Full Course Description

Therapeutic Yoga in Clinical Practice

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Copyright : 09/09/2026

Mind-Body Medicine for Trauma Treatment

Join internationally recognized researcher and Harvard educator Sat Bir Singh Khalsa to explore scientific and clinical wisdom for applying yoga as a trauma therapy. Since trauma is not just a mental disorder but also a mind-body disorder, you’ll explore how yoga‑based and other somatic mind‑body therapies can offer effective, practical tools for supporting clients.

You’ll walk away with the skills to:

Support trauma clients through a holistic, mind-body lens
Explain the evidence base for the efficacy of yoga to your clients
Match mind-body interventions to the specific needs and readiness of your client

Program Information

Objectives

Describe the underlying pathophysiology of psychological trauma including the physical symptoms encountered in trauma.
Describe the physiological and psychological mechanisms through which mind‑body therapies may aid trauma recovery.
Summarize the current clinical research evidence supporting yoga‑based interventions for trauma and PTSD.

Outline

I. Introduction & Clinical Relevance

Overview of persistent challenges in trauma treatment
Why talk therapy or medication alone are limited in efficacy
Rationale for incorporating mind‑body approaches into trauma care

II. Trauma as a Mind‑Body Condition

Trauma‑related physiological dysregulation
Role of the autonomic nervous system in maintaining symptoms
How embodied stress responses can limit cognitive or verbal therapeutic access
Clinical implications for assessment and treatment planning

III. Scientific Rationale for Mind‑Body Therapies

Effects of yoga and somatic practices on:
- stress regulation
- emotional regulation
- mind-body awareness/mindfulness
- physical fitness and competence
- life meaning and purpose

IV. Research Evidence for Trauma‑Focused Mind‑Body Interventions

Overview of clinical trial findings on yoga‑based interventions for:
- PTSD severity
- Chronic stress and resilience
- mindfulness
- mood disturbance
- sleep disruption
- Comparison with conventional treatment outcomes
- Clinical implications:
  - identifying appropriate indications
  - use as adjunctive versus alternative approaches

V. Risks, Limitations & Ethical Considerations

Clinical limitations of mind‑body therapies, including variability in client acceptance
Potential for symptom activation without appropriate intervention delivery
Scope and boundaries of the current research base
Positioning mind‑body therapies within an integrated—not exclusive—treatment model

Target Audience

Counselors
Social Workers
Psychologists
Case Managers
Marriage and Family Therapists
Other Mental Health Professionals

Copyright : 09/09/2026

Bringing Mind-Body Medicine into Therapy

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Copyright : 09/09/2026

From Insight to Embodiment

This session translates the growing research on yoga and somatic practices into practical, ethical, and clinically applicable tools that can be safely integrated into psychotherapy within scope of practice. You’ll develop skills to support nervous system regulation when cognitive insight alone is not accessible.

You’ll walk away with skills to:

Determine when embodied practices are appropriate and implement them safely and within scope of practice
Guide simple, effective practices (e.g., breath awareness, grounding, gentle movement) in a manner consistent with scope of practice
Integrate somatic interventions that complement existing modalities and remain within professional scope

Program Information

Objectives

Differentiate between top-down (cognitive) and bottom-up (physiological) approaches to trauma treatment and explain how they function together within scope of practice in clinical settings.
Identify at least three indicators of client readiness for introducing body-based (bottom-up) interventions within scope of practice in a therapeutic setting.
Demonstrate at least two simple, trauma-informed, and scope-appropriate practices (e.g., breath regulation, grounding, or gentle movement) that can be integrated into clinical sessions within scope of practice.

Outline

I. Introduction and Practice Gap

Brief overview of the growing evidence base for yoga‑informed and somatic approaches in trauma treatment
Limitations of relying solely on cognitive, top‑down interventions when clients are dysregulated
Common clinician concerns:
- Lack of training or confidence
- Ethical and scope‑of‑practice questions
Rationale for integrating simple, low‑risk embodied practices into psychotherapy

II. Trauma, the Nervous System, and Embodied Regulation

Overview of nervous system responses relevant to trauma
Differentiation between:
- Top‑down (cognitive, insight‑based) approaches
- Bottom‑up (physiological, body‑based) approaches
How physiological state impacts access to insight, reflection, and emotional processing
Why integrated approaches support clinical effectiveness

