TRAUMA INFORMED YOGA teacher training
Support your clients in moving beyond stress, grief, trauma and burnout with embodied awareness and evidence-based practices.
A weekend-long, in-person training aimed primarily at yoga teachers wishing to deepen their understanding of trauma, the evidence basis for using yoga and how to teach with trauma-impacted students.
This training is for you if…
You’re increasingly aware of the use of the word ‘trauma’ but are unsure what it means or how to work with it
You have clients who present with troubling emotions or histories, you know yoga will help them but you’re not sure which practices will best support their healing
You want to know more about the mind-body relationship, deepen your understanding of the evidence basis for yoga and gain the language to support you
You want to use your knowledge to help people feel safe in their minds and bodies
You want to up-level your skills as a yoga teacher with cutting edge neuroscience and somatic studies that are relevant to a broad range of user groups and communities
You want to build confidence and feel secure in what you’re teaching and why
You want to be mentored by an experienced teacher who has worked across a diversity of communities
Overview
Led by Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher, Yoga Scholar & Social Entrepreneur Ellie Grace, this training is informed by Ellie’s 10+ years study of yoga, mindfulness, somatics, neuroscience, psychotherapy, ecology, social entrepreneurship and yoga as a tool for social change.
Ellie holds an MA in Yoga Studies from LMU and has worked with private clients, war veterans, charities, schools, universities, medical students, frontline doctors, socially-minded organisations, corporates and studios to empower her clients through the lens of trauma-informed yoga practice.
organisations i’ve worked with
“Most of us have suffered some kind of trauma in our lives, and yet the word is only just beginning to be lifted of its taboo.
Anything that disrupts our sense of safety, self and belonging can be considered traumatic, whether that’s grief, illness or loss of any kind.
The goal of a trauma-sensitive yoga practice is to build self awareness and resilience and to nurture tools for self regulation so we can develop self esteem, take care of relationships and feel safe within ourselves. Numerous studies now show how trauma-sensitive yoga is a vital component of experiencing yoga.
I combine a heart-led approach and cutting-edge, evidence-based embodiment practices that have been the healing key on my own journey, and a vital part of how I guide others in their practice.”
Who is this training for?
This training is open primarily to 200-hour trained yoga teachers who wish to learn the science of trauma, the evidence basis for using yoga and teaching methodologies to safely and effectively teach students impacted by trauma.
This course is also suitable for Psychotherapists, Psychologists, Social Workers and Counsellors who are trained in yoga and who wish to integrate talking therapies with yoga practices. If you do not have a 200-hour teacher training qualification you are welcome to join the course though you would not be formally qualified to teach yoga without a 200-hour training.
COURSE CONTENTS
module 1 - what is trauma?
The science of trauma and how it affects the brain, the body, identity and behaviour
Understanding the mind-body connection, the nervous system, the HPA axis and Polyvagal Theory
module 2 - polyvagal theory & trauma in everyday life
How to recognise trauma and the range of traumatic responses in your students
The importance of social connection and safety in creating the conditions for healing
Emotional and psychological symptoms: the effects of trauma on voice, health, identity, emotions and relationships
The architecture of the brain and how trauma restructures the brain
The evolution of human brain development
Recognising how intergenerational trauma, epigenetics and psychoneuroimmunology play a part in human development
module 3 - why yoga for trauma?
