A life shaped by yoga from the beginning.
Renata began practicing yoga with her mother, Sonia Sumar, when she was only three years old. As a child, she took part in many yoga courses and conventions with Sonia.
At twelve, Renata began her first Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Program at Brazil’s Federal University at Minas Gerais. By fifteen, she had completed the training and begun teaching Hatha Yoga herself.
Teaching focus
Renata’s teaching is deeply rooted in alignment, but not in the traditional “everyone must look the same” way. Her focus is personal alignment: helping each student find the version of the pose that works with their own body, ability, and mobility.
She teaches students to understand what each posture is meant to awaken, how it should feel when it is working well, and how to adapt through body awareness, breath, and clear attention. Her work is also informed by anatomy, neurology, physics, and physiology.
Her goal is to inspire each student to use their abilities to their fullest potential.
Path and training
These key moments show how Renata’s personal practice, professional training, and service through Yoga for All Abilities developed over time.
1982-1985
At twelve, Renata began her first Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Program at Brazil’s Federal University at Minas Gerais. By fifteen, she had completed the training and begun teaching Hatha Yoga herself.
1989
Completed the Teacher Training Program for Yoga for The Special Child.
1990-1991
Met Sri Swami Satchidananda during his visit to Sonia Sumar’s Yoga Center in Brazil, then went to Satchidananda Ashram in Virginia.
1994
Received her university diploma in Speech Therapy. Her thesis, “Yoga as a Method of Global Stimulation for Children with Down Syndrome,” was based on original research showing yoga as an effective method for stimulating development in children with Down Syndrome.
1995
Spent seven months at Satchidananda Ashram in Virginia, where she worked closely with Param five times per week and continued learning through direct experience. During this period, she observed OT, PT, and SLP therapy sessions, visited UVA, and completed observation hours at Richmond Cerebral Palsy Center and the UVA Audiology Clinic.
1995-1997
Completed a two-year postgraduate specialization in Language Disorders through CEFAC in Brazil, deepening her clinical understanding of communication, learning, and development.
1998-2007
Taught classes, trainings, and workshops at the Yoga Center in Brazil, where she served as director and helped support the daily work of the method.
2007-NOW
Moved to the United States with her family and continued teaching, organizing programs, and helping carry the Sonia Sumar Method forward alongside Sonia Sumar.
2024-2025
Stepped into legal ownership of Yoga for All Abilities, while continuing to honor Sonia Sumar as founder and an active guiding presence in the work.
Renata’s work today
Renata teaches across the Yoga for All Abilities pathway and helps hold the practical organization of the work across programs, countries, teachers, coordinators, and students.
Renata is connected with the Yoga Alliance, the International Association of Yoga Therapy, and Integral Yoga Teachers Association.
Certification programs
Renata teaches Part 1 and Part 2 of the Yoga for All Abilities certification pathway.
Continuing education
She teaches CPD programs and supports practitioners who are applying the method with real students.
Hatha teacher training
Renata teaches Hatha Teacher Training at the 200H and 300H levels.
