Why Adaptive Yoga?
"Adaptive Yoga is a holistic practice that benefits everybody, especially those living with movement disorders."
Every class is packed full of
Jennifer Jayanti Atkins - Founder
Adaptive Yoga Specialist
For over 25 years I've gained knowledge and experience teaching and living yoga, the last 13 of those specializing in adapting yoga and functional movement for various populations.
Over the years I've developed an innovative system that provides holistic support for people living with movement disorders.
For over 9 years, I created and led classes for; the Parkinson's Association of the Rockies (PAR), the City of Fort Collins Adaptive Recreation Opportunities (ARO) Dept. and the Brain Injury Alliance of Colorado (BIAC).
Today, I am involved in exciting yoga research with the CSU School of Occupational Therapy and have many student interns from CSU and CU Boulder assisting me in my programs.
I am honored to be partnered with The Brain Health Center of the Rockies, The Columbine Center for Healthy Aging, and the RAC Wellness Project.
Body Awareness
I am also a trained & certified end of life doula CEOLD supporting people and their loved ones through the end of life transition process.
In 1992 I earned my degree in Kinesiology/Integrative Physiology at CU Boulder.
Through the '90's I worked on cruise ships as the Sports & Fitness Coordinator, as a Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor in various health clubs, and as a Rec Therapist at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.
I finally discovered yoga in my mid-twenties and in 1999 became certified YTT through the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health, and in 2000 I studied and deepened my yoga practice at the Himalayan Institute.
In my 54 years, I have traveled widely, raised two special needs kids as a single parent, presented in trainings and workshops and completed more than 300 hours of Advanced Yoga Teacher credentials (C-YTT 500).
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My passion is to help people live well - in body, mind and spirit. I believe anything is possible and my clients prove this every day.
Shari Schwarz - Certified Yoga Therapist
Adaptive Yoga Specialist
Shari Schwarz is a Yoga Therapist C-IAYT and an Adaptive Yoga Specialist teaching group classes and one-on-one sessions with people with neurological disorders and movement limitations.
She is passionate about helping you find the wholeness within yourself and adapting yoga to keep you moving functionally and live your best life!
Shari also works with people to help relieve chronic pain and process grief through mindfulness, breathwork, Pain Reprocessing Therapy, and Gentle Somatic Yoga.
These techniques retrain the brain-to-body or mind-to-body connection and help relieve or erase chronically held tension and pain.
Shari is also a mother of four boys, and she loves to travel, hike, backpack, kayak and teach yoga outdoors!
The AYS Assistant Team
AYS Assistants are an incredible group of motivated and compassionate beings who volunteer their time to support our amazing community of people living with movement disorders.
Graduate students in the CSU Occupational Therapy program and undergraduates in the Integrative Physiology school at CU Boulder make up the majority of this amazing team. Many are going on to PT, OT, PA, nursing and other medical professions.
Each assistant has been trained by Jennifer Atkins and veteran AYS Assistants, and ongoing training is a requirement of all team members.
Ensuring the safety and well-being of each participant, they provide virtual support using private Breakout Rooms during class as needed.
Not only is the Assistant Team enhancing the quality and safety of our classes, we also offer a number of outreach programs. Consider joining our team! Click below to know more.
