SOMATIC YOGA TEACHER TRAINING Student Testimonials
Read our student’s reflections. Each voice reflects a lived experience of embodied learning, inquiry, and trauma-informed practice.
Student Testimonial: Gina | Mexico Training
Her Experience in Our Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training in Mexico
Participating in the hybrid trauma-informed yoga program with School Yoga Institute has been one of the most transformative and healing experiences of my life.
This journey, which took place both online and in person in the beautiful landscape of Mexico, was far more than a yoga training—it was a return to myself, a reawakening of the parts of me I had silenced, and a powerful reconnection to community, purpose, and presence.
From the very beginning of the online portion, I could tell that this program was different. I had done yoga training before, I had sat through online workshops, and I had explored personal growth work, but nothing quite prepared me for the depth and intentionality that Brooke and Jeanine brought to this experience. Even through the screen, I could feel the care they put into creating a space that was gentle, inclusive, and safe.
I learned so much—not only about trauma-informed practices and how to hold space for others, but also about myself. Patterns I hadn’t fully understood began to make sense. Stories I had been carrying alone started to unravel. The program helped me understand not just the effects of trauma, but the resilience that exists in the body, in community, and in the breath.
Each day of the online program, I felt like I was peeling back layers of myself. There was something profoundly validating about learning from a curriculum that recognized the complexity of being human. The practices, reflections, and teachings offered me a new language to describe my experiences—one rooted in compassion, curiosity, and gentleness.
I noticed how my relationship with myself began to shift. I stopped pushing so hard and started listening more. I gave myself permission to move slowly. I found myself softening in places I had been tense for years. And most importantly, I began to trust that healing didn’t have to be about “fixing” myself, but about remembering who I truly am.
By the time I arrived in Mexico for the in-person portion, I already felt like a new version of myself—one that was more grounded, more open, and more present. But nothing could have prepared me for the magic of being there in person. Nestled in the beauty of nature, surrounded by the trees, the sun, and the land, I felt an immediate sense of peace. Brooke and Jeanine held the space with such authenticity and grace. From the way they welcomed us to the way they guided us through each day, everything was so intentional. They didn’t just teach trauma-informed practices—they embodied them.
In every interaction, every ceremony, every yoga practice, and every meal we shared, there was a sense of deep respect for each person’s process. No one was rushed. No one was left behind. We were invited to show up exactly as we were, and in doing so, we experienced the profound power of being seen and accepted. I remember thinking: This is what healing can look like.
What stood out to me the most was how the program honored the wholeness of each participant. We weren’t reduced to our trauma or our pasts. Instead, we were celebrated for our courage, our insights, and our capacity to grow. I felt genuinely supported—not just by the facilitators, but by the entire group. Over the course of the training, we laughed, cried, danced, practiced, reflected, and simply were together. In a world that often prioritizes performance and productivity, being given permission to just be was a gift I didn’t know I needed.
I also want to say how incredibly thoughtful and grounded Brooke and Jeanine are as facilitators. They are not only deeply knowledgeable, but they lead from a place of lived experience, humility, and care. They know when to offer guidance and when to step back. They model consent, sovereignty, and emotional safety in a way that makes you feel empowered to do the same in your own life. Watching them facilitate was like watching a living example of what it means to be a trauma-informed leader.
Because of this program, I feel more confident in my ability to hold space for others. I understand how to offer yoga in a way that is not just physically safe, but emotionally attuned and culturally respectful. I also understand more about how trauma lives in the body, how healing can unfold in nonlinear ways, and how important it is to center choice, breath, and connection in everything we do. This training wasn’t just about gaining tools; it was about becoming more fully myself—and from that place, sharing more authentically with others.
The friendships I formed during this experience are another unexpected blessing. There’s something about going through this kind of journey together that creates deep and lasting bonds. These aren’t just “fellow participants”—they are soul friends, mirrors, and witnesses to my growth. I know we will stay connected long after the training ends.
If you’re considering this program, I want to say: go for it. Whether you are a yoga teacher, a healer, a space-holder, or someone simply seeking a deeper relationship with yourself, this training will meet you where you are. It is not about perfect poses or rigid standards. It is about healing, truth, embodiment, and love. It is about listening—to your body, to your story, to the earth, and to others. And it is about reclaiming the sacredness of your own experience, in a way that feels nourishing, sustainable, and real.
I will carry what I learned here with me for the rest of my life. I will carry the breath, the stillness, the presence, and the power of community. I will carry the teachings and the memories. And I will carry the deep sense of gratitude I have for Brooke, Jeanine, and the entire School Yoga Institute community. Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for holding me. Thank you for reminding me that healing is possible, and that I don’t have to walk the path alone.
This program changed me. It brought me home to myself. And for that, I am forever grateful.