III. Trauma‑Informed Yoga Principles in Clinical Practice

Core principles of trauma‑informed and trauma‑sensitive yoga relevant to therapy settings
Distinction between teaching yoga and integrating regulation‑focused embodied practices
Importance of:
- Choice
- Pacing
- Consent
- Inclusive, invitational language
Cultural and individual considerations

IV. Clinical Readiness, Ethics, and Scope of Practice

Indicators of client readiness for embodied interventions
Situations in which body‑based practices may need to be modified or deferred
Ethical considerations:
- Informed consent
- Maintaining scope of competence
- Avoiding re‑enactment or overwhelm
Framing embodied practices as supportive regulation tools within psychotherapy

V. Introduction to Simple Trauma‑Informed Practices

Overview and demonstration of brief, scope‑appropriate practices, such as:
- Basic breath awareness
- Grounding and orienting techniques
- Gentle, accessible movement options
Emphasis on adaptability for seated or limited‑movement contexts
Use of language that supports autonomy and safety

VI. Experiential Practice and Application

Brief guided experiential practice of one or two techniques
Reflection on embodied experience
Discussion of how and when these practices may be integrated into sessions
Translation of experiential learning into clinical use

VII. Clinician Nervous System and Co‑Regulation

Role of the clinician’s nervous system in co‑regulation
How clinician regulation supports therapeutic presence and client safety
Simple strategies clinicians can use to support their own regulation in sessions

VIII. Summary and Clinical Takeaways

Review of key concepts and skills
Reinforcement of ethical, low‑risk integration of embodied practices
Encouragement toward continued learning and mindful practice integration

Target Audience

Counselors
Social Workers
Psychologists
Case Managers
Marriage and Family Therapists
Other Mental Health Professionals

Copyright : 09/09/2026

Embodied Practice

This experiential workshop helps clinicians move from insight into embodied practice. Participants will engage in guided, trauma-informed practices to understand how body-based interventions support regulation, and learn how to introduce them clearly, safely, and within scope of practice in clinical settings. The focus is on confidence, choice, and translation—knowing what to offer, how to offer it, and when it fits.

You’ll walk away able to:

Experience and demonstrate trauma-informed, body-based practices appropriate for clinical use
Use clear, invitational language that supports safety and client agency
Recognize and respond to nervous system cues in real time
Integrate brief, scope-appropriate practices into time-limited sessions

Program Information

Objectives

Demonstrate at least two trauma-informed, body-based practices appropriate for use within scope of practice in a clinical setting.
Apply invitational, choice-based language when introducing embodied practices to clients in a manner consistent with scope of practice.
Identify at least two client responses (e.g., increased regulation, discomfort, disengagement) and determine appropriate, scope-of-practice-aligned responses.
Describe how brief, guided practices can be adapted for use within scope of practice in time-limited therapy sessions.

Outline

Welcome & Bridge

Practice 1: Breath & Regulation

Guided Practice
“What did you notice?”
“How might this translate to a client session?

Practice 2: Grounding & Orientation

Noticing variability of experience
Reinforcing “optional” and “choice”

Practice 3: Gentle Movement

When movement helps/when it doesn’t

Clinical Translation

How to introduce these in session
Language examples
- “If you’d like …”
- “We could try …”
What to watch for
- Overwhelm
- Shutdown
- Resistance

Q&A

Closing Integration

One final brief practice
Key takeaway
- “Simple, optional, relational”

Target Audience

Counselors
Social Workers
Psychologists
Case Managers
Marriage and Family Therapists
Other Mental Health Professionals

Copyright : 09/09/2026

Trauma Informed Yoga in Action

Copyright : 09/09/2026

Nervous System Regulation in Practice

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Copyright : 09/10/2026

Integrating Yoga-Based Practices into Trauma Therapy

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Copyright : 09/10/2026

Moving Through Trauma with EMDR & Trauma-Informed Yoga

This engaging, experiential workshop invites clinicians into a dynamic, integrative approach that weaves together EMDR therapy and trauma informed yoga to support healing in both the mind and body. Participants will discover how the structured 8 phases of EMDR can come alive through embodied, body based practices inspired by the Eight Limbs of Yoga, offering a holistic, flowing pathway for processing trauma, regulating the nervous system, and cultivating more adaptive, resilient beliefs.

