language a yoga class that is truly welcoming for students of all shapes, sizes, and abilities. Yoga teachers’ workshops with me will include both practical asana instruction and discussion. Together, we’ll explore how to create inclusive, welcoming, and equitable spaces, and examine how to break down barriers to wellness.
We’ll debunk stereotypes and discuss how to create an environment of safety, agency, and consent. We’ll also explore common challenges faced by larger-bodied students and those with mobility issues. We’ll practice asana modifications and ways to use yoga props to help your students get the most out of your class.
I will speak from my experience as both a larger-bodied yoga student and teacher, and together we’ll build a toolbox to make your classes more welcoming and inclusive. Bring any and all questions that you might hesitate to ask your students about how to make the practice work for them – we’ll troubleshoot them together in this body-positive yoga lab setting.
Making Peace with Your Body
2 day workshop intensive, open to all (16 Yoga Alliance CEUs)
With thousands of images of “perfection” shot at us every day, it can be easy to compare ourselves with others and internalize the constant judgment and scrutiny of our bodies.
This workshop intensive explores body acceptance through the lens of the yoga teachings. We will discover how the 8 limbs of yoga, the practice of non-attachment, a feminist lens, and techniques from cognitive psychology can help you get from self-loathing to radical self-acceptance.
This workshop combines movement (yoga asana), breathing and meditation, reflection and self-study, and an engaging lecture for an interactive time of self-discovery and transformation. We’ll discover ways to boost confidence, get in touch with our inner badass, and foster a healthy self image.
Guest Teaching for 200 or 300-hour Yoga Teacher Trainings
Add a module to your teacher training about inclusivity, wellness for marginalized communities, social justice and “off the mat” yoga, body-affirming and accessible asana, and more. I can customize this experience and present anything from a 6-hour workshop to a full weekend or more.
Another option is to use the Yoga For All online teacher training curriculum as an add-on to your existing YTT syllabus. Contact me to negotiate a discounted rate for enrolling all your teachers.
Speaking and Panels
I am available as a guest expert speaker on the topics of yoga, social justice (anti-racism, anti-capitalism, equality in access, and other anti-oppression work), accessibility, body image and self-acceptance, and Health at Every Size. I’m available for online or in-person workshops, trainings, panels, and events.
Couldn’t recommend this enough!
“I did three trainings this month and this one was the most beneficial. It was organized. I felt like I spent my money well with regards to content, set up, organization and I felt that the program was planned and thought out well before the presentation. We discussed topics around language and accessibility that I never got in teacher training and that impresses to me the importance of additional training and the experience of working with new instructors along my yoga journey. Couldn’t recommend Amber’s training enough!”