Lauren Boardman Anna Sumerlin Brittany Raphael Hannah Lloyd ...

1. Program title
- “Yoga for All”
Written Proposal
Lauren Boardman
Anna Sumerlin
Brittany Raphael
Hannah Lloyd
2. Mission statement
- Yoga for All includes teens of all abilities in an inclusive setting where they can
increase their fitness, well being and overall quality of life.
3. Program overview
- The purpose of our program is to teach all people the benefits of yoga, teach a
variety of poses, and give people a healthy outlet to relieve stress and improve
overall well-being. The weekly program will be held in a local parks and recreation
agency. For example, in Ithaca it would be held at the Ithaca Youth Bureau. The
program would take place Wednesday and Saturday from 4:15 -5:00. The activities
will include breathing and relaxation techniques, stretching and a variety of different
poses. This program would be specifically designed for ages 12-18 of all abilities.
4. Funding sources
- We are submitting this proposal to the Board of the Ithaca Youth Bureau in hopes
that they will accept it and implement it as a new program. We are approaching the
board because we feel like it would enhance the many inclusive programs that the
youth bureau already offers and would be a new type of program to compliment the
programs already offered. It will be a desirable program
- We are presenting this proposal to the Board of Directors at the Ithaca YMCA in
hopes that they will provide a rent-free yoga studio for our program. Any YMCA
member who fits the age range would also be able to sign up for the program.
- We are going to look for any grants that would be available to fund our program at
the time it is offered.
5. Program Justification/rationale
- The Ithaca community has many teenagers with disabilities that would benefit from
this type of program. Yoga is something that can be varied to all different abilities
and would be a very good program for inclusion because of the fact that it is an
individual activity and people can push themselves to different levels. Yoga already
fits in well with the Ithaca culture and a more inclusive environment would expose
people who may not have experience with people with disabilities and allow for
interaction.

6. Program goals
- To improve the well being of all participants by providing an inclusive environment
- To improve flexibility
- To improve strength
- To improve overall physical fitness
- To improve balance
- To improve mindfulness and spirit
- To increase stamina
- To strengthen muscles
- Greater lung capacity
- Reduced levels of stress, tension and anxiety
- Improved mental clarity and focus
- Improved sense of well being
- Increased feelings of connection, less isolation
- More restful sleep
(May All Be Happy, 2008)
7. Anticipated benefits for participants with and without disabilities, families,
community
- This yoga program would benefit people with and without disabilities by improving
well being, flexibility, self-awareness and socialization. This program will allow
parents to bring their children to a safe environment where they will benefit from
physical activity. For the community, it would show everyone how much people with
disabilities are capable of and how important it is that they are included in programs
and that we can learn from them too.
8. Program plan
a. Individual needs/interests/abilities assessment
Each participant will be required to fill out an intake form. This way the teachers will
be aware ahead of time about individual needs since each participant will have such
varying abilities. Our intake form is designed so that the instructor can plan ahead
for what accommodations and adaptations will be needed for individuals. Certain
questions on the intake form can be used as a means of evaluating individual
progress throughout the course. In addition, if needs are assessed and it is
determined that adaptations and accommodations will be needed; an interview will
be scheduled with the family to discuss how instructor can best suit the needs of the
individual participating in the program. For intake form see attached, appendix A.
b. Staffing
The staff needed for this program would include one yoga teacher who is also
trained in teaching those with disabilities. Additional staff might be necessary for
those who need one- on-one assistance. We would recruit instructors by advertising
at local schools, yoga studios and organizations that serve youth with disabilities.

This option would be provided for. If any participant already has a full time aide
they are permitted to attend the program free of charge.
c. Staff training
The instructor will be required to have a Registered Yoga Teacher Certificate from
the Yoga Alliance, a nationally recognized organization. In addition to this the
teacher will be required to have some sort of past experience in inclusion and/or
inclusion training. If the teacher has no past experience they will be required to go
through a course similar to Inclusion U or the equivalent that is offered in the area
to receive an inclusion certificate.
Staff Training Plan
I. Historical background of inclusion (15 minutes)
History of institutionalization
Deinstitutionalization
Normalization theory
II. Importance of inclusion (40 minutes)
What is inclusion?
Inclusion terms
What is NOT inclusion
Benefits of inclusion
Segregated vs. inclusive programs
Barriers of inclusion (attitudinal, architectural, programmatic,
administrative)
III. Rationale for inclusion (10 minutes)
Self-Determination
IV. Person first language (10 minutes)
What is person first language?
Examples
What NOT to say
V. Inclusion strategies (30 minutes)
Behavioral Techniques
VI. Types of adaptive equipment (10 minutes)
Incorporating chairs for all participants
VII. Ways of adapting to create yoga experience for all (20 minutes)
Adapting poses
Breathing techniques
How to incorporate aides properly (fading)
VIII. Social inclusion (30 minutes)
Principles of social inclusion
Cooperation
Friendship Development
(Heyne, 2009)

