Back to Body
a Trauma Education Series
A two-tiered educational and somatic workshop series studying trauma through the lens of Polyvagal Theory and Yogic Philosophy
Starts February 27, 2024
(registration closes March 12)
Led by Rachel Jones, 500hr RYT (she/her)
Attend In Person or Virtually. Recorded sessions available one month after training.
This series aims to discuss the intricacies of trauma both on an individual level and within our communities.
We will approach this through the lens of polyvagal theory, neuroscience, and then draw parallels to yogic philosophy as well as somatic practices.
Because we all have nervous systems, this series is relevant for anyone and everyone interested in understanding the human experience in a deeper way.
However these concepts are particularly valuable for anyone working with the public such as mental health professionals, activists, yoga teachers, first responders, educators, health care workers, etc.
Further than education and discussion, we will study the body in yoga practice to inform our understanding not only theoretically but somatically - as we know the two can not be separated in the topic of trauma.
As we come to understand these complexities the hope is to start conversations of how to foster community systems that facilitate healing rather than perpetuate trauma.
You will see below that there are two tiers for this series depending on how you’d like to engage with this work. Read below for more information.
Two Tiers of Engagement
Tier 1
Educational + Somatic Series
This tier of the Back to Body series is for anyone interested in gaining a deep understanding of the nervous system and how trauma may be experienced in the body which influences the mind and otherwise.
Keep reading for more details or click here!
Tier 2
Trauma Informed Teacher Training
This tier is for yoga teachers, movement coaches, or anyone interested in teaching somatic work. Tier 2 includes everything in Tier 1 - with the addition of four more sessions that focus on practice and application.
Accredited as 20 CEU’s under the Yoga Alliance. Keep reading for more details!
Keep reading for more details or click here!
Dates
Initial Virtual Meeting February 27th 7-8ish
March 5th 7-8:30
March 12th 7-8:30
March 19th 7-8:30
March 26th 7-8:30
April 2nd 7-8:30
April 9th 7-8:30
April 16th 7-8:30
April 23rd 7-8:30
Final Virtual Meeting April 30th 7-8ish
Tier 1 - Trauma Education + Somatic Series
This tier of the Back to Body series is for anyone interested in gaining a deep understanding of the nervous system and how trauma may be experienced in the body which influences the mind and otherwise.
This could be particularly relevant for those working with people or the community in some capacity (health care, mental health, activist, educators, first responders, etc.). However, because we all have nervous systems, all curious individuals are welcome!
The foundation of this series is ten, 90 minute, weekly sessions over the course of 10 weeks.
Week 1 And Week 10
We will begin this series with a virtual session to meet one another, introduce this conversation, and learn about everyone’s orientation to this topic - whether that be through professional or personal interest.
Following this, there will be eight, in-person sessions, however a virtual option is available as well. Recordings will be made available to everyone for one month after the training.
In the tenth week, we will also end this series with a virtual meeting as a way to revisit and integrate our thoughts and goals around these topics, and hold space for the possibility for further community building and steps we can take going forward as practitioners interested in holistic healing.
What to Expect
Weeks 2 through 9
After the initial virtual meeting, we will meet every Tuesday in person at Empowered Spaces from 7-8:30pm (virtual options available). The first in-person week (week 2), and every other week after that (weeks 4, 6, & 8), will be our educational sessions. The in-person sessions on the opposite weeks (weeks 3, 5, 7, & 9) will be for somatic study and yoga practice.
The purpose of the educational sessions will be to engage in discussion and education around Polyvagal Theory, Yogic Philosophy, and what these two approaches mean within the context of our lives and communities.
The purpose of the somatic/yoga classes is to study practices with movement, breath, stillness, and mind that are directly relevant to the content we are discussing during our educational sessions.
This is how we put the theoretical into practice. While the classes may have moments of challenge, they will be accessible to most bodies and variations will be available for everything.
As we build community together, each session will begin with the invitation to check in with one another before we introduce new content.
Equity Pricing
In concordance with our equity pricing standards, please pay what feels accessible. There is a range set below but you may also choose another amount within this range.
A payment plan is also available (50% due Feb 27th and March 26th).
Sustainer Rate “I can pay my way” : $260
Community Supported “I could use support” : $195
Community Supporter “I can offer support” : $325
Empowered Spaces is committed to doing everything possible to make offerings accessible to everyone. There are a limited number of scholarships available for this training. To inquire about the Empowered Spaces Equity Scholarship please contact Kelly at kkcaul@yahoo.com
How to Register
If you have any questions or would like more information feel free to reach out to Rachel at empiricalsukha@gmail.com.
To register for this training click below to fill out the attached form and Rachel will be in touch within 2-3 business days with more direction and details.
You might choose to only do Tier 1. Or Keep Reading to learn more about adding on Tier 2.
Tier 2 - Trauma Informed Teacher Training
What to Expect
This tier is for yoga teachers, movement coaches, or anyone interested in teaching somatic work in a trauma informed way.
It includes everything in Tier 1 above with the addition of 4 more sessions. During these sessions we will discuss and practice how to apply the concepts we’ve learned into teaching movement and inquiry to others in a way that is informed by polyvagal theory and trauma.
Further than that, this training aims to bridge the gap of communication between the somatic world and other systems of healing. In bridging this gap, the hope is to find more efficient solutions for holistic healing in a way that includes a variety of practitioners from different backgrounds.
This is a 20 hour training held over a 10 week span for yoga, movement, or somatic teachers. These hours qualify as continuing education units under the Yoga Alliance.
