Yoga Outreach Core Training™
Yoga Outreach Core Training™ empowers qualified yoga teachers and other movement professionals to reach individuals facing multiple barriers in their lives, including:
- violence,
- post-traumatic stress disorder,
- addictions, mental illness or health challenges, or
- incarceration.
Teachers who understand how to offer choice, focus on strengths, and emphasize sensation can create an environment that facilitates mental healing, as well as physical.
Yoga Outreach Core Training™ skills are applicable for teachers in any setting, including studios. Learn how to make all your classes or client sessions more accessible, by removing barriers you didn’t realize were there.
Over 25 Years’ Experience
We have over 25 years’ experience providing accessible yoga programs to marginalized people across BC. Our trauma-informed yoga training draws on this experience, with plenty of real-life examples. All proceeds from this trauma-informed yoga training allow us to create more healing spaces for our most vulnerable community members. Once you’ve completed the course, you’ll be eligible to volunteer with us if you choose.
***Please note we are currently only accepting volunteers who reside in British Columbia and the Yukon.
Participants will receive a certificate of completion, and are eligible for Yoga Alliance Continuing Education Credits: 20 contact + 5 non-contact.
Live via zoom – This training is not designed to be taken asynchronously. In order to receive a certificate of completion for this training attendees must be present live for 7/8 sessions. Extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis. Recordings will be made available to students who miss a session but are not considered a substitute for attendance. Please note there is approximately 5 hours of homework to be completed PRIOR to the course start date.
Course Details
Yoga Outreach Core Training™ Online
NEXT ONLINE – November 12th – December 10th | Sundays | 9am – 1pm
Live via zoom – This training is not designed to be taken asynchronously. In order to receive a certificate of completion for this training attendees must be present live for all 5 sessions. Extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case by case basis. Recordings will be made available to students who miss a session but are not considered a substitute for attendance.
Please note there is approximately 5 hours of homework to be completed PRIOR to the course start date.
Yoga Outreach Core Training™ Hybrid
Next Hybrid – TBD
Please note there is approximately 5 hours of homework to be completed PRIOR to the course start date.
Yoga Outreach offers a sliding scale for our trainings.
Sliding Scale
$472.5/$378/$283.5/$0
There are a limited amount of slots for classes offered at the middle and lower end of the scale. Please be mindful that if you purchase a price at the lowest end of the scale when you can truthfully afford the higher ticket prices, you are limiting access to those who truly need the gift of financial flexibility. Being honest with yourself and your financial situation when engaging with sliding scale practices grows strong and sustainable communities. Please see the scale descriptions at the bottom of this page for more details. *Adapted from wortsandcunning.com/blog/sliding-scale.
Tier 1
The highest dollar amount reflects the true cost of the class. Choose this option if you:
- have access to financial security
- own property
- have personal savings
- are able to pay for “wants”
- spend little time worried about securing necessities in your life.
Tier 2
The middle cost acknowledges that paying the full cost would prevent some folks from being able to attend. If you are:
- struggling to conquer debt or build savings
- have access to steady income
- not spending most of your time thinking about meeting basic needs such as food, shelter, medical care, child care
Tier 3
The lowest cost represents a deliberate opportunity to welcome participation from folks who lack financial resources. If you:
- struggle to maintain access to needs such as health care, housing, food, child care,
- are living paycheck to paycheck
- are in significant debt, you probably belong here
Scholarship & Work-study Option
Scholarships are available for those who face financial barriers to attend this training even with the sliding scale. PLEASE NOTE: Due to demand if you reside outside of British Columbia you will only be considered for a scholarship if you are engaged in working with marginalized communities.
There are two kinds of scholarships available:
Workstudy scholarships are for those who are able to pay a portion of the tuition (usually $180) and do some volunteer hours (not teaching yoga) ahead of the training. Typically this depends on your skills, availability, and what we need at the time. 100% scholarships are for those who do not have the financial resources to attend. These spaces will be prioritized for folks who have a deep interest in bringing this work to impacted communities. We encourage BIPOC and/or LGBTQ2SIA+, immigrant, and refugee folks, as well as those with a diversity of experience including but not limited to ability, mental illness, and/or neurodiversity to apply.
