This course is to inform and equip yoga teachers to lead with trauma sensitivity and offer TSY to populations they are called to serve!

Overview of Fall 2024 Freedom Module:

Course Materials: 

• Please refer to the online course for weekly Zoom link, recordings, additional learning resources, homework assignments and quizzes. 
• The Freedom manual can be downloaded in online course under the Zoom Link and Important Resources. Click on the down arrow if you would like to download the PDF with the option to print for note-taking. 
• Required book: Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Yoga Teaching This essential teaching resource meets the increasing need for yoga teachers to be trauma-informed and trauma-responsive, and aware of how poses, breath work, and meditation can impact the body. In detailing all aspects of trauma as it relates to yoga teaching, this guide lays a strong foundation in fostering trust and building authentic connections with students safely and confidently. Yoga teachers will benefit from a number of yoga practices for self-regulation, self-determination, and agency, as well as guidance on polyvagal theory, communication, setting boundaries, and yoga teacher self-care. It also includes a de-escalation protocol for in-session trauma responses and how to cultivate a trauma-informed teaching environment. Written by an internationally renowned author duo, this is a universal resource for yoga teachers looking to empower themselves and their clients from all demographics and in all settings.

Live Zoom Meetings: 

• Tuesday, Oct 29, 2024 - Freedom Week #1: Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction with Tracy Cunningham
• Tuesday, Nov. 5th NO LIVE ZOOM due to Election Day (Week #2 pre-recorded workshop in online course)
• Tuesday, Nov 12, 2024 - Freedom Week #3: Mindfulness & TSY Teaching Methodology w/Andrea Wittig
• Tuesday, Nov 19, 2024 - Freedom Week #4: Nervous System & Polyvagal Theory w/Andrea Wittig
• Tuesday, Nov 26th NO LIVE ZOOM due to Thanksgiving - Freedom Week #5: Somatics Part 1 (pre-recorded)
• Tuesday, Dec 3, 2024 - Freedom Week #6: Somatics Part 2 + Teaching Methodology with Luci Davis
• Tuesday, Dec 10, 2024 - Freedom Week #7: Yoga Nidra for TSY w/Kristin Gibowicz

Each week in your course, you will have homework assignments that include:

• Reading/listening specific chapters in Trauma-Informed and Trauma-Responsive Yoga Teaching
• Instructional videos explaining of how the body reacts and stores trauma.
• Additional articles to read. 
• Exercises on attachment styles & personal worksheets from The Embodied Healing Workbook by Catherine Cook-Cottone
• Soul Flows with Kristin (themed on Anatomy of the Soul by Curt Thompson)
• Somatics practices with Luci Davis and Mindfulness TSY with Andrea Wittig
• Quizzes are mostly reflective for the integration of the weekly content.