WORKSHOP
Yoga & Trauma

“What Every Yoga Instructor Needs To Know About Trauma”

2025 Dates:Coming Soon!

  • Options: Residential or Online (dates for each announced Dec 2024)

  • learn with experienced disaster/trauma therapists & trauma-informed yoga instructors

  • theory & practice sessions

  • Q & A | break out groups | case studies

  • access to audio recordings | video recordings | workbook

  • residential option: daily yoga & meditation, yogic living, organic vegetarian food & stunning surroundings

Support projects & people creating positive change:
we donate10% of proceeds go to an organisation doing work we believe in
(Previous recipients include Tools for Inner Peace)

REGISTRATION OPENS DECEMBER 2024

Not sure if this workshop is for you?
Click below. We’d be happy to chat.

Have you joined this workshop before online?
If so, we’d love to see you again, this time IN PERSON.
Going over material, asking questions & discussing case studies are some of the best ways to “digest” & integrate material. And doing so in person is even more impactful.

Write us with any questions.
Note: Spaces are limited for repeat students in order to allow new participants to access the course.

 As a Yoga instructor or Yoga therapist….

  • Do you have students/clients who live with chronic pain, an illness, have had surgery or survived an accident?

  • Are there women in your class?
    Nationwide (US), 81% of women report experiencing some form of sexual harassment or assault during their lifetime (source: https://www.nsvrc.org/statistics)

  • Are any of your students/clients from a minority group, refugees, caregivers, aid workers, veterans or inmates?

  • Have you or your students/clients lived through a pandemic?

As a Yoga practitioner…..

  • Do you ever wonder why those spasms & shakes happen in shavasana, Yoga Nidra or deep relaxation?

  • Are you ever curious about why your body loves certain practices but can’t stand others?

  • Are you ready to feel more confident in helping yourself & others who struggle with anxiety, stress and/or trauma?

If you answer YES to any of the above,
this WORKSHOP IS FOR YOU!

Trauma is a part of life.

 

This means that 99% of your Yoga students or clients have experienced a traumatic event.

However, not all of them will be traumatized.

At the same time many of those in your class who are traumatized will not even know that they are. Yet they are drawn to Yoga and are often amazed by what they experience through it: relative calm & feeling at ease in their body. Sometimes for the first time.


Why is this?
Can Yoga ever “backfire”?
(short answer: yes, it can when we’re not trauma attuned)

How YOU can help…

 
 

If trauma is so prevalent…

“How do I avoid triggering my students?”
“What do I do if something in class does trigger them…or me!?”


These are 2 of the most common questions that Yoga teachers come to the workshop with.

GAIN KNOWLEDGE + “KNOW HOW”

This 6 part course will answer these questions & many more. The sequence of interactive 2 hr-classes is designed for you to:

  • learn what trauma is & is not

  • recognize basic signs & behaviors of trauma in yourself & in others

  • recognize the healthy “release” or “unwinding” of trauma that can come with yogic practices

  • avoid the 5 most common mis-steps yoga teachers make when working with trauma-affected students

  • learn yogic practices beyond “postures & breath work” that support recovery

  • get clear on the “do”s & “don’ts” for a trauma-sensitive approach

  • identify the inner & outer tools you already have to support those in need

  • feel more confident in your classroom & in handling trauma-sensitive students

2025 Dates: Coming Soon
Residential: 3 days | 2 nights
Online: 6 weeks (2hrs/week)

  • learn with experienced disaster/trauma therapists & trauma-informed yoga instructors

  • theory & practice sessions

  • Q & A | break out groups | case studies

  • access to audio recordings | video recordings | workbook

  • Residential Option: 3 full days of instruction & practice, yogic living, organic vegetarian food & stunning surroundings

  • Class size limited to 12 participants

    Online Price: USD 297
    Residential: dependent on location
    (includes food & accommodation for 2 nights/ 3 days)
    10% of proceeds go to an organisation working with populations at risk

We love repeat participants!
If you attended in the workshop with the Yoga Academy of North America in 2021 or online in 2023, join in person this time (spaces limited).

CURRICULUM

  • The "Ins & Outs" of Trauma


    • What trauma is and is not


    • What causes trauma

    • What actually happens in trauma

    • Trauma vs. being traumatised
 (they’re different!)

