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Foundations of Yoga For Mental Wellbeing Teacher Training

YACEP Accredited Certification
20 CE Hours

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Welcome to the

Foundations of Yoga For Mental Wellbeing Teacher Training.

This comprehensive trauma-informed course is designed for yoga teachers seeking to deepen their understanding of the intersection between yoga and mental health. Throughout the twelve modules, you will explore various aspects of yoga that contribute to mental wellbeing as well as insight into common mental wellness issues and how trauma can affect and show up for our students. You will gain valuable insights into trauma-informed teaching, stress reduction techniques, and self-care practices to include in your teaching whether it be in person, online or via retreats and workshops.

This is a completely self paced, online course with 2 LIVE teaching elements with Nikki Heyder, your lead facilitator. Students are required to complete online assessment for each module and a final case study submission essay in order to qualify for certification.

Teaching is not just about leading a sequence; nor is yoga just about asana... it's about guiding the physical, emotional & energetic body that stands before us.

Who This Training Is Suitable For?

This training is perfect for qualified yoga teachers who aspire to create a safe and inclusive space for all students, particularly those dealing with mental health challenges or have a history of trauma. Whether you're a seasoned instructor or a recent graduate, this course provides the knowledge and tools to integrate mental wellbeing principles into your teaching practice. The modules covered in this training are not modules which are commonly taught in a 200 hour teacher training course as they provide specifically tailored knowledge and skills for mental wellness through yoga.
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Hear From Our Graduates

I thoroughly enjoyed every module of the Yoga For Mental Wellbeing certification and highly recommend this course to anyone interested in learning more about the positive impacts that yoga can have on one’s mental health. The curriculum is thoughtfully crafted with the perfect balance of scientific facts, philosophic knowledge, and practical applications. Nikki is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to navigating trauma and leading from a place of compassion. I’m so grateful to have been able to learn from her years of accumulated wisdom via this course. As a result of this experience, I feel that I will be a better yoga practitioner and a better teacher with the added confidence of offering trauma-informed guidance for my students.
Elkin Nance, RYT200
Bali, Indonesia

Course Curriculum

Module 1: Introduction to Yoga for Mental Wellbeing

  • Explore the concept of resilience and its connection to yoga.
  • Understand the Five Koshas and how stress impacts each layer.

Module 2: Understanding Trauma & Trauma-Informed Teaching

  • Delve into trauma types, the ACE's, and the neurobiology of trauma.
  • Recognize the need for trauma-informed care in yoga teaching.

Module 3: A Polyvagal Approach to Understanding the Nervous System

  • Explore the Polyvagal Theory and its application in yoga.
  • Understand the three components of the polyvagal system and how they relate to the three Gunas.

Module 4: Recognising & Supporting Students With Mental Health Challenges

  • Learn to recognize signs of mental health challenges.
  • Develop strategies for responding to emotional releases.

Module 5: Trauma-Informed Sequencing and Modifying Asanas

  • Understand common physical manifestations of trauma.
  • Explore modifications and pose variations for trauma-sensitive teaching.

Module 6: Yoga Poses for Stress Reduction

  • Discover how stress impacts the physical body.
  • Explore grounding and calming yoga poses.
  • Learn to work within your students window of tolerance.

Module 7: Breathwork for Anxiety Management

  • Understand the connection between breath and mental wellbeing.
  • Explore pranayama techniques for calming the nervous system.
  • Considerations for teachers when teaching pranayama for bother hyper and hypo aroused states

Module 8: Cultivating Inner Strength through Yoga Philosophy

  • Teaching and applying the Yamas and Niyamas to reduce stress.
  • Explore how stress impacts the seven chakras.
  • Incorporating the themes of acceptance and non attachment into classes

Module 9: Mindfulness and Meditation for Stress Reduction

  • Learn the benefits of mindfulness and meditation.
  • Develop techniques for cultivating present-moment awareness.
  • Create personalized guided mindfulness based meditations for your students.

