Learn with us

A group of children and a woman, all wearing headphones, outdoors on a sunny day. The woman is smiling and taking a selfie, with children posing behind her, some smiling, some with playful expressions, and a few making peace signs or other gestures.

Our two-step pathway begins with FOUNDATIONS:
Learn the method with our self-paced online program.
Then continue with our embodied leadership certified FACILITATION training‍,
offered online or in-person.

Develop the skills to create environments where every body can move freely, authentically, and experience their unique dance.

PURCHASE FOUNDATIONS HERE

  • This training can enhance and expand the work of:

    • Movement facilitators (yoga, choreographed dance, conscious dance, and ecstatic dance)
      • Healthcare professionals working in outreach settings (counsellors, social workers, therapists, doctors, and nurses)
      • Outdoor leadership facilitators
      • Teachers
      • Artists
      • Family members who want to support a loved one
      • Volunteers and anyone who loves to dance

  • STEP 1 — FOUNDATIONS

    What it is:
    A self-paced online course introducing the Dance Your Ability method, including its structure, philosophy, and energetics.

    What’s included:

    • 8 self-paced modules (60-90 minutes each: videos, reading, and assignments.)

    • DYA class structure and delivery format

    • Trauma-aware language and facilitation principles

    • Science + spirit of expressive group dance

    • Practical frameworks for inclusive sessions (all ages and abilities)

    • Downloadable resources and playlists

    • Lifetime access to curriculum (videos, articles, assignments)

    Outcomes:
    Prepares you for FACILITATION training and deepens your understanding of inclusive movement in your area of work.

    Fees:
    $300 CAD (approx: £165 / $220 USD / €185)

    PURCHASE HERE

  • STEP 2 — FACILITATION (after completing FOUNDATIONS)

    What it is?
    A 14-hour certification training focused on leading Dance Your Ability sessions with clarity, confidence, and embodied leadership.

    Choose your format:

    • Online Training or

    • In-Person Training

    What’s included:

    • Implementation of DYA facilitation principles

    • Development of authentic facilitation voice

    • Designing and leading short sessions

    • Live facilitation labs with real-time feedback

    • Inclusive, trauma-aware language training

    • Creating warm, inviting brave spaces

    • Dyads and small group practice

    • Feedback and integration

    • Lifetime access to additional resources

    • Certification


    Fees:

    • In-Person: $375 CAD / £200

    • Online: $275 CAD / £150 / $200 USD / €170

    Important Notes:

    • FOUNDATIONS is a prerequisite - Assignments will need to be included in your application

    • Small group trainings with limited spaces

    • Applications open August 1st 2026

  • In-Person Training Dates 2026 + 2027
    Includes 2 full days, 9:00am-5:00pm:

    • October 10 + 11 | London, Hammersmith UK (The Study Society)

    • November 14 + 15 | Victoria, BC Canada (Location TBD)

    • March 6 + 7 | Vancouver, BC Canada (Ballet BC)

    • March 13 + 14 | Toronto, ON Canada (Location TBD)

    Online Training Dates 2026 + 2027
    Includes 4 Zoom Sessions:

    • October 24 + 31, and November 7 + 14

    • February 13, 20, 27 and March 6

    • Start times: 9:00am PDT | 12:00pm EST | 5:00pm GMT

      Applications open August 1, 2026. More details coming soon.

  • If you don’t find what you need, please contact us at: info@danceyourability.com

    FAQ Dance Your Ability Training

    Do I have to take Foundations first?
    Yes. Foundations is required before joining Facilitation.

    What if I’m not sure I want to facilitate yet?
    You can take Foundations on its own, it is a complete learning experience, and you are not required to continue to Facilitation.

    What is the difference between Foundations and Facilitation?
    Foundations teaches the method and structure.
    Facilitation focuses on leading sessions, practicing, and receiving feedback.

    I feel nervous about leading. Is this program suitable for beginners?
    Yes. The progression is designed to build confidence gradually. You are not expected to arrive with facilitation experience.

    How much time should I expect to commit for Foundations?
    There are 10 hours of core modules, plus optional time for reflection and integration.

    What equipment do I need to attend the online courses?
    A computer that can stream a video and/or take a conference call. A quiet place to watch the videos and pen/paper if you are taking notes.

    Do I have to choose online or in-person for Facilitation right away?
    No. You can decide after completing Foundations.

    How much experience do I need to join Facilitation?
    Completion of Foundations and a commitment to creating inclusive and warm spaces are the only requirement. No prior teaching experience is required.

    Is Facilitation online the same as in-person?
    The core learning is consistent.
    In-person includes physical presence and group dynamics.
    Online includes structured sessions and practice in a virtual format.

    Will I actually practice facilitating?
    Yes. Facilitation includes practice sessions, labs, and feedback.

    Will I receive feedback on my facilitation?
    Yes. You will receive real-time feedback and a reflection from lead instructors.

    What if I feel anxious about being observed or evaluated?
    The training is structured to be supportive, gradual, and trauma aware. Participation builds over time.

    Are the Facilitation groups large?
    No. Facilitation trainings are small to allow for individual attention.

    What happens if I complete Foundations but delay Facilitation?
    You can join a later Facilitation training. There is no immediate deadline, and we offer ongoing trainings.

    How long do I have access to the materials?
    Lifetime access is included for both Foundations and Facilitation resources.

    Can I take Facilitation fully online without attending in person?
    Yes. Online Facilitation is a complete option.

