Yoga for Embodiment & Healing
About This Course
Yoga and mindfulness practices help to enhance health and happiness by incorporating the principles of neuroscience, neuroplasticity, body/mind communication and supports the cultivation of self awareness. These evidence-based practices can help clients release trauma imprints, calm worried minds, soothe painful emotions, replace harmful thoughts, cultivate compassion, enhance concentration and teach the joys of present moment awareness.
Over the course of my career as a mental health clinician, trauma therapist and yoga teacher I have seen how both individual therapy, predominantly talk therapy has supported and benefited my clients. However, what became very apparent to me in my work was that trauma resides in the body and that we can change our thought processes and behaviours but our fear system is operated from our nervous system. Neuroscience has given us a much better idea of how to work with anxiety, depression, trauma and attachment difficulties by having a clearer understanding of memory, how the brain processes fear and threat and how the body hold onto our unconscious processes. This work starts with the body!
If you work with people in any capacity, you will bear witness to their inner world and walk alongside them in their journey. This course enables you to have a much better understanding of how to incorporate the body into treatment or for people working with the physical body, how to support people with emotional and mental stressors in a safe and empowering way.
From the time of my very first job in a greengrocers at age 14 until now, I have realised that regardless of what we do, we relate and form relationships with others, WE are triggered by others and at times they are very much triggered by US as we all experience the ‘other’ through our the lens of our own experience.
As people who work with others, we will encounter people suffering from, physical, mental and emotional pain. The elements of yoga that have for thousands of years been shown to support us by balancing our nervous system, lowering our heart rate, encouraging self reflection and introspection are part of what we know works. With the latest research we also know that interoception, choice making, empowerment not by achieving goals or postures, but by choosing what is right for your body has the capacity to rewire our brain.
This course will walk you through the knowledge needed to work with people from a yoga psychology perspective and from a perspective of bringing the body into treatment and supporting distress tolerance, whether that be in the workplace, school, hospital, a yoga studio or in the community. This is actioned by focusing on tools of grounding, enhancing opportunities for neuroplasticity, being a safe container for others distress, providing a safe environment and by understanding how the body, mind and nervous system react to perceived threat.
Who would benefit from this course:
Yoga Teachers and Yoga Teachers in training… who are interested in expanding their teaching skills and developing more confidence in working with students/clients who suffer from trauma and mental health difficulties. Yoga teachers will develop a much deeper understanding of the concepts of Yoga Psychology and it’s capacity to empower students by providing safe and inclusive yoga practices with awareness.
Mental Health Professionals… who are interested in bringing the body into treatment. There is now a significant body of evidence that has seen a marriage between yoga and Psychology. Neuroscience has shown that the mind and body are intrinsically linked and that trauma resides in the body. It has been my experience that when clients learn to befriend and trust their body, the capacity for clients to engage in therapy in a much safer and satisfying way is achieved. Yoga engages the nervous system teaching distress tolerance by balancing the nervous system, enhancing opportunities for neuroplasticity to occur by moving and breathing in a community setting with intention and on purpose.
Wellbeing professionals… who are interested in the mind-body connection and working in a holistic way towards healing and recovery
Yoga practitioners… who are interested in furthering and deepening their knowledge in the context of ‘self’, working on their own journey towards total wellbeing and personal discovery.
Teachers, nurses, first responders and all human service workers… who come into contact with students/ patients who are distressed and overwhelmed and require significant support and containment. This course will give you the confidence to use grounding and stabilising techniques by using the body, breath and awareness of how the brain responds to anxiety.
How does the course run?
The course is comprised of 5 modules. Participants can enrol in the full course online via the website. The course is accredited by Yoga Alliance and CPD are available. The course can be started by starting with any module, once all 5 modules are completed, a certificate will be awarded to students who have completed all components of the course. Alternatively, participants can enrol in individual modules, they will be advertised online on the website and in social media and can be booked into as separate modules. CPD points apply.