East-West approaches to the body and why we synthesise the two
Aims of recovery from trauma and how yoga supports students in creating regulation, resourcefulness and resilience
Understanding proprioception, exteroception and interoception in the development of inner knowing and safety
Prioritising self awareness and compassion over physical form
Cultivating presence, tolerance and resilience
The effects of yoga on the brain
The evidence basis for how and why yoga supports the healing of trauma
Post-traumatic growth
module 4 - what to teach
The purpose of trauma informed yoga
Knowing the difference between which practices and styles to teach - and which not to
Knowing the difference between a regular yoga class and a therapeutic, trauma-informed one
The importance of creating purpose and intention in your classes
How to respond effectively to different trauma responses
Understanding the importance of choice and agency for your students
Approaches to breath-work
How to provide support and accountability to students
module 5 - how to teach
Understanding layout, lighting and demonstrations
Setting expectations for your students
Theming your classes
Creating a therapeutic presence by understanding voice, tone, sound, pacing, transitions, cues, touch, consent, eye contact and your own movement
Postures to avoid
How to adapt your teaching for 1:1 clients and groups
module 6 - self care & boundaries
Understanding your role - and its limitations
How to set boundaries that protect you and your students
Identifying how trauma can create attachment wounds that inform how you lead and show up in the space
Recognising archetypes in the student-teacher relationship and how to avoid ‘The Drama Triangle’
Knowing how to self-regulate and minimise burnout and vicarious trauma
Balancing productivity and rest
Self care recommendations
Valuing yourself and the work
Honouring cultural appropriation and knowing how to address the needs of different communities across varied spaces
Knowing how to present yourself and manage the space in higher risk settings
what else is included?
Course manual
Recommended further reading list
A study buddy to practice teaching with
3 hours of trauma informed yoga practice videos
A supportive group of like-minded yogis to learn with
DATES
7th & 8th December 2024
10am - 6pm
location
The Shala, 537 Norwood Road, West Norwood, London SE27
pricE
£395
testimonials
“Thank you so, so much, This course has wildly exceeded my expectations in how empowering and inspiring it has been to practically take our learning into the world. You talked a lot today about our great work but you are doing such amazing work and I wanted to thank you for it!”
“I’m so, so happy I’ve taken part in this course. Our supportive group provided a safe place to share doubts, experiences and dreams. Ellie is a natural teacher, passing information over with patience, clarity and detail. More importantly, she encouraged us along the way, giving us clear indications on how to use our passion and ideas. I come to the end of it with more questions than at the beginning (which is a good sign of learning!), the will and determination to learn always more, and the confidence that I have the tools to create something beautiful.”
“Ellie Grace from start to finish was absolutely fantastic. She created a welcoming environment on all our Zoom interactions and provided us with comfort and space when we were battling with our own challenges to be there. Ellie provided detailed resources in a variety of different mediums and gave further resources on our Facebook Members Page. Ellie is very knowledgeable and shared her experiences working within a variety of different group settings. I loved Ellie’s approach and ethics regarding her teachings and enjoyed the sense of community she created. I am very excited taking the knowledge gained on the course into my community.”
“The trauma-informed yoga mentorship with Ellie was such a special experience. Ellie brings so much warmth and enthusiasm to her teaching, and has a knack for being able to make the overwhelming topics feel accessible. I really loved that she also included modules for self-care and making money as yoga teachers, topics that aren’t spoken about near enough, and did so in an insightful and empowering way. I’m so grateful to Ellie for creating a cosy and supportive container for us all to pursue our unique paths together, and to feel confident to go out into the world and make a real impact with this important work!”
“I felt a spark deeply ignite inside as we engaged in the material on this course and learnt more about how trauma affects the mind and body and ways in which we can alleviate this. I am even more passionate now about taking this work into the community around me.
Ellie delivered the information in a loving and compassionate way, allowing us to pause and reflect or ask questions as they organically came up. Her knowledge and experience is what brings this course alive and the support of the group helps to make this a really special learning journey.
I thoroughly recommend taking part in this course if you have the opportunity and I can’t thank Ellie enough for sharing this with us all.”
“Ellie is a gifted teacher with an ability to guide through such an expansive topic with such depth and grace. This Trauma Informed Yoga course has really helped inform the direction of my continued studies.
Ellie’s training, teaching and expertise in this field has been deeply impactful and insightful. A fascinating course that felt like connecting the dots to see the picture that was right there in front of you.
A brilliant reawakening.”