You’ll walk away with the skills to:

Regulate the nervous system using yoga‑informed practices within EMDR
Integrate bilateral, rhythmic, and body‑based interventions safely and effectively
Enhance co‑regulation and clinical presence through embodied awareness

Program Information

Objectives

Apply yoga‑informed, body‑based interventions across the 8 phases of EMDR to support nervous system regulation and trauma processing.
Identify and respond to somatic and nervous system cues using trauma‑informed principles of choice, pacing, and titration.
Integrate movement, breath, and attention practices to strengthen resourcing, support bilateral processing, and help clients embody adaptive beliefs.

Outline

Introduction

Mini EMDR-Inspired Yoga Experience
Ground participants in an embodied experience before introducing theory
Gentle arrival + orienting to the space
Trauma-informed invitation language (choice, consent, pacing)
Breath awareness + nervous system check-in
Bilateral-inspired movement:
- Alternating tapping or gentle cross-body movement
- Slow, rhythmic flow (e.g., seated twists, side stretches)
Brief reflection:
- “What did you notice in your body?”
- “What shifted, even slightly?”
Clinical Framing:
- Introduce connection to EMDR therapy
- Highlight body-based regulation as foundation for trauma work

Part 1

The 8 Phases of EMDR (Adult-Friendly + Somatic Lens)
Frame EMDR as a structured, phased approach to healing trauma that integrates brain, body, and belief systems
- History Taking & Treatment Planning- Understanding the story
  - Identifying targets
  - Assessing readiness and safety
- Preparation - Building safety and resources
  - Calm/safe place
  - Grounding + regulation skills
  - Introduction to body awareness
- Assessment - Activating the target
  - Identifying:
    - Negative cognition
    - Emotions
    - Body sensations
- Desensitization- Reprocessing and releasing
  - Bilateral stimulation (BLS)
  - Reduction of distress
  - Integration of somatic shifts
- Installation-Strengthening adaptive beliefs
  - Installing positive cognition
  - Embodying new beliefs
- Body Scan - Deepening somatic awareness and alignment
  - Noticing residual tension
  - Supporting full-body integration
- Closure - Returning to regulation
  - Grounding, Containment, Stabilization
- Reevaluation - Tracking change over time
  - Assessing progress
  - Identifying next targets

Part 2

The 8 Limbs of Yoga + EMDR Integration
Introduce Eight Limbs of Yoga as a holistic system for regulation, awareness, and integration
- Yama (External Ethics) Safety & relational boundaries - What Yamas may clients have challenges or misalignments with due to their experiences of trauma?
- Niyama (Internal Practices) Self-awareness & compassion - What Niyamas may clients lack or not have a strong relationship with due to experiences of trauma?
- Asana (Movement/Posture) Embodied awareness - How can specific Asanas help clients reconnect to body sensations and experiences in a gentle and supportive way?
- Pranayama (Breathwork) Nervous system rhythm + regulation -What types of pranayama can help clients navigate through their activated nervous system and regulate their nervous system during trauma reprocessing?
- Pratyahara (Turning Inward) Internal focus-How can Pratyahara supports EMDR Installation Phase by helping clients internalize positive beliefs and notice subtle shifts in the body?
- Dharana (Focused Attention) Effortful Concentration - How can the practice of Dharana support clients to tune into the body sensations, thoughts and feelings in an intentional way? 
- Dhyana (Meditation) Sustained attention - What types of Dhyana practices can help clients flow more naturally, allowing awareness to expand while remaining stable and centered?
- Samadhi (Integration & Connection) Transformation and meaning-making - How can we help clients find moments of Samadhi in their lives as they heal their experiences of trauma?

Experiential Integration

Target Audience

Counselors
Social Workers
Psychologists
Case Managers
Marriage and Family Therapists
Other Mental Health Professionals

Copyright : 09/10/2026

Embodied EMDR

Details coming soon!

Copyright : 09/10/2026

Balance, Gravity, and Ground

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Copyright : 09/10/2026

When Trauma Disrupts Balance

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Copyright : 09/10/2026

Closing Comments

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Copyright : 09/10/2026

Applied Polyvagal Theory in Therapeutic Yoga for Trauma Recovery

Trauma recovery is as much about healing the body as it is the mind. Yet, so often, the focus of healing involves retelling the story of the past without addressing the physiological imbalances that trauma leaves in its wake. While you might recognize the value of bringing the body into trauma treatment, you might not know how to do this effectively.

Join Arielle Schwartz, PhD, CCTP-II, E-RYT, international leading voice in the healing of PTSD and complex trauma as she bridges the path of healing between the psyche and the body. Grounded within the principles of Polyvagal Theory, affective neuroscience, and trauma-informed care, Dr. Schwartz will guide you through research-based somatic tools and yoga-based breath, movement, and awareness practices to reduce the burdens of trauma, anxiety, obsessive thinking, and feelings of hopelessness from your client’s body and mind!

