Cultivating Joy with Colton and Emily: Putting Disability Employment Into Practice

October was National Disability Employment Awareness Month, a time to recognize the contributions of people with disabilities to the workforce and economy, but the impact of inclusive workplaces continues year-round. We take that very seriously here at Open Up. Not only do we provide yoga and mindfulness classes to those living with disabilities, but we also strive to give everyone a chance at employment too. 

Did you know that we have two yoga teachers living with Down Syndrome? You can find Emily and Colton in the studio every Monday for their 1:00 class, Yoga and Improv with Emily & Colton. We talked to both of them about working here and what they do with their time away from the studio.

Emily became a certified yoga teacher in 2022 through Open Up’s RYT 200. After going through the training with her mom, Dori, Emily became an Education Lead shortly after. Coming to one of Emily’s yoga classes will find you going through yoga poses that she hand-picks prior to class. The whole process of planning and teaching are what she loves best about her job. She told us that the poses and stretches, as well as having her students listening to her are why she wanted to do this. Her favorite part is the way it makes her feel - happy, strong, and empowered. Most importantly, she wants you to have as much fun as she is having. When she’s away from the “office”, Emily enjoys shopping, dancing to Taylor Swift and Garth Brooks, and swimming!

Colton has been with Open Up in a few roles, first as our Welcome Director and now as an Education Lead. He completed his Open Up Yoga Teacher certification with our 2024 cohort. He decided to become a yoga teacher because of his love of poses, especially airplane pose. He enjoys movement and turning his body into different shapes and poses during class. During Monday class, Colton is in charge of the improv portion because of his love of acting and watching The Wiggles. He sees teaching as a form of performing. When not at Open Up, Colton also works at Kennywood, participates in activities with The Friendship CIrcle, and spends time with his family. A favorite is vacationing with his cousins while searching for mermaids!

We would love for you to come to the Open Up studio to meet Colton and Emily! They are here every Monday for class at 1:00 p.m. You can register for a free class. Emily and Colton can’t wait to see you!