The course is comprised of 5 modules each of 20 hours duration. The course will be held at Pax Centre in Leederville. Remote access is also available by arrangement.
The course will comprise of yoga practice, information sessions and lectures, interactive learning and journaling and reflection time.
Testimonials
“I feel like this sort of training should be mandatory for all yoga teachers. I spent my first few years as a yoga student being told how I should feel and move in my own body. I now consider this sort of language as negligent, especially for anyone who has experienced trauma in their life. And let’s be honest, it would be hard to find some today who hasn’t had a traumatic experience in their lifetime.
The yoga teacher training market is saturated with unqualified teachers advertising this sort of training. I chose to do my training with Martine as she is qualified and extremely experienced in this field. I also appreciated that the training was mostly evidence based and not through the lens of some yoga teachers personal experience with trauma, depression or anxiety.
I highly recommend this training to all yoga teachers.”
Kylie Gillen, Yoga Teacher/ Nutritionist, Founder of Even Flow Lifestyle & Medicine
“I recently had a lived experience of a personal situation - my best friend was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer. As a yoga teacher who had basic knowledge of how trauma can affect your body I was inspired to find training in trauma-informed yoga creating a spark and a yearning to deeper understand how it can affect us. Martine's course was exactly what I was after. Not only was this course recommended to me by another highly respected Yoga Teacher but when I met Martine I felt so at ease. She is the most approachable and empathic person to learn from, she also teaches with a perfect mix of personal experiences and insights and scientific/backed knowledge from the Boston Trauma Centre. I have always been interested in human behaviour and as a designer completing my masters by completing this course with Martine it formed the basis of my research project and the desire was to explore ways of assisting people who have experienced trauma using visual communication. Highly recommend this course for personal development, meeting awesome new friends and understanding more about how trauma affects our body. I strongly believe that if as a society we can be more trauma-aware we can come from a place of compassion and understanding to solve complex human issues that we all face in today's post-pandemic world.”
Nova van den Beld, Yoga Teacher
Your investment:
The full course - $2,650.
Each individual module - $595
Payments can be made by direct bank transfer upon request.
How to Book and Pay:
Bookings and payment can be made by Direct Deposit (Bank Transfer) or Credit Card.
Bank Transfer
Bank Account details are:
BSB: 036-069
Acct Number: 775394
Name: The Yoga Clinic Perth
Please email hello@therafoundation.net to confirm payment and a receipt will be sent to your email address.
Thank you!
Credit Card
Please email hello@therafoundation.net to confirm payment and a receipt will be sent to your email address.
Things to be aware of:
You do not have to be an experienced yoga practitioner to do any of the modules.
All equipment is provided.
The course costs does not include meals or afternoon tea, in an effort to keep prices down.
Kylie from evenflowlifestylemedicine reflects on her experiences of completing this course.
Background music by RelaxingTime
What are the modules?
Module 1 – The use of self, vicarious trauma, self care and compassion
Learning how to care for ‘Self’ whilst caring for others.
Making sense of our belief systems and roles we play as carers personally and professionally.
Understanding the impact of Vicarious Trauma and Compassion Fatigue
Gaining an understanding of the role of transference and counter transference when working with others in the context of mental health.
Learning the warning signs of Trauma Exposure Response and finding balance.
The use of sound in healing.
Module 2 – Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga
The original TCTSY - Foundation Course (certification from The Centre for Trauma & Embodiment)
Learning the theory behind trauma sensitive yoga.
Learning the differences between trauma sensitive yoga and trauma informed yoga and having a clear awareness of what is necessary to safely run a trauma sensitive yoga class and the difference of creating a trauma informed class.
Understanding how to create a safe space in which to work with survivors of trauma.
Practicing the utilisation of invitational language, choice making and supporting students to practice having present moment experiences.
Understanding the role of interoception in creating opportunities for neuroplascticity.
