Educational Objectives

This training is an evidence and inquiry-based collaboration from experts in the fields of trauma and yoga, where we will explore the latest in trauma therory as it relates to yoga. It is particularly beneficial for yoga teachers, bodyworkers, mental health providers, educators, and those working in health care/service settings .

This training will also support you in your own self-regulation and healing. Through lecture, self-inquiry, group discussion and practice teaching, some of the topics we will explore include:

• Essential components of a trauma-informed yoga, including how it differs from “regular” yoga.
• Holding space in the seat of a teacher.
• Teaching themes and class design
• Breath awareness, anatomy, practices, and its relation to trauma-informed yoga.
• What trauma is and how it occurs from a body-based perspective.
• Symptoms of trauma and applicable practices to support nervous system regulation.
• Explore how trauma can affect physiology such as heart-rate variability, vagal tone, our fascia, and endocrine systems.
• Exploration of types of trauma and adverse childhood experiences.
• Tools to increase heart-rate variability, vagal tone, and support nervous system regulation.
• Considerations in offering this work to different populations.

These skills will be useful in your own journey as well as valuable in your role as a facilitator.

Trauma Sensitive Restorative Yoga Training

This training is open to anyone wanting to learn trauma-sensitive practices using the tools and wisdom of restorative yoga to access a state of potent healing, whether it be for personal practice or to share with others.

Clinical research demonstrates that restorative yoga improves immune function and digestion, strengthens vagal tone, increases heart rate variability, and teaches the nervous system to self-regulate. Measurable results of restorative yoga practices can include reduction of blood pressure, anxiety, muscle tension, and fatigue.

Through lecture, experiential learning, group discussion, and practice sessions, we will learn the difference between tightness and tension (tightness being muscle contraction, and tension being deeply held patterns in the nervous system). The tools you learn in this training will support unwinding deeply held tension in the nervous system to promote healing both on and off the mat.

Topics Include:

• Introduction to the Nervous System and Polyvagal Theory
• Trauma Theory as it Relates to Restorative Yoga
• Anatomy of Breath and Interoception
• Neurological and Physiological Benefits of Body-Based Tools (how and why they work)
• Application of Body-Based Tools to Regulate the Nervous System
• Special Considerations for Traumatized Populations
• How to Use Props Effectively to Support Releasing Tension
• How to Create a Trauma-Informed Space for Bodywork Sessions
• How to Hold Space as a Healing Practitioner

Please note that this is a professional training. While some personal processing is expected, participants should come ready to learn and engage with the content.

Participants interested in offering this work in a professional capacity may choose to receive a Certificate of Completion through BodyWise Institute. Upon Certificate of Completion, this course is eligible for 25 CE credits with Yoga Alliance.

With approximately 70% of Americans experiencing a traumatic event in their lifetime and up to 20% of these individuals developing clinical PTSD, mental health clinicians are positioned to have a profound impact on individuals, families, and communities. Trauma-informed care is a crucial skill for mental health clinicians.

Clinical research demonstrates that the trauma-informed interventions learned during this training improve immune function and digestion, strengthen vagal tone, increase heart rate variability, and teach the nervous system to self-regulate. Measurable results include reduction of blood pressure, anxiety, muscle tension, and fatigue. Our faculty brings extensive and unique experiences in mental health, trauma studies, and body-based modalities to this training.

This program is designed to educate mental health care providers regarding the impact of trauma neurologically, physiologically, and emotionally. The training also explores how interfacing with clients' traumatic experiences can result in vicarious trauma for the clinician. The program provides the latest research on the neurobiology of trauma, recent advancements of trauma theory, and evidence-based practices to resolve trauma.

Learning Objectives

• Define "trauma"
• Understand the prevalence and various types of trauma, and articulate trauma's effects on the body
• Understand the impact of trauma on diverse populations and consider ethical factors in providing trauma-sensitive care
• Use strategies learned and practiced during the training to facilitate internal and external safety in clinical work with clients
• Identify when a client is hyper- or hypo-aroused and use somatic skills learned during the training to intervene and effectively return clients to the window of tolerance
• Take a trauma-informed assessment that will allow clients to feel safe and remain within the window of tolerance
• Identify vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and burnout in their own work and use skills to more effectively take care of themselves

Topics of discussion will include:

• Exploration of trauma from a body-based perspective
• Types of trauma
• Prevalence of trauma
• Impacts of trauma on diverse populations
• Mitigation of trauma
• Fostering resilience through body-based practices such as breathing and body scanning
• Foundational skills necessary to ethically provide trauma-sensitive care
• Secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout
• Self-care for mental health providers

Custom Trauma-Informed Workshops and Trainings

BodyWise designs unique offerings to meet the needs of your community. Programs can range from 1-2 hour introductory workshops to extended modular learning. Please email trainings@bodywiseinstitute.com to explore hosting a customized program.