Program Information

Objectives

Apply polyvagal theory within therapeutic yoga with researched practices for mind-body health.
Evaluate you client’s nervous system states as related to autonomic cues of stress and signs of safety.
Demonstrate grounding and orientating techniques that increase clients resources.

Outline

Applied Polyvagal Theory in Yoga for Trauma

Evidence showing how working with the body can maximize healing
Naturally stimulate the vagus nerve to enhance physical and emotional health
Skills to help clients come out of chronic stress
Yogic based breath, movement, and awareness practices
- conscious breathing is the fastest way to reduce stress and regulate nervous system
- Tools to help clients safely release stress and trauma from the body

Target Audience

Counselors
Social Workers
Psychologists
Case Managers
Addiction Counselors
Art Therapists
Marriage and Family Therapists
Nurses
Other Mental Health Professionals

Neuroplasticity in Trauma Recovery

More so than ever, being trauma-informed means understanding the ways that neuroplasticity allows clients to flourish after traumatic experiences. If we can help them change the way their traumatic memories are stored and take responsibility for the narratives that define their lives, we can foster post-traumatic growth. As clients feel stronger, more self-accepting, and have an increased sense of purpose and belonging, their symptoms will decrease, their relationships will deepen, and they can access greater joy, appreciation, and connection. This interactive workshop will empower you with practical tools—such as the six pillars of resilience—to facilitate a strength-based approach to trauma recovery. You’ll learn to:

Guide clients in revising their trauma narratives in a way that supports growth

Help clients attend to the impact of traumatic events on the body so they can build vagal tone and vagal efficiency—an embodied experience of safety and receptivity

Harness client’s inherent resilience by building on protective factors that help prevent PTSD

Help clients integrate new movement resources and release traumatic activation

Program Information

Objectives

Describe the role of neuroplasticity in healing trauma.
Identify resilience and protective factors against the development of PTSD.
Apply two neuromodulation interventions to support mind-body health and emotion regulation.

Outline

Neuroplasticity and Trauma Recovery

Understanding Neural Networks
Stress-Induced Neuroplasticity
Cultivating Positive Neuroplasticity through a Strength-Based approach to Care

Neuropsychotherapy and trauma treatment

How to Build Vagal Efficiency
Neuromodulation and Vagus nerve stimulation
Supporting clients with Embodied Self-Compassion Practices
How to support somatic repatterning
Limitations of the research and potential risks

Soul work in Psychotherapy

Embodied Spirituality as an intersection of Science, Soma, and Soul
Enhancing a sense of purpose with Clients’ Meaning Making
Aligning clients with their Values

Integration, Resilience, and Post Traumatic Growth

The 6 pillars of resilience
Factors of Post Traumatic Growth
How to help clients build their Resilience Recipe

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage and Family Therapists
Social Workers
Physicians
Psychologists
Addiction Counselors
Nurses

The Future of Trauma Therapy

Arielle Schwartz will explore the future of trauma treatment, discussing how neuroscience, embodiment, and compassionate presence are transforming clinical practice. With her unique expertise, she’ll share insights on integrating neurobiological principles, embodied healing, and self-compassion to support trauma survivors in deep and lasting ways. In this workshop she'll discuss:

How the neurobiology of trauma enables clinicians to use body-based interventions that help regulate the nervous system and restore safety
Healing involves the nervous system, not just thoughts—somatic tools are essential
Compassion drives recovery, through both therapist attunement and client self-kindness

Program Information

Objectives

Assess the impact of trauma on the brain and nervous system from a neuroscience perspective.
Demonstrate how embodied practices enhance trauma recovery.
Utilize self-compassion techniques to support both clients and therapists in trauma work.

Outline

Setting the Stage

The evolving landscape of trauma therapy.

Risks and Limitations

What we know – and what we don’t - in trauma therapy.

Neuroscience & Trauma

Understanding the brain-body connection.

The Role of Embodiment in Healing

Using somatic interventions to foster safety.

The Power of Compassionate Presence

How therapist attunement and self-compassion aid recovery.

Audience Q&A & Closing Reflections

Practical applications for everyday practice.

Target Audience

Counselors
Marriage and Family Therapists
Social Workers
Physicians
Psychologists
Addiction Counselors