DANCE YOUR ABILITY SCHOOL
A two-stage pathway: Learn the method. Then embody and facilitate it.
Learn the foundations of inclusive movement, then deepen into embodied leadership.
Develop the skills to create environments where every body can move freely and authentically.
Join our mission to create movement spaces where every body is seen,
celebrated, and free to express their unique dance.
TWO-STAGE PATHWAY BEGINS ONLINE WITH FOUNDATIONS.
Self-paced or join a group with live sessions.
FOUNDATIONS provides the essential learning, and for those who wish to develop facilitation skills, we offer small group immersions in the FACILITATION PATHWAY.
LEVEL ONE FOUNDATIONS
Learn the Dance Your Ability Format
FOUNDATIONS is a 4-week ONLINE immersion into the core structure, philosophy, and energetics of Dance Your Ability.
Participants receive:
Life time access to the curriculum
(Video lessons, articles, assignments, templates, and playlists)Clear breakdown of the DYA format
Language, framing, and trauma-aware considerations for a variety of populations
The science + spirit behind expressive free dance in a group setting
Practical structure for leading inclusive sessions
Downloadable teaching resources
Plus two live integration Zoom sessions
This level ensures that those continuing into the FACILITATION PATHWAY understand:The integrity of the method
The values of “unique and unified”
Safety, inclusion, and confidence-building principles
*This is the prerequisite for Level Two FACILITATION.
*Self-paced option available.
LEVEL TWO FACILITATION PATHWAY
Learn to Facilitate Dance Your Ability
FACILITATION PATHWAY is a 12 hour immersion: lead with heart-centred confidence, clarity, and embodied leadership.
Participants receive:
Life time access to more resources
Live facilitation labs with real-time feedback
An understanding of the core principles of DYA facilitation
Opportunities to design and lead short sessions
Language that is inclusive and empowering
An understanding of safety, scope, and trauma awareness
Space to begin developing their own authentic facilitation voice
One to one coaching session
This level the focus shifts from
Learning about the Dance Your Ability method → to How to hold sessions safely, confidently, and clearly.Experiential + Practical
Practice leading
Feedback + integration
*Must have completed FOUNDATIONS to attend.
*Small-group immersions with limited spots to ensure personalized attention.
This training can enhance and expand the work of:
Movement Facilitators - Yoga, Choreographed Dance, and Conscious Dance
Health Care Professionals working in Outreach Settings — Counsellors, Social Workers, Therapists, Doctors & Nurses
Outdoor Leadership Facilitators
Teachers
Artists
Family members looking to support a loved one
Volunteers and anyone who loves to dance!
DATES | TIMES | LOCATIONS
2026-2027
LEVEL ONE FOUNDATIONS
2026
September 5 – Access to curriculum opens
September 12 – Live Zoom with Alex Holloway
September 26 – Live Zoom with Shauna Devlin
9:00–10:30am PST | 12:00–1:30pm EST | 5:00–6:30pm GMT
2027
January 16 – Access to curriculum opens
January 23 – Live Zoom with Shauna Devlin
February 6 – Live Zoom with Alex Holloway
9:00–10:30am PST | 12:00–1:30pm EST | 5:00–6:30pm GMT
LEVEL TWO FACILITATION PATHWAY
2026
In-Person Immersion:
October 10–11 - London, UK The Study Society
October 24-25 - Salt Spring Island, BC Canada The Core Inn
Online Immersion:2 teaching calls + 2 Pod Practice Sessions:
October 24 – Live Zoom - 4 hrs with Shauna Devlin
October 31 – Live Zoom - 2 hrs with Pod
November 7 – Live Zoom - 4 hrs with Alex Holloway
November 14 – Live Zoom - 2 hrs with Pod
Start times: 9:00am PST | 12:00pm EST | 5:00pm GMT
2027
In-Person Immersion:
March 6-7 - Vancouver, BC Canada Location TBD
Online Immersion:2 teaching calls + 2 Pod Practice Sessions:
February 13 – Live Zoom - 4 hrs with Shauna Devlin
February 20 – Live Zoom - 2 hrs with Pod
February 27 – Live Zoom - 4 hrs with Alex Holloway
March 6 – Live Zoom - 2 hrs with Pod
Start times: 9:00am PST | 12:00pm EST | 5:00pm GMT
TUITION + PROGRAM FEES WILL BE UPDATED APRIL 1, 2026
*Partial scholarships will be available.
FOUNDATIONS OPENS SEPTEMBER 5, 2026 - Self-paced or with group
APPLICATIONS FOR FACILITATION PATHWAY OPEN MAY 1, 2026
*Limited spaces for the FACILITATION PATHWAY
“I’ve been dancing 5Rhythms for 30+ years and work as a support worker for people with physical & cognitive disabilities, and when I found Shauna & DYA, I knew had hit the jackpot!!! I immediately registered for the inaugural DYA training in 2019 and haven’t stopped moving since!”
-Jen Massie, Whitehorse, Yukon
“I felt called to step in and begin offering therapeutic dance and movement in my community and DYA was the Gateway for me to take the Leap!”
- Mary Lloyd, Victoria, BC
“Heart-Centered Facilitation, The presence of you (Shaune and Alex) was exceptional, your instructions and lead was kind, clear, and deeply authentic. You created an immediate sense of trust, safety and gentle kind belonging.”
“The DYA training offered me plenty of insights into working with a diverse range of populations. With a mixed approach including plenty of hands-on exercises, I was able to integrate many of the practices outlined throughout the facilitator training.”
- Lucia, Texada Island, BC
“I recently took the UK training in London with Alex and Shauna. Their absolute passion and devotion to the work is deeply moving and awe inspiring. I left with a heart blasted wide open excited to take this work into my community here in East Sussex! If you feel called to join the training - do it! Highly recommend. “
-Elena, UK
“My overall experience with the sessions and the agenda was incredibly positive and affirming. I must offer a special mention for the Manual. It is truly amazing, comprehensive, and such a valuable, deep resource for the training. The way it is structured—so professional and highly informative—makes it an indispensable tool. I anticipate using it consistently as a primary reference for my own preparations and future sessions. Thank you for providing such a well-crafted foundation for this work; it significantly enhances the learning and practical application.”
-Sasha, United Emitates
“This was an excellent short training course. Shauna and Alex are both such warm, experienced and inspiring facilitators. The quality of the materials and sessions were well-balanced - plenty of time to experience the DYA model, understand adaptations for different communities and time to practice facilitating in a supportive group setting. This was a great addition to my skillset as an Open Floor teacher, giving me confidence to take conscious dance into a wider range of communities and settings - this makes my heart sing! And for people newer to facilitating or dance it was an accessible introduction and gave a good grounding in the skills needed for this vital work
- Subhanaya, Open Floor teacher, Scotland.
