From Heart to Hands: The Art of Adjustments

20-Hour Hands-On Training for Yoga & Movement Teachers

With ellie cooper & mari colbert

September 25th-27th, 2026

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HANDS ON ASSISTS YOGA TEACHER TRAINING CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZELAND
yoga teacher training christchurch 2026 - hands on adjustments

Our ethos

Hands-on assisting is more than technique alone. At its most meaningful, it becomes a quiet form of communication — an offering of support, presence and deeper connection within a student’s practice.

This training is designed to help yoga teachers approach assisting with greater sensitivity, confidence and care. Together we’ll explore the art of observation, consent-led touch, body reading through an anatomical lens, and the subtle ways an assist can help a student feel more grounded, supported and at ease within themselves and within your class.

A weekend immersion for yoga teachers wanting to develop greater confidence, clarity and sensitivity when offering hands-on assists within a modern yoga space.

There is a quiet language within the body- one that speaks through breath, sensation, and subtle response.

To offer hands-on adjustments is to step into that conversation. Not to fix, but to listen. Not to impose, but to support.

    • Lead by Ellie Cooper (500-RYT) and Mari Colbert (500-RYT)

    • Dates: Friday 25- Sunday 27 September 2026

    • Duration: 20 hours (in-person training)

    • Location: Kula Studio — 14/22 Welles Street, Christchurch Central

    • Format: In-person training for yoga + pilates teachers & dedicated students

    • Spots: Limited to 16 spaces to keep the training intimate & experiential

  • This training is for teachers who want to elevate their classes- creating spaces where students not only move well, but feel met, supported, and more connected to their own bodies.

    Suitable for yoga teachers and movement practitioners alike.

    • 20hr certification

    • printed manual

    • practice labs

    • mentoring

    • tea/snacks

    • small group environment

  • From Heart to Hands is a 20-hour immersive training designed for yoga and movement teachers who want to deepen their understanding of touch as both a skill and a practice.

    Blending practical hands-on techniques with a more intuitive and embodied approach, this training is designed to help you build confidence while refining your ability to observe, read and respond to the bodies in front of you with greater sensitivity and care.

    Throughout the weekend, we’ll explore:

    • The art and ethics of touch

    • Consent-led and trauma-aware approaches to assisting

    • Developing observation skills and body reading

    • Understanding when to assist — and when not to

    • Functional movement principles within adjustments

    • How to offer support without overriding a student’s experience

    • Verbal vs physical cueing

    • Assisting standing, seated and restorative postures

    • Nervous system awareness and student experience

    • Teacher presence, confidence and communication

    • How hands-on assists can help students feel more grounded, supported and connected within a group class

    Expect a balance of hands-on practice, guided learning and shared exploration, all held within an intimate small-group environment.

  • Friday 1pm-8pm
    1:00pm - 3:00pm
    Introduction + opening practice

    3:00pm -5:00pm
    The foundations of hands-on assisting
    Consent, ethics, observation & body reading

    5:00-5.30pm
    Break/Dinner

    6:00pm-7:00pm
    Foundations of Skillful Touch

    7:00pm-8:00pm
    Somatic Touch Exploration Lab

    Saturday | 11:00am – 7:00pm

    11:00am – 12:15pm
    Arrival, grounding practice & opening discussion

    12:15pm – 1:45pm
    Body reading + different types of adjustments and support within a group class

    1:45pm – 2:30pm
    Lunch break

    2:30pm – 4:30pm
    Assisting lab
    Standing postures, transitions & functional support techniques

    4:30pm – 5:00pm
    Tea break & integration


    5:00pm – 7:00pm
    Partner practice, FAQ + feedback

    Sunday | 11:00am – 6:00pm

    11:00am – 12:15pm
    Morning practice & nervous system awareness

    12:15pm – 1:45pm
    Trauma-aware assisting & the language of touch

    1:45pm – 2:30pm
    Lunch break

    2:30pm – 4:30pm
    Assisting lab
    Seated, restorative & intuitive support techniques

    4:30pm – 5:00pm
    Tea break & integration

    5:00pm – 7:00pm
    Teaching practice, group discussion & closing circle

  • Investment:

    • Early Bird: $599

    • Standard Rate: $699

    • Deposit: $250 (required to secure your place)

    • Payment plans are available — please email info@kulastudionz.co.nz to set one up.

    • Click Enrol Here to complete your registration or Email us at info@kulastudionz.co.nz

    • You’ll receive an email with instructions for payments and payment plan options.

    • Once your deposit has been received you’ll receive a confirmation email with training details, what to bring, and how to prepare.

  • Kula Studio is located in the heart of Christchurch at 14/22 Welles Street, with plenty of nearby cafés, parking options, and access to public transport.

    Our light-filled studio has dedicated spaces for movement, rest, and connection, creating a supportive environment for immersive training.

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This training is intentionally intimate to allow time for practice, questions, feedback and integration.
Our goal is not simply to teach “how” to assist, but to help you cultivate the discernment, sensitivity and confidence to offer touch in a way that feels deeply respectful, supportive and embodied.