    • Not all trauma is the same: PTSD/G & other responses

    • How to begin to recognise trauma responses (the obvious & not so obvious)

    • Trauma, stress & health

    • Trauma & Yoga: how Yoga can promote healing both on & off the mat.

  • The Science of Trauma | Neurobiology

    • The basics of what happens in the brain, body & behaviour in trauma

    • The 3 brains & the vagus nerve

    • Fight, Flight, Freeze, Fawn & Flow

    • Emotions & trauma

    • Recognising different trauma responses & trauma “discharge"

    • “Healing” trauma: what it means | how it can happen

    • The core components of healing trauma in PRACTICE: safety, connection, discharge, integration, self regulation.


    • Case studies & practice

  • The Science of Trauma | Yoga Physiology & Psychology

    • Yogic practice & the nervous system

    • Yoga Physiology: the 5 bodies & their interconnection

    • Yoga Psychology & Yoga Ecology: the “mind”, samskaras (imprints), the 5 senses, our connection to Nature

    • Yoga & Trauma: what’s happening in yogic terms? The 5 bodies & consciousness

    • Yoga & Emotions: working with emotions using the body, breath, Nature & more

    • “Healing” trauma in yogic terms

    • Case studies & practice

  • Trauma FIRST AID

    Build your confidence in working with trauma. Skills & practices for initial intervention.
    Covers:

    • Do No Harm

    • The “do”s & “don’t”s of working with trauma

    • What to do when someone gets triggered

    • Practice: Your “internal compass”. Recognising your cues for safety & cues for potential threat.

    • Practice: creating a “safe” container for you & the other

    • Practice: self connection (presence)

    • Practice: self regulation

    • “Healing”: what it means & how it happens

    • Review of Cases | Q & A

  • Yoga & Trauma in Practice- Part 1


    Applying trauma-attuned measures to Yogic PRACTICES.

    Covers:

    • Vagal nurturing exercises

    • Making your presence & practices trauma “attuned”

    • Boundaries: why we need them & how we create them

    • Empathy & empathy distress

    • Adapting asana, pranayama & meditation practices to be trauma attuned

    • Why ‘relaxation’ doesn’t always work & what to do instead

    • Group work

  • Yoga & Trauma in Practice- Part 2


    Applying trauma-informed measures to a Yoga class. What does it mean to be trauma-attuned?

    Covers:

    • Vagal nurturing exercises

    • Making your yoga space & classroom trauma sensitive

    • “It takes a village”: identifying your community & personal resources

    • Adapting asana, pranayama & meditation practices to be trauma sensitive (continued)

    • Group work & scenarios

    • resources for continued learning

HAVE QUESTIONS? SEE OUR FAQs here

This workshop is for you, if:

  • you teach Yoga, whether you’re an experienced instructor or a newbie

  • work with populations at high risk of trauma

  • you want to learn more about trauma & how to help yourself and others who live with the effects of it

  • are interested in a spiritual & scientific approach to understanding & addressing trauma

  • can commit time & energy to an intensive 3 day residential retreat

  • are ready to open your mind & heart, take notes, ask questions & participate

  • are prepared to practice revolutionary self care during the workshop

This workshop is NOT:

  • a training to become a trauma therapist

  • an academic course with a certificate or grades

  • a drop-in course: attendance is encouraged at all sessions throughout the weekend

  • a group or personal counselling session

Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence. Not only can trauma be healed, but with appropriate guidance and support, it can be transformative. Trauma has the potential to be one of the most significant forces for psychological, social, and spiritual awakening and evolution.
- Dr. Peter Levine in Waking the Tiger

What People Are Saying

“I am very glad I said yes to the invitation of a friend who recommended this workshop. It is what I needed to remind me of the power of our presence and that one of the greatest gifts we can give ourselves & others is our regulated embodied presence and our humanness. 
Some things that I take away from this workshop are: new insights on how Yoga can help heal trauma explained from a Somatic Experiencing (SE) and scientific perpective; more confidence to bring and blend together yoga and SE; knowing how to guide people to bring yogic resources into their lives while taking into consideration what and how is the most comfortable way for them to do that.”

