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: Lauren | Costa Rica Training
Her Experience in Our Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica
School Yoga Institute has truly created a profound and transformational approach to yoga training through its 200-hour Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training. The practice of Yoga saved my life and re-ignited my heart, illuminating my passions once again. While in college I experienced mental health challenges and truthfully felt that all was lost.
When I began my practice, my perspective shifted. A renewal of hope reigned upon me, sparking in me a new passion, a new sense of self. Through the physical practice of Yoga an internal shift emerged bringing my inner being, that I had willfully suppressed for years, to surface. Though murky, I decided to begin the work of rediscovery.
I am so grateful for this practice and I believe all should have access to these life-saving tools that come along with it.
I first introduced Yoga to my mom, knowing the immense hardships she experienced all throughout her life, I knew she could benefit from Yoga if she chose to embrace it. After doing a couple classes with me, the spark ignited in her to begin the process of unpacking and began to go to talk therapy. This was my inspiration.
Witnessing first-hand how this practice shifted her sense of self encouraged me in the path of aspiring to become a certified instructor and to gain the knowledge to share with others who might not have access to this practice.
Following my college graduation, I was determined to begin this next chapter of my life. I spent countless hours searching for trainings and retreats. When I came across the Trauma-Informed approach to yoga that SYI offered, my heart immediately felt at peace. Without even giving it a second thought I had registered for this training. I am beyond grateful for that decision I made months ago. I am beyond grateful to have followed my hearts calling to this program.
As we began this training in a virtual setting, I was eager to learn. I was not prepared though for the internal stir that was going to come along from this training. Which, in my opinion, made this training even more magical. Truthfully, my expectations were that I was simply going to learn how to instruct the physical, Asana, practice and am pleasantly surprised that I took away more of the inner-work and emotional implementations that I was blessed to discover.
The course instruction was so intentional in the way it was implemented and each day of training I was graced with the discovery of more and more of myself and inner being. The idea of agency and autonomy each person has to this practice is what I gained the most insight on and resonated with most. Discovering that my practice can and is entirely mine and I can choose how I integrate embodiment in my practice from day to day.
Following this training I am eager to work with youth in underserved communities. My passion is youth and I truly believe in the Trauma-Informed approach to nurturing and empowering our youth. I am grateful to be in connection with various nonprofits in my area that cater to youth experiencing adversity and I am hopeful in sharing with them with the resources that I have gained through this training. I was beyond ecstatic when I discovered that as a requirement to our training we had to establish a community project. It is evident that SYI values the mission of service and aligns deeply with my heart.
Thank you School Yoga Institute for pioneering the heart that is Yoga in this world. I will forever be grateful for my experience in the magical jungle of Montezuma, Costa Rica and the connections that I made through this training.