d. Networking
We will collaborate with local schools and other recreation programs. We will call
the local superintendant to get in contact with schools and ask their permission to
advertise on their grounds. The local schools can advertise the programs and hand
out information to those who wish to learn more about it. The other recreational
programs at the youth bureau can also advertise the program and possibly provide
new ideas for implementation.
e. Equipment/materials
- Yoga mats
- Yoga blocks
- Stretching bands
- Chairs
f. Budget and budget justification
Since we plan on using the YMCA for our program most of the materials will already
be present. The YMCA already provides yoga classes, but not specifically for those
with disabilities. We would already have use of their mats, blocks, and stretching
bands. In addition to the already provided equipment we would need to buy and
adaptive equipment necessary. Participants of the program would pay a fee of $50
for the six week session. Scholarships are available through the youth bureau for
those in need. The fee charged will cover the staff and any left over money will go
to the Ithaca youth bureau. The estimated advertising costs around $50 dollars. This
includes the flyers distributed to schools, the YMCA, and the youth bureau.
COSTS
Yoga Mats – provided
Yoga Blocks – provided
Stretching bands – provided
Chairs – borrowed from YMCA
Advertising costs - $ 50 dollars
Instructor fee - $35 dollars per session * 12 total sessions = $420.00
TOTAL COSTS = $470.00
REVENUE
# Participants = 12 * $ 50.00 each = $600.00
TOTAL REVENUE = $600.00
TOTAL PROFIT = $130.00

g. Timeline for assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation
September/ October
- Flyers will be handed out to local schools and youth serving organization in
early September
- When people register they will fill out the intake form.
November/December
- Registration will end November 14 th .
- Beginning November 15 th , program administrators will assess the needs of
each participant and come up with a plan for implementation for successful
inclusion.
- Program will run from beginning of November to mid-December. It will start
November 28 th and will end January 3 rd .
January
- Program will end January 3 rd .
- Participants and parents will be asked to fill out evaluation forms.
- Staff will also be asked to meet and discuss program success and brainstorm
for future improvements
9. Implementation Procedures
a. Barriers that need to be overcome and how you plan to overcome them
The internal barriers that would need to be overcome are staffing and staff training.
Since this yoga program is designed to be inclusive, we would need to be certain
that the teacher had the proper training for facilitating an inclusive environment.
The external barriers that need to be overcome are stereotypes but we will try to
overcome this by using ice breakers and using techniques of social inclusion.
There will not be architectural barriers because we are using an accessible facility.
b. Curriculum and instructional strategies
Instructor will teach a variety of poses to all participants and will know how to adapt
them so participants can either do them from the yoga mat or from a chair or
wheelchair.
Some poses and stretches that will be taught
- Cat Pose
o Grip your chair or place your hands on your thighs
o Exhale as you round your upper body forward, dropping your chin
toward your chest, arching your spine like a cat
o Hold in this position for a few deep breaths
- Cow Pose
o Inhale, lengthen through your spine

o Exhale, lift your knee as high as it will go comfortably. Reach your
hands around your shin or the back of your leg so you can support
your leg as you stretch
o Hold for 3-5 breaths. Continue breathing deeply as you hold the
stretch
o Gently come out of the stretch
- Side Stretch
o Inhale and lift one arm up over your head, bring your other arm to
your hip, or on your arm rest for support
o Exhale your body to the opposite side
o Hold the pose for 3-5 breaths as you continue to breathe deeply
o Inhale come back to center and switch sides
- Leg Stretch
o Inhale, lengthen through your spine
o Exhale, lift your knee as high as it will go comfortably. Reach your
hands around your shin or the back of your leg so you can support
your leg as you stretch
o Hold for 3-5 breaths. Continue breathing deeply as you hold the
stretch
o Gently come out of the stretch
(May All Be Happy, 2008)
c. Social inclusion strategies
For the purposes of our program yoga will be done as a group in a circle instead of
separate rows. On the first day of the program we will go around in a circle and
everyone will introduce themselves and we will play an icebreaker game. Everyone
will also make name tags so people can interact and learn each other’s names. The
teacher will stress that each person has individual levels of abilities and therefore
everyone should strive for what they believe they are capable of doing. It will also be
stressed that if someone needs help they can ask anyone. If a participant has an aide
the aide will be talked to before the class about possibly using fading so the
participant can accomplish more on their own.
d. Programmatic adaptations and modifications
Modified poses will be used throughout the program. Also some poses will require
all participants to be in a chair so everyone has the same experience with those
certain poses. Other than that no other adaptations or equipment is needed.
Visual Impairments
For people with visual impairments we will explain the steps very clearly and
loud for them to be able to hear. We can also use physical guidance if necessary.
Hearing Impairments

