As we hit the ground running in 2026, we are taking a moment to think about the changes we embedded last year. Our mission has always been simple: to improve people’s health and well-being through accessible, inclusive group yoga sessions. But in the last 12 months, we made some real progress – and change – in how we achieve that mission. 

Growing Our Roots in Kirklees

For five years, we have been dedicated to our community in Kirklees. In our very first year, we led 50 sessions. In 2025 we led over 1000 yoga sessions, (read the summary HERE) and asked ourselves the question – How can we use what we’ve learned to have an even greater impact? The answer? Training, workshops, and collaboration.

“Great teachers and a really enjoyable workshop. I learned new skills and practices for myself and my clients which were very practical and accessible. I highly recommend this workshop for anyone working with people with learning disabilities, dementia, anxiety, trauma and mental health. Thank you!!” Participant in the 2025 Introducing the Principles of Yoga Workshop.

Two New Programs to Expand Accessible Yoga

We’ve reached a lot of people in Kirklees – but there are so many more, living in West Yorkshire and beyond, who could benefit from an inclusive approach to movement and mindfulness. That’s why we launched two training courses designed to develop people’s skills and confidence to practice and teach accessible yoga.

Teaching Yoga to Adults with Learning Disabilities

This 30-hour course is for yoga teachers who want to deepen their understanding of populations with additional needs. We led the first cohort in June 2025, with two in-person teaching weekends held in Slaithwaite (West Yorkshire).

The Goal: To give teachers the techniques, knowledge and confidence to make their classes more inclusive and have an impact on the diverse people they support. It’s an opportunity to develop skills that are profoundly needed in our industry.

Focus Areas: 

• Adults with learning disabilities: social context, communication, and deeper dives into working with individuals with Autism, Down Syndrome, and Cerebral Palsy.
• Sensory world: how to adapt, acknowledge, and celebrate sensory differences.
• Mental health: in general, and in the context of neurodiversities.
• Physical practice: adapting to various needs and abilities
• Practicalities of teaching: planning classes, running a business.

“The content was both thought-provoking and insightful, helping me to view yoga through the lens of individuals who may often be excluded from traditional classes. It challenged me to consider new ways of adapting my teaching to ensure yoga is genuinely accessible and inclusive for all members of the community.” Penny – trainee in 2025.

A highlight of the course was seeing our volunteers with learning disabilities excel at supporting the training team by joining in our group yoga practice, and sharing their experiences of yoga. At Umbrella Yoga we involve our members in our training programs, with people who regularly attend classes at Waves coming to take part in the sessions. I’d like to step back and congratulate this small team of volunteers – it’s not easy to come to a room full of people and demonstrate, speak, and share you story. We’re really grateful, and so proud, of Sarah, Casey, Arjun and Jack for their contribution.

“It was wonderful to meet, and learn from, some of the regular Waves Group yogis. They confidently joined in a session. Their obvious passion for the practice, and pride in leading some of the postures, was testament to the impact that inclusive yoga can have for each and everyone of us.” Pollyanna – trainee in 2025.

The 2026 course starts in February, and final spots on the course are still up for grabs!  Dates, information and booking HERE. If you can’t make it, join the waiting list for the 2027 cohort and be the first to know when Early Bird bookings are released.

Breathe, Move, Connect: Introducing the Principles of Yoga.

Our second program is a unique workshop designed for carers, healthcare professionals and people working in social care. 

“Transformational. This has opened a new way of using yoga – breathing, movement and connection – in my work. Thank you so much.”

The goal: to introduce them to the principles of yoga so they can immediately begin using these techniques and ideas to improve the health outcomes of the people they support (and themselves!).

Focus areas: Theory and practical skills on the three pillars that form the foundation of our accessible practice at Umbrella Yoga: Breathe, Move, Connect. Participants learn why and how to use yoga techniques independently, and in partnership with people they support.

We ran three successful workshops this year, and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. 

“Brilliant. Knowledgeable teachers, which also made it fun”.

The 2026 workshop dates and bookings have gone live now – with the Early Bird cost available until the end of February. Info and bookings HERE. 

Building a Network of Professionals

To truly bring all this knowledge and opportunity together, we’ve created the Umbrella Yoga Professionals Network.

The purpose of the network is clear: to enable yoga teachers and professionals to share skills, enhance knowledge, and support one another. Anyone who has completed a course or workshop with us will have FREE access to ALL the meetings. People who are interested in a focus topic will be able to purchase a ticket to that meeting.

Our first meeting in December 2025 was a resounding success, bringing together a diverse group of yoga teachers, healthcare practitioners, and people with lived experience. This cross-pollination of expertise is exactly how we foster real change.

Join Us at Our Next Network Meeting

Our next meeting is scheduled for Thursday 5th March 2026, featuring a truly inspiring session.

Julio D’Escrivan, a yoga teacher with extensive experience and great depth of knowledge, will share his personal journey of living with Parkinson’s and how he uses movement, yoga, and exercise to manage the symptoms of his condition.

Get your tickets to join us HERE. 

We are excited about what 2026 will bring and look forward to continuing this journey of making yoga accessible with you.