You are invited to step into a journey of empowerment, to learn the power of Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga to heal & release trauma and to engage in a quest for wholeness.
Through the lens of Polyvagal Theory, you will learn about how the vagus nerve is a bi-directional information highway between mind and body—more importantly, you will learn breath, movement, and awareness practices that become the building blocks of a life-changing daily practice.
Stress and trauma can lead to imbalances in the physiology of the autonomic nervous system. If these imbalances are left unaddressed, they can lead to mental and physical health problems. Perhaps you are an individual who suffers with anxiety, depression, or the symptoms of post-traumatic stress. Maybe you are a therapist or yoga instructor who works to support the well-being of others. In either case, this course is developed to support you.
This course is open to anyone (i.e yoga teachers, therapists, parents, teachers, etc.) interested in the application of Polyvagal Theory from a multidisciplinary holistic approach. We will use psychology, meditation and yoga to embody these practices and learn to apply them in our everyday lives.
This 3-part Certificate training, comprised of Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3, will guide you through an experiential journey to support your wellness while connected to our online Embody Lab community.
Each level comprises 10 hours of study. Each 2.5-hour gathering focuses on encouraging your sense of connection in a caring online community, offers teaching about Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga, and guides you through an experiential yoga practice.
Level 1: Within the first ten hours of this training you will develop an understanding of the 8-limbs of yoga for trauma recovery. We will explore key elements of polyvagal theory as applied to yoga including how to integrate vagal toning, neuroception of psychological safety, and co-regulation within the practice. Each class offers lecture, practice, and group discussion. Classes are offered on a yoga mat, however accessible modifications and chair yoga alternatives are offered.
Level 2: Dr. Arielle Schwartz deepens your journey of Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga with topics that expand into the connection between stress, trauma, and your health. You will learn how trauma can dysregulate the nervous system and discover the tools to facilitate greater access balance and wellbeing. In the ten hours of level two we will apply core principles of body-centered psychotherapies into therapeutic yoga. You will also learn brain and body integration practices including bilateral movements and reflex integration. You will come away with compassion based practices to work through barriers to wellness.
Level 3: Dr. Arielle Schwartz helps you to compassionately explore how dissociation can show up in a yoga practice and discover pendulation strategies to navigate nervous system states. You will learn how to integrate parts work therapies to work with your internal family system through body dialogues on the yoga mat. We will deepen the journey through applied polyvagal theory in therapeutic yoga with restorative practices and a trauma-informed approach to meditation and yoga nidra. This 30 hour course concludes by teaching you tools to personalize the model to create therapeutic yoga practices for yourself, a student or a client including learning a model for a 6-week group class.
LEVEL 1: November 4th, 5th, 11th + 12th, 2023
Plus a live bonus session on November 28th, 2023
LEVEL 2: December 2nd, 3rd, 9th + 10th, 2023
LEVEL 3: January 20th, 21st, 27th + 28th, 2024
Plus a live bonus session on January 31st, 2024
This 30-hour Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery certificate program will run live on zoom
LEVEL 1:
• November 4th,5th, 11th + 12th, 2023
Each day will consist of 2.5 hours of training from 10:30am – 1pm ET.
• November 28th, 2023: Live Bonus Session with Dr. Arielle Schwartz and Deb Dana from 12:30pm – 2pm ET
LEVEL 2:
• December 2nd, 3rd, 9th + 10th, 2023
Each day will consist of 2.5 hours of training from 10:30am – 1pm ET.
LEVEL 3:
• January 20th, 21st, 27th + 28th, 2024
Each day will consist of 2.5 hours of training from 10:30am – 1pm ET.
• January 31st, 2024: Live Bonus Session with Dr. Arielle Schwartz and Dr. Stephen Porges from 11am – 12:30pm ET
This 30-hour Certification program is based upon Dr. Schwartz’s Vagus Nerve Yoga classes and her books, Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery (PESI Publishing, 2022), The Therapeutic Yoga Flip Chart (Pesi Publishing, 2023) and forthcoming book, Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga (Norton, 2024).
Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery bridges this path of healing between the psyche and the body by walking you through the sacred practice of yoga so you can release the burdens of trauma from your body and mind.
Grounded within the principles of polyvagal theory, affective neuroscience, and trauma-informed care, this book will help you gain a better understanding of how our brains and bodies respond to stress and trauma and offer a self-led healing journey toward feeling more empowered, grounded, clearheaded, inspired, and at ease.
The Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Flip Chart bridges a path of healing between the psyche and the body. Grounded within the principles of polyvagal theory, affective neuroscience, and trauma-informed care, this flip chart will help clients:
Applied Polyavagal Theory in Yoga focuses on the intersection of polyvagal theory, yoga, and psychotherapy by weaving together the wisdom tradition of yoga with neuroscience, attachment theory, somatic psychology, and traumatology. The application of polyvagal theory allows practitioners to compassionately support growth by enhancing the health of the autonomic nervous system, while therapeutic yoga allows one to attend to the interrelationships between mind, emotions, physiology, and behavior.
Applied polyvagal theory in yoga provides conscious breathing, vagal toning, mindful movement, and meditation practices that aid in rewiring the nervous system. Readers will discover how to help both clients and themselves cultivate a felt sense of ease during times of safety; enhance their capacity to handle challenges with equanimity; and reclaim their ability to recover from stress swiftly and efficiently. Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga offers practitioners a new and effective way to support clients who are stuck in a trauma response mode.
Arielle Schwartz, PhD, is a psychologist, internationally sought-out teacher, yoga instructor, and leading voice in the healing of PTSD and complex trauma. She is the author of five books, including The Complex PTSD Workbook, EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology, and The Post Traumatic Growth Guidebook.
Dr. Schwartz is an accomplished teacher who guides therapists in the application of EMDR, somatic psychology, parts work therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of trauma and complex PTSD. She guides you through a personal journey of healing in her Sounds True audio program, Trauma Recovery.
She has a depth of understanding, passion, kindness, compassion, joy, and a succinct way of speaking about very complex topics. She is the founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy in Boulder, Colorado where she maintains a private practice providing psychotherapy, supervision, and consultation. Dr. Schwartz believes that that the journey of trauma recovery is an awakening of the spiritual heart.
Arielle Schwartz, PhD, is a psychologist, internationally sought-out teacher, yoga instructor, and leading voice in the healing of PTSD and complex trauma. She is the author of five books, including The Complex PTSD Workbook, EMDR Therapy and Somatic Psychology, and The Post Traumatic Growth Guidebook.
Dr. Schwartz is an accomplished teacher who guides therapists in the application of EMDR, somatic psychology, parts work therapy, and mindfulness-based interventions for the treatment of trauma and complex PTSD. She guides you through a personal journey of healing in her Sounds True audio program, Trauma Recovery.
She has a depth of understanding, passion, kindness, compassion, joy, and a succinct way of speaking about very complex topics. She is the founder of the Center for Resilience Informed Therapy in Boulder, Colorado where she maintains a private practice providing psychotherapy, supervision, and consultation. Dr. Schwartz believes that that the journey of trauma recovery is an awakening of the spiritual heart.