    What if I still feel unsure after reading everything?
    The first step (Foundations) is designed to help you determine whether you want to continue. Please feel free to reach out with your questions.

PURCHASE FOUNDATIONS HERE
A group of diverse people age 6 to elderly are standing in a circle indoors, participating in a movement activity, with some extending their hands towards the center.
Three women in a room with a light-colored wall and a green curtain, engaging in an activity involving a pink fabric ribbon.
An elderly man sitting on a chair with moving to the music with a bright scarf. A joyful photo.
Group of children standing barefoot in a circle outdoors, all looking down at the ground.

What People Are Saying

“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

“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’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

Group of seniors sitting together, engaging in conversation in a cozy room with sunlight coming through the window, some smiling and others listening attentively.
Kids playing and dancing on the floor in a classroom.
A group of seniors sitting in a circle in a community room with yellow walls, some holding drinks and engaged in a social activity.
An elderly man in a wheelchair and a young woman smiling, with the man holding colorful ribbons, in an outdoor park setting.
A smiling elderly gent in a wheelchair, wearing a black jacket, blue jeans, and a cap with headphones, outdoors with children in the background.
Women dancing in a bright room with wooden floors, large windows, and an overhead exit sign. A computer monitor displaying a video conference is visible on the right side.
A group of people participating in a seated exercise class, following an instructor at the front of the room, with chairs arranged in a circle and some chairs holding personal belongings.
Two children playing outdoors in a wooded area, with one girl with long curly hair wearing a red and black plaid jacket and biking helmet, smiling as she faces a boy with long blond hair in a striped sweater and pants, who is reaching up toward a red
A woman smiling and holding a small pink and purple object in a room with elderly people, some in wheelchairs, and various colorful blankets and furniture.
A group of seniors participating in a community event at the James Bay Community Project, sitting in a semi-circle and holding colorful balloons or scarves, with a banner and sunny windows in the background.
Three elderly men sitting on chairs are participating in a game, each holding a colorful piece of cloth or plastic. The man in the middle appears to be excited or celebrating, with arms raised holding a red cloth, while the other two men hold blue an
Three people on a wooden deck outdoors, one wearing headphones and holding ribbons, two others laughing and leaning forward, with a lake and autumn trees in the background.
An elderly woman with white hair, wearing a headband and a light blue top, smiling and passing a yellow gift bag across a wooden table. She's wearing bracelets on her right wrist and a cross necklace. There is a woman with long gray hair in a wheelch
People dancing with colorful scarves in an indoor room.
Two people are dancing or celebrating indoors; a man with a T-shirt and a woman with short hair, glasses, and a plaid shirt. Both have one arm raised and are smiling.
A young girl with curly hair wearing a pink headband, pink shirt, and pink pants is outdoors in a park, tossing a colorful rainbow ribbon in the air while wearing large black headphones.
Two young men are playing with colorful streamers in an indoor room, with posters and drawings on the wall behind them.
An elderly woman with gray hair dancing or moving to music in a room with chairs, windows, and other seniors, some wearing masks, and a walker in the background.
Three smiling people with headphones and hats taking a selfie outdoors in a sunny park with trees in the background.
People dancing and enjoying themselves at an indoor party or dance event in a room with wooden floors, high windows, and dim lighting.
A girl with long blonde hair wearing a blue jacket, maroon pants, and headphones, running barefoot through a grassy area near a lake, holding onto a long ribbon.
A man with gray hair and beard, sitting cross-legged on the floor, smiling and holding up his hands, surrounded by others lying on pillows for a meditation or yoga session in a cozy room.
A child with glasses wearing a striped hat, purple and grey hoodie, and a green vest is hugging a large tree in a forest, with their hands on the bark and their face close to the tree.
Group of people practicing movement exercises on grass in a park during daytime, with trees in the background.
Group of people celebrating with one woman in a wheelchair with a flower crown, smiling, surrounded by friends in a room with wooden floors and bright lighting.
A woman smiling and dancing in a room with other women, some standing and some seated, in a social or recreational setting.
Four people outdoors on grass, two children and two adults, one of whom is in a wheelchair. The children are talking to the seated adult, who is smiling. The other adult is pushing the wheelchair. The scene is sunny with trees in the background.
Group of older women and a younger woman with glasses in a room, engaging in a cheerful activity involving colorful fabric or scarves, some women are seated and some are standing.
A man dancing with a red scarf with two elderly women sitting in chairs in a room with colorful curtains and decorations.
Group of children sitting in a circle with their legs extended inward, showing their bare feet.
Three people outdoors near a lake with trees and hills in the background, wearing headphones and dancing on grass.
A group of young men with headsets, headphones, and/or sunglasses, engaged in an outdoor movement activity on a sunny day with clear blue sky and green grass.
A person with dark hair and glasses practicing yoga or stretching on a wooden floor, with a child and another person nearby. The person is on hands and feet, in a plank or downward dog position. The child is lying on the floor underneath, and sunligh
Children in a classroom tossing colorful scarves in the air and laughing.
A group of elderly people in a common room of a care facility, sitting on chairs and wheelchairs, engaged in a social activity. A young man with a colorful scarf interacts with the residents, who appear to be enjoying a performance or celebration. Th

“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.

“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

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“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 Emirates

Group of 13 women smiling and celebrating outdoors in front of a wooden wall, some waving and holding flowers, one wearing a face mask.