When we regularly feel unsafe in our bodies due to chronic stress, chronic pain, illness or trauma, natural patterns within our nervous system can become patterns of dysregulation. If prolonged, these patterns can negatively impact our physical and psychological health, relationships, and ability to connect to joy, meaning and purpose. 

This therapeutic retreat integrates yoga therapy, trauma theory, PolyVagal theory, Internal Family Systems, Attachment Theory and Neuroscience and offers a holistic framework for embodiment, befriending your nervous system and cultivating physiological and psychological resilience. 

Each session will introduce trauma-informed, active and restorative yoga practices as opportunities to connect safely to your body, breath, heart and mind and nurture embodied resilience. We will explore cognitive and somatic approaches for calming and activating the nervous system, developing mindful insight into patterns that perpetuate suffering and transforming your relationship to stress, adversity and change. 

This retreat will also emphasize a relational, empowerment-based approach to healing interpersonal and collective trauma that honours the indigenous roots of yoga and acknowledges the complex ways systemic oppression impacts individuals and communities based on their unique cultural identities, social locations and roles. 

This program is for people who want to explore:

• How chronic stress and trauma can shape our nervous system and embodiment.
• A holistic biopsychosocial-spiritual framework for befriending your nervous system, cultivating optimal health and physiological and psychological resilience. 
• Trauma-informed yoga practices for nurturing regulation and resilience that address symptoms of chronic stress, trauma, PTSD, chronic pain, and chronic illness.
• Trauma-informed yoga practices for nurturing your body’s connective tissue and fascial system.
• A relational, empowerment-based approach to healing interpersonal and collective trauma in a supportive community of practice.

No previous yoga experience is required. 

What you will need:

Please dress in comfortable clothing that you can move in. You may want to have extra layers of clothing available for warmth. 

Yoga mats and props (bolsters, blocks, pillows, etc.) will be provided, but please bring your own if you have them.  

Participant Support 

These sessions are not a replacement for therapy. Implicit memories can emerge with somatic-based practices like yoga. Having support in place (such as a counsellor/therapist, Elder or a person you trust) to process these experiences is recommended.

A short online questionnaire will be included with your email confirmation and must be completed before the beginning of the first class on Oct 26th, 2023.

Investment:

Our Earlybird tuition price is $750 and available up to one month before the start date of the program.  Full tuition is $810.  Full payment is due one month before the program start date regardless of tuition price.

You can find our cancellation policy here

Schedule:

• Breakfast 8:00 – 9:00am
• Morning session 9:15am to noon
• Lunch noon to 1:00pm
• Afternoon session 3:00 – 6:00pm
• Dinner 6:00 – 7:00pm
• Evening session 7:30 – 9:30pm

Afternoon and evening sessions can vary.  Your program finishes with lunch on the last day.

Admission requirements: The student must have the desire and ability to learn.  Must demonstrate a capacity for responsible self care, responsible self organization and sound mental health.  The student must understand and speak English.

This program does not require approval by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.  As such, the registrar did not review this program. What does this mean? Click here to learn more.