Module 10: Yoga for Relaxation and Restful Sleep

  • Practice gentle yoga for relaxation and rejuvenation.
  • Learn the basics of teaching deep rest via yoga nidra

Module 11: Yoga As Self Care

  • Teaching Self Compassion As a Gateway for healing
  • Creating personalized self care plans for students and clients

Module 12: Embodying Responsible Teaching

  • Ethics and responsibility
  • Working within scope of practice
  • Developing referral plans
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Meet Your Facilitator

Nikki Heyder is the lead facilitator of this program. As a registered E-RYT, Nikki has taught hundreds of students in various settings including Yoga classes, global retreats, online, privately and therapeutically within drug & alcohol rehabilitation centers.

As a qualified trauma-informed psychotherapist she merges her love for yoga with her love for psychology having personally witnessed how yoga can be an integral part of the healing journey when it comes to trauma relief and mental wellbeing.

Nikki hopes to educate yoga teachers worldwide on the importance of compassionate teaching and in our ability to provide safe, transformative experiences through the teachings of yoga.
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Meet Your Guest Teachers

Jivana Heymen

Teaching Topic: How To Adapt Popular Yoga Poses For Any Level Of Ability

Jivana Heyman, C-IAYT, E-RYT500, is the founder and director of Accessible Yoga, an organization dedicated to increasing access to the yoga teachings and supporting yoga teachers. He’s the author of the books: Accessible Yoga: Poses and Practices for Every Body; Yoga Revolution: Building a Practice of Courage & Compassion; and a new book, The Teacher's Guide to Accessible Yoga: Best Practices for Sharing Yoga with Every Body. Over the past thirty years of teaching yoga, Jivana has focused on welcoming all people to yoga and celebrating our individuality and our differences. His work has focused on dismantling ableism in the yoga world, as well as looking at the intersection of yoga and social justice. His books, classes, and trainings offer support to yoga teachers and yoga therapists in finding ways to bring creativity and collaboration into their teaching while still respecting the ancient yoga tradition.


Connect with Jivana:
www.jivanaheyman.com
@jivanaheyman
facebook.com/jivanaheyman

Skaya Hedstrom

Teaching Topic: Ayurveda Principles For Stress Management

After a decade of sports science and personal training, Skaya discovered a growing need to balance strong physical pursuits with softer stretch and mobility sessions. In 2013, she undertook her first 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) at Byron Yoga Centre. During this immersion her love for the spiritual and mindful practice expanded. Upon returning to Perth, she transformed my personal training studio in to a yoga focused space.

In 2017, Skaya honoured a calling to India where she completed further Yoga and Ayurvedic studies across a 5-year period.Whilst living in India she facilitated on numerous Yoga Teacher Trainings and completed studies as an Ayurvedic Practitioner.

Her offerings have naturally unfolded over the years merging her deep love of Yoga, Ayurveda, the human form and dance with a compassionate approach. She loves offering creative slow flow, pranayama (the breath is essential), artful language to provide a space where students feel supported, spacious and empowered.

Connect With Skaya:
@skaya.hedstrom

Each student arrives on the mat with a unique history, set of challenges, and needs. By cultivating an awareness of their physical and emotional state, we can tailor our teaching to support them on their journey of healing.

Once You Complete This Training, You Will Have...

Deep Insight

A profound understanding of the relationship between yoga and mental wellbeing.

Trauma-Informed Expertise

 The skills to teach trauma-sensitive yoga with empathy and compassion (and advertise yourself as a trauma-informed YT).

Effective Sequencing

The ability to design sequences that promote mental health and emotional regulation.

Practical Tools

Breath-work, meditation, therapeutic conversational skills and self-compassion practices to support your students.

Certification

A recognized certification for completing the Foundations of Yoga For Mental Wellbeing Teacher Training through TSI as well as through Yoga Alliance.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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