Application Deadline for scholarships are 45 days prior to date of the course. You will be notified as soon as the scholarship committee has made a decision, approx. 30 days before the training. Approved workstudy applicants must complete volunteer commitment prior to attending the training.
Applicants with the following will be prioritized:
- Keen interest in working with marginalized folks
- Demonstrated financial need
- Applicants with current involvement, whether paid or volunteer, within the communities we serve.
At least one scholarship space/training will be reserved for BIPOC and/or LGBTQ2SIA+ folks. We also encourage those with a diversity of experience including but not limited to ability, mental illness, and/or neurodiversity to apply.
Refund Policy
Training tuition is refundable, less a 15% administration fee, up to 21 days prior to the training start date. Notice of cancellation must be received in writing via training@yogaoutreach.com to receive a refund. No refunds will be issued within the 21 days prior and fees is non-transferable.
MODULE 1: WHY YOGA OUTREACH
Have a solid understanding of Yoga Outreach, including, history, vision, and purpose; what Yoga Outreach offers teachers, facilities, students, and programs including standards, confidentiality, and opportunities.
MODULE 2: STRENGTHS-BASED PRACTICE
Definitions & key components
Understand what defines a strengths-based practice and why it is important for the people we serve.
Boundaries and self-care
Understand what boundaries should be non-negotiable when working in service yoga settings and boundaries important for self-care.
Social Justice 101
Create an understanding of some of the challenges and barriers clients in service yoga settings may be facing.
MODULE 3: A TRAUMA-INFORMED APPROACH
Understand that the vast majority of clients served in service yoga settings have significant trauma histories. Yoga can help to create safety around being embodied. Learn the hallmarks of trauma-informed teaching. Understand why yoga is so beneficial for trauma survivors. Have a cursory knowledge of triggers and some strategies to counteract triggers in a classroom setting.
Step 1 – Having a body
As yoga teachers working with trauma survivors, our primary goal is to help our students reclaim their bodies. The first step of this journey requires that students recognize that they have a body. In order to facilitate this, we use exercises that are very clear and mechanical. We do not ask students to interpret their experience in any way; we simply invite them to do something simple and directed with their body.
Step 2 – Befriending the body
As yoga teachers we do this through a type of language that David Emerson at The Trauma Centre has named “Invitational Language” and “The Language of Inquiry/interoception.” We are helping students to move away from self judgment to a place of interest and curiosity. This includes words, tone and inflection. Trauma sensitive language should be clear, direct, concrete, bringing attention to visceral experiences, light on metaphors, gentle inviting mindful movement and breathing.
“Invitatory Language” – used to promote choice and control which is very important to trauma survivors. Part of building empowerment, our students have control over their bodies.
“The Language of Interoception” – Promotes a mindful approach to yoga in which there is no right or wrong just curiosity and experimentation.
Step 3 – Body as a resource
Self-regulation includes the ability to calm oneself down. For trauma survivors who are being triggered regularly this can be a big challenge. As yoga teachers, we can offer practices and postures, including Pranayama, that clients may find helpful for self-regulation.
MODULE 4: DIFFERENT GROUPS
Understand key characteristics and best practices for working within various social service settings including mental health, addictions, corrections, and youth.
MODULE 5: TEACHING IN A SERVICE YOGA SETTING
Yoga Setting – What to expect: rapport, mandates, and responsibilities of teaching in a service yoga setting.
Group project – Students incorporate the concepts they have learned into a teaching experience and receive strategic feedback to help them use the skills in the future.
Yoga Outreach Core Training™
Yoga Outreach Core Training™ skills are applicable for teachers in any setting, including studios. Learn how to make all your classes or client sessions more accessible, by removing barriers you didn’t realize were there.
