Radically inclusive Yoga for diverse bodies and Brains

TheraPLAYoga is changing the shape and vibe of yoga in Lansing- through trauma-sensitive, adaptive asana, social-consciousness, and creating affirming spaces where people of all ages with complex needs, diverse abilities and backgrounds can safely and autonomously explore health and wellness through yoga.

TheraPLAYoga is a radically inclusive virtual and mobile yoga studio offering therapeutic, playful yoga to children, teens, and adults.  Through an intersectional lens, TheraPLAYoga is a modality of accessible self-care and community care.

Specialized in empowering children and youth, who experience autism and other neurodiversities, physical, mental, and developmental disabilities, sensory processing disorder, health conditions, and trauma; safely and autonomously explore interoceptive awareness, sensory and self regulation, social emotional resilience, and compassion.

TheraPLAYoga also supports adults with disabilities and caregivers in tending to their nervous systems and exploring a peaceful pathway to parenting with compassion, intention and respect.  As well as welcome people (including pregnant people) of all ages, abilities, sizes, race, genders, and backgrounds; who experience limitations, chronic pain, and chronic stress.

Hello!  I’m Gloria.

I snap my neck to any variation of mom, but you can call me Glo.  My pronouns are she/her.  (That’s my genetic half, inspiration, and yoga model/assistant, Liam).

I’m an inclusion and compassion activist, full-time solo-mom/O.G. homeschooler  turned adaptive yoga teacher and heart-led entrepreneur.  I’m also a mindful parenting coach and certified Positive Discipline educator.

With social consciousness, my teaching and writing centers around the intersectionality of interoceptive awareness, sensory and self regulation, and social emotional resilience for children and youth who experience autism and other neurodiversities; physical, mental, and developmental disabilities, health conditions, and trauma.   As well as self-care and after-care for caregivers and families.  My passion and teaching also extends to adult individuals with complex needs and diverse abilities.

TheraPLAYoga was created from experiential wisdom, education, training, and a calling to create affirming and radically inclusive spaces for children, youth, and parent-carers.  What began long before any certifications- and continues, as daily deliberate practice for me and my son, is now my heart’s work I share with you!

Adaptive and accessible yoga is my thang! That’s why you’re here, right?

(link to read my bio and training)

Through therapeutic, playful yoga I ….

• assist kids teens, and adults in becoming their own best advocates by cultivating self-awareness, regulation, and resilience.
• help people safely and effectively manage stress and relieve chronic pain, who experience physical and developmental disabilities, neurodivergence, pain and limitations, and health conditions
• mentor yoga teachers  in creating safe, accessible, and equitable spaces
• coach discerning parents, who live on the edge of chaos and exhaustion, in building unshakable confidence in parenting with compassion, intention, and respect.
• teach doable yoga and mindfulness to all folx who hold self-limiting beliefs or experience gatekeeping.
• offer non-intimidating and accessible tools for explicit joy, empowerment, and resilience– and share them through group experiences, one on one, written articles, and social platforms.

Adaptive Yoga for Diverse Abilities

Inclusion, compassion, equity, and accessibility are key to TheraPLAYoga.  Everyone is welcome and invited to participate in practices.

Classes are not hierarchy based- separating people by ability (ie. advanced, intermediate, beginner).  Instead, classes are integrated with a positive and affirming focus on abilities NOT disabilities.  Pose possibilities are offered along with props and encouragement to explore what feels good to you in the moment.

Occasionally, classes and workshops will be directed toward a specific demographic of people.  I do this to offer a safe space to build community, connection and offer a specific educational intention.

Virtual + Mobile Yoga Studio in Lansing, MI

As a virtual and mobile yoga studio and private teacher, I can provide yoga for everybody, anywhere- home, school, work, community center, or park.  I can custom build workshops, 4-6+ week courses, one-time classes or events, parties, and video series to fit your unique needs.

• Pop-up yoga
• 1:1 and semi-private yoga
• Family Yoga
• Enrichment Programs
• Workplace Wellness
• Yoga Parties (for all ages + occasions)

I’m eager to collaborate with community minded folx for pop-up yoga events.

Benefits of TheraPLAYoga

Group and private practice can include aromatherapy, therapeutics, somatics, breathing, meditation, relaxation, anatomy, yoga philosophy, chakras, mudras, and poses- with a focus on the functionality of the form that feel best in your body.  TheraPLAYoga promotes sensory integrated fun while encouraging functional life skills for all ages and abilities.  Benefits of TheraPLAYoga include-

Methods + Techniques

Methods and techniques go beyond stretch-based bendy poses seen in many kids and adult yoga classes (and social media).  TheraPLAYoga is an eclectic blend of sensory-motor integration, yoga philosophy, neuroscience, playfulness, and my authentic experiences.  In addition, knowledge of contraindications, functional anatomy, biomechanics, and the use of intention-based pose possibilities and props to ensure an accessible, safe, holistic approach to awareness, regulation, and resilience.  For example-

I have a few ways for you to get involved!

• Private sessions, yoga enrichment,  yoga parties, and pop-up yoga
• Blog and social media content exploring wellness, science, and all things adaptive yoga
• Share this website with a friend
• Follow @TheraPLAYoga on Facebook or Instagram