Friday, October 16 | 5:00–9:00 p.m.
Foundations of Trauma-Informed Yoga Teaching
What should yoga teachers understand about trauma—and how can that understanding shape the way they teach?
This foundational course introduces yoga teachers to essential principles of trauma-informed instruction. Participants will explore what trauma is, how trauma and stress responses may affect a student’s experience in a traditional yoga class, and how common teaching practices may be experienced by people with a trauma history.
Through discussion and practical application, teachers will learn ways to create a classroom environment that supports choice, agency, predictability, accessibility, and connection. The course will also address appropriate scope of practice and the distinction between offering trauma-informed yoga instruction and providing trauma treatment.
No disclosure of personal trauma experiences is required.
Saturday, October 17 | Morning Session 9-12
Trauma-Informed Movement and Sequencing for Yoga Teachers
Yoga is frequently recommended for people who have experienced trauma, but not every yoga practice—or every method of teaching it—will be supportive for every student.
In this experiential session, teachers will explore trauma-informed approaches to movement, posture, pacing, transitions, and sequencing. Participants will examine how variations and modifications can increase choice and accessibility in general yoga classes while allowing students greater autonomy in their practice.
Using the Window of Tolerance as an introductory framework, teachers will consider how students may experience heightened activation, decreased activation, or shifts between nervous-system states. Participants will practice adapting existing class sequences to offer grounding, orienting, energizing, or settling options without assuming that one practice will affect every student in the same way.
Saturday, October 17 | Afternoon Session 1:30-5
Trauma-Informed Language and Cueing for Yoga Teachers
The words a yoga teacher chooses—and the way those words are delivered—can significantly shape a student’s experience of safety, agency, and belonging.
This session introduces practical approaches to trauma-informed language and cueing. Teachers will explore invitational language, permission-based instruction, multiple-option cueing, and ways to reduce pressure, judgment, and unnecessary demands in the classroom.
Participants will also consider trauma-informed approaches to grounding, breath awareness, meditation, and visualization, including how to offer alternatives when an inwardly focused practice may not be comfortable or appropriate for a student.
Practice Teaching Laboratory
Participants will practice teaching in small groups and receive supportive feedback as they integrate concepts from the foundational, movement, sequencing, language, and cueing sessions. This practicum provides an opportunity to experiment with trauma-informed teaching skills in a structured learning environment before applying them in general yoga classes.
Saturday, October 17 | Evening Session 6:30-8pm
A Trauma-Informed Yoga Experience
This accessible class invites participants of all experience levels to explore yoga through a trauma-informed, choice-centered approach.
The teacher will guide participants through a thoughtfully paced practice that may include movement, breath awareness, grounding, and optional visualization. Multiple options will be offered throughout the class so that participants can make choices based on their own needs and comfort. No previous yoga experience or disclosure of personal history is required.
This class is educational and experiential in nature. It is not psychotherapy, trauma treatment, or a substitute for care from a licensed mental health or medical professional. Participants are encouraged to consult an appropriate healthcare provider if they have questions about whether the class is suitable for their individual circumstances.
Cost: Full weekend- $249 if paid and registered by October 1st; $299 thereafter
* There is a $50 deposit built into the cost of this training. There will be no refunds within 30 start days of the training.