By observing and watching people with hearing impairments will be able to
follow along by mimicking what the instructor does.
Physical Disabilities
People with physical disabilities will be able to relax and sit comfortably on the
mats and stretch out. They will have the option of sitting in a chair or staying in a
wheelchair if they use one
Cognitive Disabilities
We will clearly explain the steps for each pose and will be able to answer any
questions that arise.
e. Program monitoring
At various times, an inclusion specialist employed by the youth bureau would be
asked to come in and check on the program and make sure that everything is being
facilitated properly and that inclusion is successful. The inclusion specialist will also
report about the yoga teacher and if they are doing a good job running the program.
Yoga instructor will be certified and will not require much monitoring.
10. Evaluation
a. Instruments and processes for data collection and analysis
We will evaluate the program through an evaluation form that all participants will be
asked to complete at the end of the program. There will also be a parent/guardian
evaluation form for each participant’s parent/guardian to fill out. Both forms are
attached.
b. Methods and sources for dissemination – with whom will you share the
results? How will the results be shared?
The information collected from the evaluations will be shared with parents after the
results are complied. They will be available for pick up at the Racker Center, YMCA,
and Ithaca Youth Bureau. Depending on the results, we plan to publish an article
discussing the benefits of inclusive yoga programming and the benefits we observed.

Proposal
Bibliography
Heyne, L. (2009). “Inclusive community leisure services syllabus.”
Pizer, A. (n.d.). What are the Health Benefits . In Benefits of Yoga . Retrieved September 8, 2008,
from http://yoga.about.com/od/beginningyoga/a/benefits.htm
May All Be Happy. (2008). "Wheelchair Yoga” Web. 10 Dec. 2009.
http://mayallbehappy.org/wheelchair-yoga/
Registration Forms
Anderson, L., & Kress, C. B. (2003). Inclusion: Including People with Disabilties in Parks and
Recreation Opportunities . State College, PA: Venture Publishing Inc.
Registration Form. (n.d.). Wilderness Inquiry.
http://www.wildernessinquiry.org/
APPENDIX A

Name _____________________
Date of Birth ___________________
Gender (please circle) Female Male
Yoga for All Registration Form
Please rate your upper body strength from 1-5 with 1 being not very strong and 5 being very strong
1 2 3 4 5
Can you stand without support? Yes No
Rate your flexibility from 1-5 with 1 being not very strong and 5 being very strong
1 2 3 4 5
Please rate your general physical fitness level from 1-5 with 1 being not very strong and 5 being very
strong
Do you take any medications? Yes No
1 2 3 4 5
Do you have any sensory, physical, cognitive or emotional disabilities? (please circle)
Yes No
If yes please list them and state how they affect you
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________

Do you use any assistive devices? If yes please list them below
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________
Please circle any of the following that you have experienced:
Arthritis
Acid reflux
Asthma
Developmental disabilities
Diabetes
Head injury
Incontinence
Mental illness
Seizure
Stroke
Do you have health insurance? Yes No
If so, what is the policy number _______________________________
Emergency contact info
Name ______________________
Relationship to participant __________________
Address __________________________
Phone _____________________

Today's Date_____________
What do you like about yoga class?
What do you dislike about yoga class?
Did the staff create a positive experience for you?
APPENDIX B
Yoga for All Evaluation Form
Is the instructor clear in giving instructions and demonstrating poses during class?
Do you feel challenged physically in class? Do you feel like physical ability has improved for you
personally?
What would you add to the class that would make it a more positive experience?
What, if anything, would you change about the class?

If there was one thing you would like to see in class whether it is a specific pose or exercise; a routine or
instruction, what would it be?
Please list three things you learned in this class:
1.
2.
3.
Do you feel that you made new friends through this program?
Do you feel like your flexibility has improved?
Not at all A little Somewhat A lot
Do you feel like your strength has improved?
Not at all A little Somewhat A lot
Do you feel like your balance has improved?
Not at all A little Somewhat A lot
Do you feel like your stamina has improved?
Not at all A little Somewhat A lot

Do you feel like your muscle strength has improved?
Not at all A little Somewhat A lot
Additional Comments:
Thank you for your feedback!

Today's Date_____________
APPENDIX C
Yoga for All Evaluation Form
(Parent/Guardian)
Do you feel that this program was beneficial to your child? (Please Circle)
What do you feel worked well?
If anything, what do you feel did not work?
Please provide any suggestion for improvement:
YES NO
Thank you!