Understanding the role of the mind, the brain and the nervous system in managing trauma responses and in healing from trauma.
Having the opportunity to experience being in a trauma sensitive yoga class, go over posture breakdown and having opportunities to practice teach.
Module 3 – Yoga For Anxiety and Depression
Exploration of the neurobiology of anxiety and depression.
Normalising anxiety as a necessary and adaptive behaviour for survival and understanding the role of genetics, personality, environmental and situational factors and attachment style in determining how to work with your student / client.
The role of the nervous system and gaining an understanding of left and right brain presentations of anxiety and depression and the need to be able to recognise both.
Teaching postures, breathing and mindfulness techniques that can be utilised to create a program that is suitable for a group and for individuals depending on the type of class or presentation of the individual
Module 4 – Yoga Psychology & the neuroscience of pain and stress related disorders
The interaction between body and mind, Breath and Energy.
The sensory motor mind (manas).
Memory and repression (chitta)
The sense of “I” (Ahankara) Attachment and relationships.
The Psychology of Pain and the process of change
The Chakra system – The 7 centres of consciousness.
Modern day applications of yoga psychology for anxiety, depression, mood disorders, phobias, eating disorders, drug addictions, childhood disorders (ADHD, autism)
The impact of early attachment and the formation of Core Sensitivities
The role of Bodhichitta – The Awakened Mind
Psychological Insight work
Ayurveda and the Mind
Explore the ventral vagal brain/ heart connection
Healing the whole person – Higher knowledge and Practice
Breath and Energy
Module 5 – Trauma Informed Yin for the Nervous System
Gaining an understanding of how to use Yin as a healing and restorative practice.
Learning to support students to use their bodies to calm the nervous system.
The use of meditation and pranayama in Yin classes.
Understanding the link between meridian theory and the chakra system and the embodiment of emotions.
The concept and importance of Chi.
Incorporating a mindfulness practice and psychological inquiry element into our Yin practice.
Learn about the role of the Vagus nerve and Polyvagal Theory
Exploration of Yin postures as prescriptions for emotional and mental wellbeing.
Here are the dates for the upcoming modules. We hope you can join us!
Due a lot of interest for a completely online livestream version of this course we have now created a schedule for delivery fully online. There is an option for a hybrid version also and participants can complete either in person or online modules. Once all 5 modules have been completed certification will be awarded.
Please see dates for the online version below.
Please note that you are welcome to start the training with any module or just do individual modules which will be advertised on the Events page.
Please also note that this 100 hour course can be started with any module. Once all 5 modules are completed, certification of the 100 hour training will be awarded and CPD points can be applied for from Yoga Alliance and through Professional Bodies.
Modules can be done as individual modules and can be booked via the Events page.
In Person in Perth, Western Australia
Module 1 - November 9th & 10th 2024
Module 2 February 8th and 9th 2025.
Module 3 - April 5th & 6th April 2025
Module 4 May 31st & 1st June 2025
Module 5 August 2nd & 3rd 2025
All modules are run over 2 days from
Saturday 9.30am - 5pm
Sunday 9.30am - 5pm
Please note that each training has 15 hours of in person training and 5 hours of self paced study.
Please note that the module dates may be subject to change.
All modules are held at Heart Place Yoga, Fibonacci Centre, Fremantle, WA 6160
Online Livestream Dates
Yoga for Anxiety & Depression. - 26th & 28th October 2024
Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga - 23rd & 24th November 2024
Yoga Psychology - 7th & 8th December 2024
Trauma Sensitive Yin - 22nd & 23rd February 2025
Use of Self, Vicarious Trauma & Compassion fatigue - 26th & 27th April 2025
Trauma Centre Trauma Sensitive Yoga - 21st & 22nd June
Please note that the module dates may be subject to change.
Please note that you are welcome to start the training with any module or just do individual modules which will be advertised on the Events page.