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: Shauna | Costa Rica Training
Her Experience in Our Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher Training in Costa Rica
Leading up to my SYI journey, I was feeling stuck and in need of inspiration. Being a psychotherapist and group fitness instructor, I have, for a long time, been interested in how I can combine my passions in the two worlds.
I was inspired to choose this program because of my growing passion and love for yoga, as well as my personal interest in polyvagal theory and integrating somatic approaches in my therapy practice with clients.
For several years, I have been interested in trauma-informed yoga so that I can combine both of my interests, teaching in the fitness realm as well as supporting others in working through and integrating their trauma, in a meaningful way. Personally, I have noticed substantial change in my own life from learning to regulate my own nervous system, but I also feel that it is a continuous journey.
Last year, I attended a psychotherapy conference in the area of somatic trauma treatment. I felt inspired and awakened by learning these tools and principles. I was energized to share these teachings with clients and eagerly searched for additional training opportunities to learn more.
Fast forward a year later, having encountered many challenging moments in 2023, I realized more than ever that I wanted to prioritize exploring growth and self-development in the yoga space. I have learned so many lessons on the mat that apply off the mat (e.g., patience, knowing when to push forward and when to pull back, listening to the wisdom of my body, exchanging energy with a collective group, knowing how to access ease even in difficult situations, etc.). I felt that integrating trauma and yoga education would help me to step into a more authentic version of myself and allow me to share the joy of breath and movement with others in an incredibly healing way.
For several weeks, I revisited the SYI 200-hour trauma-informed hybrid training in Montezuma, Costa Rica, continuing to come back to the online page again and again. Something in my intuition told me that this would be an important milestone in my journey of self-development and healing. I was experiencing a deep knowing that I could no longer ignore.
I specifically chose SYI because of the trauma-informed component and the ability to complete the training in a hybrid format. As a psychotherapist who works with trauma and in trauma recovery and with disordered eating, it was important to me to select a program where mental and emotional health of yogis was at the heart of the program.
This program did not disappoint. I chose the hybrid format because I wanted to continue working and operating my business at the beginning of the training. I found Jeanine and Brooke to be flexible and accommodating to the needs of the group, while also upholding the structure and integrity of the program, which was greatly appreciated.
Takeaways from this training include a deeper understanding of the philosophical underpinnings of yoga, a better understanding of anatomy as it specifically relates to yoga, and an improved understanding of yoga asanas and appropriate alignment to access the safest version of the pose. More than this, though, I am taking away a better awareness of myself and my own relationship to movement, rest, and my own emotional strengths and blockages.
I made so many wonderful friendships and relationships along the way in this training, Jeanine and Brooke were so supportive and encouraging of each and every student. They created such a safe container for each of us to show up exactly how we were and express ourselves in whichever way that we needed to. I felt safe and comfortable to be vulnerable and authentic, which set the stage to create many lasting friendships.
After gaining many skills and tools from this training, I plan to integrate one-on-one and group in-person yoga offerings as adjunct services with the one-on-one psychotherapy services that I already offer. I also will be teaching a weekly yoga class at my local gym where I already teach. As my community project, I plan to offer pay-what-you-can classes once per month for individuals affected by trauma, or in eating disorder recovery, or those who cannot afford yoga offered in a traditional studio environment.
Going forward and integrating my learnings into my own life back home, I would like to empower others to reconnect with their body in a safe way, especially if they have gone through experiences that have caused them to disconnect their mind from their bodies as a means of protection. It is such an honour to be able to hold space for these individuals to begin to come back home to themselves. I credit SYI with providing me the tools to build my confidence and competence as a yoga instructor. This was a transformational experience of a lifetime that I will truly never forget!”