Week 1 And Week 10
We will begin the training with a virtual session to meet one another, introduce this conversation, and learn about everyone’s orientation to this topic - whether that be through professional or personal interest.
Following this, the next eight weeks will be held in-person, however a virtual option is available as well. Recordings will be made available to everyone for one month after the training.
The tenth and final week will also be a virtual conversation to revisit and integrate our thoughts and goals around these topics, and hold space for the possibility for further community building and steps to take going forward as trauma interested teachers.
Tuesdays Weeks 2 through 9
After the initial virtual meeting, in-person sessions will be every Tuesday and every other Thursday at Empowered Spaces from 7-8:30pm (virtual options available).
The first in-person Tuesday session (week 2), and every other Tuesday after that (weeks 4,6, & 8), will be our educational sessions. The Tuesdays on the opposite weeks will be for somatic study and yoga practice.
The purpose of the educational sessions will be to engage in discussion and education around Polyvagal Theory, Yogic Philosophy, and what these two approaches mean within the context of our lives and communities.
The purpose of the somatic/yoga classes is to study practices with movement, breath, stillness, and mind that are directly relevant to the content we are discussing during our educational sessions. This is how we put the theoretical into practice. While the classes may have moments of challenge, they will be accessible to most bodies and variations will be available for everything.
All Tuesday sessions are included in the foundational first tier of this series, therefore will include students from both tiers 1 and 2. Having folks from both tiers in the room will allow for multiple perspectives in these conversations, aiding us in bridging the gap between the somatic world and the clinical world, legal world, or otherwise - to understand the root issue behind all of our work (trauma) and come up with solutions for effective holistic healing.
Thursdays Weeks 2 through 9
Four Thursday sessions will be held every other week in-person (virtual options available). While Tuesday sessions will include tier 1 and 2, Thursday sessions will only be those in tier 2 of the training. The purpose of these sessions is to learn how to put the principals of polyvagal theory and yogic philosophy into application as teachers. We will learn the art of teaching in a trauma informed manner and engage in discussion and exercises around what it means to be ‘trauma informed’ as a somatic teacher.
As we build community together, each session will begin with the invitation to check in with one another before we introduce new content.
Dates
Initial Virtual Meeting February 27th 7-8ish
Tues. March 5th 7-8:30
Tues. March 12th 7-8:30
Thurs. March 14th 7-8:30
Tues. March 19th 7-8:30
Tues. March 26th 7-8:30
Thurs. March 28th 7-8:30
Tues. April 2nd 7-8:30
Tues. April 9th 7-8:30
Thurs. April 11th 7-8:30
Tues. April 16th 7-8:30
Tues. April 23rd 7-8:30
Thurs. April 25th 7-8:30
Final Virtual Meeting April 30th 7-8ish
Equity Pricing
In concordance with our equity pricing standards, please pay what feels accessible. There is a range set below but you may also choose another amount within this range.
A payment plan is also available (50% due Feb 27th and March 26th).
Sustainer Rate “I can pay my way”: $375
Community Supported “I could use support” : $300
Community Supporter “I can offer support”: $450
Empowered Spaces is committed to doing everything possible to make offerings accessible to everyone. There are a limited number of scholarships available for this training. To inquire about the Empowered Spaces Equity Scholarship please contact Kelly at kkcaul@yahoo.com
How to Register
If you have any further questions or would like more information, please reach out to Rachel at empiricalsukha@gmail.com .
To register for this training click below to fill out the attached form and Rachel will be in touch within 2-3 business days with more direction and details.
For additional practice you can also choose to join Rachel in the
Back to Body Series: Four Weeks of Trauma-Informed Yoga
Covid-19 Precautions
Masks will be optional in the studio space. Please stay home if you have symptoms, test positive, or were exposed to someone with COVID-19. There is a virtual option for each session and recordings are available if unable to attend due to illness.
Accessibility
The Empowered Spaces yoga studio is located on the ground floor. There is a 10-car parking lot adjacent to the studio & additional free parking on neighborhood streets. Restroom is wheelchair-accessible and ramp-accessible in the main building. Please reach out to Kelly kkcaul@yahoo.com if there is anything more we can do to make our offerings more accessible. Empowered Spaces is committed to accessibility, and strives to be accessible and inclusive of all abilities and all individuals.
Yoga Therapist, Educator, & Psychology and Trauma Studies B.S., Advisory Circle Member
I have been a participant and student of the healing process for many years and my learning continues not only through study, but also through witnessing the communities I serve. I offer group and individual sessions on movement, meditation, and self study as well as education on these topics. I am fascinated, passionate, and committed to the innate human ability to self-heal as well as to the solutions we can find toward healing our communities at large.
In 2017 I embarked on a 200 RYT program and began my journey as a teacher of self study, movement, and self-healing. Since then I have completed a 500 RYT, began a 4 year program as a Yoga Therapist, and studied both formally and informally the sciences Psychology and Trauma Studies.
My practice has evolved and taken many turns as a result, spending two years working full time as a Wellness Guide at a recovery center primarily working with individuals struggling with Substance Use Disorder.
In my time here I had the opportunity to design and facilitate a trauma informed yoga program as well as group education on wellness. With this experience I became very interested and gained a deep understanding of PolyVagal Theory and how that relates to embodied healing particularly through the lens of Yogic philosophy.
Today, I continue my work in that intersection of thought through facilitating Yoga Teacher Trainings both at the 200 and 500 hour level. In addition, I take these concepts and practices into individual sessions as a 2nd year candidate Yoga Therapist.
If you’re interested in learning more about Yoga Therapy or my offerings visit my website.