TRAUMA-INFORMED
YOGA TEACHER TRAINING

LEARN TO BE TRAUMA-INFORMED

The Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training is a 45-hour training designed specifically for yoga teachers who would like a deeper understanding of what trauma is, how it shows up in the yoga classroom, and how to teach in a way that is informed by this understanding. The training is offered in separate modules that explore a wide range of topics, including intersectionality, mindfulness, somatic psychology, and how yoga philosophy intersects with modern psychology on the topic of trauma. The training is led by teachers with specific training in each of their fields of knowledge, and will offer a variety of viewpoints. The training will include theory, practice, and personal exploration. Participants are required to hold a 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training certificate, or have some equivalent of yoga teaching experience to enroll. This training fulfills 45 hours of elective credit for the Yoga Garden SF 300 Hour Teacher Training program.

"Trauma is not what happens to you, trauma is what happens inside you as a result of what happened to you…Trauma is a psychic wound that hardens you psychologically that then interferes with your ability to grow and develop."
Gabor Maté

CURRICULUM BY MODULE

Independent Study: Introduction to Trauma

Psychology, Yoga, and Trauma with Max Kopeikin

This module explores the intersection between Western somatic-based psychological approaches to healing trauma, and yoga-influenced approaches to healing trauma. You’ll also learn about what is included in the field of trauma-informed yoga, the different settings and professions that are part of this work, ways to get involved in this field as a yoga teacher, and the importance of setting boundaries in your work as a trauma-informed teacher. Trainees learn how to use yogic frameworks, such as the koshas and the gunas, to plan and sequence trauma-informed classes. This module includes a teaching lab where students will get to plan and teach sequences, and an expressive arts-based experiential exercise that is oriented towards self-care.

The Relationship between Trauma & the Mind with Karen Macklin

In this module, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how trauma affects the brain and autonomic nervous system, and the implications trauma has on our daily behavior, ability to concentrate, and our personal sense of safety. You’ll get to understand the three central brain regions and how they correlate to trauma, and also explore the concepts of addiction and shame. You’ll also gain a greater understanding of how trauma is defined through both Yogic and Buddhist frameworks, and explore the timeless practice of mindfulness as a way to work with post-traumatic stress. This module is mostly theory and discussion with some periods of seated meditation practice.

Intersectional Yoga Teaching with Europa Grace

This module explores intersectionality, which is a framework for understanding how aspects of a person's social and political identities combine to create different lived experiences. No matter our individual backgrounds, we have all been negatively impacted by white supremacy culture, which dominates the many aspects of our society, from education to housing to healing practices like yoga. In order to dismantle this toxic culture and the trauma that is a systematic part of its design, we must commit to a process of decoupling our healing from capitalist, hetero-patriarchy, and to teach in an intersectional way. In this training, we'll go back in time to fetch the true intentions of this ancient healing practice and carry it forth, along with our own personal ancestral practices. You'll gain a better understanding of how modern yoga often functions as a tool of oppression (rather than healing), and the ways in which we each play a part in this paradigm. You'll also be empowered to create more inclusive spaces of healing in your own classrooms. This module includes lecture and group discussion, as well as somatic exercises geared toward self-inquiry and ancestral healing.

Supporting Pregnant & Birthing People with Melylah Botte Smith

In this module, you will learn how U.S. birthing culture, healthcare disparities, and systemic trauma can all lead to traumatic experiences for pregnant and birthing people, and why it is essential to hold this knowledge when teaching to this population. In a brave and courageous space, you’ll learn how to create safer and more welcoming yoga classes that incorporate invitational and inclusive language for your prenatal students. This module includes healing-centered practices such as body scans, somatic movement, affirmations, and connection.

Understanding Sexual Trauma with Alexandra Rossi

In this module, you’ll learn about the trauma experienced as a result of sexual harassment and assault, and how this form of trauma has been, at times, a serious problem in the yoga world. You’ll explore these issues in a brave and courageous space, and learn how to teach in a trauma-informed way that is sensitive to survivors of assault and includes positive imagery, non-triggering and respectful language, and trust-building. This module includes practices such as restorative yoga, body scans, self-compassion, and intention-setting.

Understanding Childhood Trauma with Alexandra Rossi

This module gives you a broader understanding of how children and adolescents experience trauma, and how to work with them in a positive, trauma-informed way. You’ll also gain a deeper understanding of how childhood trauma affects adults, how remnants of one’s childhood trauma might show up in a yoga class, and how to create an environment that helps adults to be compassionate with and work to heal these traumatized parts of themselves. You’ll learn trauma-informed teaching techniques that can be used specifically for children and teens, including intentional breathing practices, somatic experiencing, tapping and drumming, and mindfulness.

Dismantling Cultural Appropriation with Harpinder Mann

In this module, Harpinder Kaur Mann, co-founder of the Womxn of Color Summit, will discuss, from an Indian-American perspective, the subject of cultural appropriation in the modern yoga world—and the damage that this appropriation can perpetuate. This will be a contemplative space to explore the entanglement between cultural appropriation, colonization, and New Age Spirituality and understand how we, as conscious yoga teachers, can help to dismantle the cultural appropriation of yoga, and learn how to better honor yoga's roots. Harpinder will share observations and solutions from her own personal journey, offer space for deep reflection, and lead participants in a short trauma-informed meditation session. By working towards intentionally decolonizing yoga, we embody values of compassion, equanimity, and integrity, which helps release patterns of oppression.