- Andreea, Yoga Instructor & Somatic Experiencing (SE) student | 2023 Online Workshop

 

“Offering a safe practice for our students to help heal the impact of trauma is one of the greatest gifts we can provide. In " What Every Yoga Instructor Needs to Know About Trauma"', Yogatara and Lisa provide up-to-date scientific knowledge about trauma and its impact on the human body, emotions, and spirit, in a clear understandable manner. Their heartfelt approach embodies the principles of presence that they are emphasizing as healing tools. Using lecture, discussion, and experiential practices, they share their years of personal experience, highlighting practical application of experiential wisdom. This excellent course informs the heart and the mind. It is appropriate for teachers at all levels of experience.”

— Cynthia Taylor, MD (Siddheswari) | 2021 Online Workshop

MEET YOUR INSTRUCTORS

  • Yogatara (MTP | SEP)

    Yogatara is the director of the Isha Institute. She spends her time as a Classical Yoga practitioner, Yoga instructor, retreat leader & holistic therapist with a specialisation in trauma renegotiation. Yogatara works with individuals & consults for organisations worldwide.

    Yogatara has a diploma in Applied Yogic Science from Bihar Yoga University (India), a Masters in Transpersonal Psychology and is a certified Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP). She hosts Radio Bindu, Isha’s online free whole wellness portal.

    A science nerd & spiritual seeker, Yogatara lives across 3 cultures and 3 languages and had her main base in Nepal for over 20 years. She is passionate about sharing & learning with others across cultures.

  • Lisa LaDue (LCSW)

    Lisa is a licensed social worker in Colorado & Texas, a retired volunteer firefighter, Somatic Experiencing Practitioner (SEP), member of Team Rubicon and expert in mass fatality and disaster preparedness/management. For over 40 years Lisa has worked in the field of clinical social work, mental health, trauma and disaster.

    She has traveled the world to support individuals, organisations and governments in their times of greatest need, and in preparing for the worst. 


    In recent years Lisa has been deployed to work with Afghan refugees arriving in the US and coordinated Team Rubicon’s mental health support for Ukrainian refugees of war in Central Europe.

Our Yoga “Approach”

The Yoga that we refer to throughout this training is inspired by the the tradition of the Bihar School of Yoga, in India. This is a classical, integral approach that encourages the development & unfolding of the whole personality—body, mind, emotions, energy & higher consciousness. More than physical perfection of postures, it promotes the nurturing of each individual’s creative potential & expression in life.

This tradition draws upon, and integrates the branches of Hatha, Raja and Kriya Yoga, as well as those of Karma, Bhakti & Jnana.The Bihar School of Yoga approach is inherently “trauma sensitive” as it focuses on the development of awareness, both on and off the mat.
Yogatara regularly spends time in the ashrams affiliated with the Bihar School in India to continue to be inspired, to learn & to offer seva.

About our Residential Location
Grempoli Retreat
A haven of Yoga & simple living

Nestled in the hills of Tuscany, a stone’s throw from Florence, Grempoli is a place of retreat where people can discover simple living close to nature and the principles of integral Yoga.
Accommodation is on a twin shared basis and meals are vegetarian, with freshly sourced produce. This retreat at Grempoli includes cooking, gardening, treks in the surrounding hills and connecting with nature.
All participants are requested to arrive the night before, on September 19th. For those who wish, they are welcome to stay an extra night/day after the retreat, should they wish to.
For more information see Life at Grempoli.

Invest & Receive

  • Residential option: 3 days of live instruction & practice

  • Online option: 6 weeks | 12 hours | weekly 2hr sessions

  • workbook

  • Q & A

  • case study reviews

  • "design your class” sessions & feedback

  • audio & video recordings of “self regulation” practices

  • support of experienced yoga instructors & trauma therapists

  • Class size limited to12
    Sign up now!

Pricing
Online: USD 297
Residential: location dependent

Did you attend the 2021 Workshop @ YANA or our 2023 online workshop?
We’d love to see you again, in person!

REGISTRATION OPENS: DECEMBER 2024

“Equanimity is Yoga. Serenity is Yoga. Skill in action is Yoga. Anything by which the best and the highest in life can be attained is also Yoga. Yoga is thus all-embracing, all-inclusive and universal in its application, leading to all-round development of body, mind and soul.”

— Swami Sivananda

LEARN | TRANSFORM | THRIVE