Dharma Care Institute

Yoga Therapy for Real-World Care Work

Supporting care workers and guiding yoga practitioners into real-world care

Understanding stress, behavior, and human complexity—
in environments where it actually matters

Who this is for:

  • direct support professionals (DSPs) and caregivers

  • people working in disability or social service settings

  • yoga teachers and practitioners who feel called toward care work

Why we’re here:

Dharma Care Institute is an applied space at the intersection of:

  • yoga therapy

  • nervous system awareness

  • behavior understanding

  • and real-world care environments

This work exists because there is a gap between:

what is taught in wellness spaces
and
what is required in care settings

Two Pathways

Nervous System Support Sessions

Direct Support Readiness (12-Week Program — Coming Soon)

A grounded training for yoga practitioners entering care environments

1:1 sessions for care workers navigating stress, behavior, and real situations

These sessions are for people working in care environments who want a clearer way to understand stress, behavior, and real situations in their work.

We will focus on one or two real scenarios and simplify what’s happening, so you can respond with more clarity and less overwhelm.

Rather than therapy or crisis support, this is offered as
grounded, practical support for real-world care work.

Embodied DEIB for Yoga Teacher Trainings

A grounded approach to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging— rooted in lived experience, relational awareness, and embodied practice.

What this is:

This offering supports yoga teacher trainings in moving beyond:

  • performative inclusion

  • conceptual discussions

  • surface-level frameworks

and toward: embodied understanding of difference, power, and relationship

What we explore:

  • how nervous systems are shaped by experience and environment

  • how behavior and communication are interpreted differently across identities

  • how power and perception show up in teaching spaces

  • how to respond with awareness rather than reactivity

Format:

  • guest module for YTT programs

  • workshop or series

  • adaptable to program structure

This training has been offered to many yoga teacher, yoga therapy & ayurveda trainings over the years. I would be thrilled to support your cohort!

Rates are discussion based.

Join us for Yoga

Mantra & Yoga Nidra

Sundays 6pm CST on Zoom

A quiet practice combining simple mantra and guided rest (yoga nidra) to help your nervous system downshift.

We begin with gentle sound or breath, then move into deep rest.

No experience needed.

Drop-in: $18 Per Class

OR

All Classes: $35 Monthly Option: Register via Venmo @zaria_rochester and you will receive your link

Integrative Yoga

Wednesdays 6pm CST on Zoom

A slow, grounded class focused on helping you reconnect with your body and settle your nervous system.

We move gently, pause often, and focus on what’s actually happening rather than doing things perfectly.

This is a low-pressure space to recalibrate.

Practical Care for Real Environments

✳︎

Yoga Therapy

✳︎

Direct Care Workers

✳︎

Nervous System Support

✳︎

Yoga in Care

*

Practical Care for Real Environments ✳︎ Yoga Therapy ✳︎ Direct Care Workers ✳︎ Nervous System Support ✳︎ Yoga in Care *

Planting Seeds…

Looking Ahead

This work is part of a larger vision.

Over time, Dharma Care Institute will offer a structured training pathway that bridges:

  • yoga teacher training

  • yoga therapy

  • and real-world care and social service environments

The goal is to support practitioners in developing the clarity, skill, and grounded understanding needed to work responsibly within care systems.

This is currently unfolding and will be developed with care, precision, and real-world experience.

Meet our Founder & Director | Zaria Rochester

Zaria Rochester is an E-RYT 500, Certified Yoga Therapist and Supported Living Coordinator working within disability services.

With a history in the labor movement and nonprofit leadership and engagement in disability studies and conscious advocacy, her work focuses on helping people understand behavior and stress in real-world care environments through a grounded, applied lens.

Get In Touch

If you're interested in working with us, complete the form with a few details about your interests. We'll review your message and get back to you within 48 hours.