Teachers

Tuition

TRAUMA-INFORMED TEACHER TRAINING: $990

PROELITE MEMBERSHIP: $475/MONTH
Take anything and everything! Unlimited classes, workshops, trainings, and certifications during your membership.

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“

The more time that passes, and the more teacher trainings I see cropping up everywhere, the more grateful I feel for my experience at YGSF. It was a transformational time, and has directed my life time and again. So, thank you!

Mariah Frye Colie

Owner of Stone Turtle Yoga

“

The teacher training at YGSF helped me deepen my understanding of yoga, not only yoga asanas and sequencing a yoga class, but also the philosophy and history of yoga. It also definitely helped me gain confidence in my abilities to teach.

Dr. Zohreh Sadeghi

Owner of Roja SF

“

The level of professionally at the Yoga Garden SF is top notch. The focus on anatomy, alignment, sequencing, history, philosophy and TEACHING is key preparation to teaching in the real world.

Maria Furst

Founder of Cama Yoga in Norway

“

I heard about Yoga Garden SF’s Teacher Training from my good friend, Sasha, who is also an alumni of the 200-Hr program. The training was very helpful in preparing me to teach postures, sequence a class, and provide adjustments.

Regina Felice

Founder of Live-A-Lot Chocolate

“

The curriculum at Yoga Garden SF's YTT is well composed and balanced, which meant that we would get a healthy dose of not just yoga philosophy, but also information on anatomy, alignment, adjustments, sequencing and an emphasis on practical teaching skills. YGSF’s curriculum offered all of that from a range of different experts.

Flo Shih

Founder of Yoga, Wine & Travel

“

This program was amazing. All of the teachers were incredible and brought something unique to the program as well as an expertise that a single-teacher led training likely could not achieve. I would highly recommend it.

Will Pringle

Yoga Teacher - San Francisco

“

I recommend this program with all my heart for someone who wants to deepen their practice and to learn the skills to teach yoga with the proper cues and alignment. You will get knowledge on how to build your business as a yoga teacher. But more than that, I will recommend this program to someone who wants a change in their life for the better.

Anna Satorre

Yoga Teacher - San Francisco

“

The flexibility with the scheduling of courses and with finances gave me the impression that Yoga Garden SF and its teachers were focused on providing good education to anyone that wants it and not just those who can afford it. I felt confident that the teachings I received here would be taught in good faith and with the long history in mind, which was important to me.

Justice McCullum

Yoga Teacher - San Francisco

“

Yoga Garden provided me an amazing opportunity to further my educational goals regarding yoga, and add a diversity of knowledge in anatomy, vedic philosophy, and physical asana. I really appreciated the depth of knowledge the teachers held as well as their adaptability and allowance for different yogic schools of thought.

Ariana Shadan

Yoga Teacher - San Francisco

“

Going in I was just excited to be doing my yoga teacher training, but I didn't expect to meet such amazing people. I can't imagine doing my training at any other studio, the teachers and my fellow students were great, the curriculum was really well made and my all around experience was amazing.

Julie Goldman

Yoga Teacher - San Francisco

“

I feel lucky to not only have built a solid foundation during these four weeks, but done it alongside the most inspiring, loving and amazing classmates! I’m grateful for the experience and excited to continue the journey with new friends, teachers and a newfound appreciation and love for yoga!

Anita Gupta

Yoga Teacher - San Francisco

“

The teacher training at YGSF helped me deepen my understanding of yoga, not only yoga asanas and sequencing a yoga class, but also the philosophy and history of yoga. It also definitely helped me gain confidence in my abilities to teach.

Dr. Zohreh Sadeghi

Owner of Roja SF

“

The more time that passes, and the more teacher trainings I see cropping up everywhere, the more grateful I feel for my experience at YGSF. It was a transformational time, and has directed my life time and again. So, thank you!

Mariah Frye Colie

Owner of Stone Turtle Yoga

“

The level of professionally at the Yoga Garden SF is top notch. The focus on anatomy, alignment, sequencing, history, philosophy and TEACHING is key preparation to teaching in the real world.

Maria Furst

Founder of Cama Yoga in Norway

“

I heard about Yoga Garden SF’s Teacher Training from my good friend, Sasha, who is also an alumni of the 200-Hr program. The training was very helpful in preparing me to teach postures, sequence a class, and provide adjustments.

Regina Felice

Founder of Live-A-Lot Chocolate

“

This program was amazing. All of the teachers were incredible and brought something unique to the program as well as an expertise that a single-teacher led training likely could not achieve. I would highly recommend it.

Will Pringle

Yoga Teacher - San Francisco

“

The curriculum at Yoga Garden SF's YTT is well composed and balanced, which meant that we would get a healthy dose of not just yoga philosophy, but also information on anatomy, alignment, adjustments, sequencing and an emphasis on practical teaching skills. YGSF’s curriculum offered all of that from a range of different experts.

Flo Shih

Founder of Yoga, Wine & Travel

“

The curriculum at Yoga Garden SF's YTT is well composed and balanced, which meant that we would get a healthy dose of not just yoga philosophy, but also information on anatomy, alignment, adjustments, sequencing and an emphasis on practical teaching skills. YGSF’s curriculum offered all of that from a range of different experts.

Flo Shih

Founder of Yoga, Wine & Travel