Trauma-informed yoga is a quickly growing trend in the yoga community. And for good reason! Everyone is affected by trauma differently. Whether the lasting effects stem from childhood or adulthood, if not treated, can last a lifetime. Studies have shown that the movement of yoga combined with meditation and mindful breathing has significantly improved sufferer’s overall health and well-being.
Before we get into the best online certifications for trauma-informed yoga, let’s talk about what it is exactly. Per The International Journal of Complementary & Alternative Medicine, “trauma-informed yoga refers to the approach to teaching yoga in which the teachers know about trauma and the symptoms of trauma, as well as know how to provide a safe and supportive yoga class for individuals who are experiencing stress and have been traumatized.”
These classes typically include inclusive and open language, a slower pace than your usual vinyasa class, and modifications for freedom of movement.
The best trauma-informed yoga certifications online are:
If you want to learn more about helping those needing this specialized yoga therapy and become certified as a trauma-informed yoga practitioner, read on for further information about the best certifications we have researched.
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What is a Trauma-Informed Certification?
A trauma-informed certification consists of practical educational techniques and methods to incorporate into their client’s recovery. The teacher’s goal is to help empower students to determine what is best for their recovery by providing a path.
Examples of trauma can include but are not limited to:
- Physical, mental, verbal, or sexual abuse
- Early childhood or domestic violence
- Being displaced due to disasters, terrorism, refugee or job loss
Trauma-informed yoga is a specialized niche in the yoga industry where the instructor serves as a guide to assist a patient in:
- Reclaiming their bodies
- Recalibrating their nervous system
- Engage in the present using meditation
- Taking back their power
- Regulation of processing sensations and emotions
- Releasing of trauma stored in the muscles
Adults and children suffering from trauma may not be ready to discuss their feelings or be physically touched. In a trauma-informed yoga class, attendees receive time and space to re-learn these emotional regulation skills through breathing and movement in a safe environment.
SAMHSA, The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration Studies, has recently accepted this type of therapy as an evidence-based treatment. Studies have shown trauma-informed yoga has helped individuals cope with stress, self-regulation of their bodies, emotions, and overall well-being.
Many Trauma-Informed Yoga Certifications are also recognized by the Yoga Alliance as counting towards CEUs, continuing education yoga requirements. The Yoga Alliance is a U.S.-based organization that creates yoga standards for all yoga-based training and professionals worldwide.
The 4 Best Trauma-Informed Yoga Certifications Online
Before choosing a certification program, you must have all the facts to find the best option. Here is an in-depth look at the best trauma-informed yoga certifications online and what they offer anyone wanting to become a certified practitioner.
This 40-hour training from My Vinyasa Practice teaches you how to hold a compassionate and effective environment for your students. You will learn skills to support your students’ healing journey by promoting resilience, emotional regulation, and self-compassion, achieved through mindful movement and breathwork.
The Yoga Alliance has approved all online training programs, and credits count towards continuing education course unit requirements. This course counts for 40 non-contact hours.
Course Educational Content:
- Learning about the central nervous system, the brain, and trauma
- Storing trauma and poses to avoid
- Discussion of the healing cycle and stress responses
Included in the package:
- All written education and recorded lectures
- All pre-recorded yoga practices and scripts
- Instructions for all of the practices and lectures
- How to apply learning and open reflection
- Lifetime access to the community boards
- Peer support team unlimited access
- 30-day refund policy
For more information on this excellent school, check out this My Vinyasa Practice review!
Key Facts:
- Format (Online/Hybrid/In-person): Online
- Hours of study: 40 hours
- Duration: At your own pace.
- Price/Payment option: a one-time fee of $179 or six monthly payments of $90
- Certification/Accreditation: Registered Yoga School with Yoga Alliance
This Whole Health Project 60-hour Trauma Aware Yin, Yoga Teacher Training, offers an immersive and all-encompassing experience designed to equip you with the knowledge and confidence to embody and teach Trauma-Informed yin yoga. This course explores the 5 Element Theory from Traditional Chinese Medicine, merging ancient wisdom with contemporary scientific insights. Your coursework includes the 13 meridians, the Five-element theory, the physical and subtle energy bodies, and much more!
Additionally, it includes their 10-hour Trauma Aware Facilitation Training, which will allow you to effectively support a diverse range of students, regardless of age, body type, or ability.
This online, self-paced training is an ideal choice to immerse yourself in yin yoga fully and teach from a place of compassion and inclusivity. TWHP offers continuous support with its teacher training, which includes a monthly live Q&A session and an online forum to address questions or concerns.
Key Facts:
- Format (Online/Hybrid/In-person): Online
- Hours of study: 60 hours
- Duration: At your own pace.
- Price/Payment option: $529, payment plans available
- Certification/Accreditation: N/A
Happy Jack Yoga University is an online yoga school for yogis who want to get certified on their schedule from the comfort of their own homes. In this course, you will better understand yourself and others, become more aware of the impact of trauma, and apply the approach to your teaching.
This course is for those who want to:
- Understand trauma and its impact
- Learn how to cater to students who have experienced trauma
- Teach trauma-sensitive yoga classes
You can complete this program in one week if you’d like. A typical day would look like a one-hour morning self-practice, a one-hour live sharing circle Q+A, a one-hour curriculum lecture, 1.5 hours of self-study, and ending with a half hour of evening meditation. But to reiterate, you can take your time with this course.
This course is also part of the Happy Jack University 300-hour curriculum. To obtain your 300-hour certification at this school, you can take any twelve 25-hour courses, including this one!
Key Facts:
- Format (Online/Hybrid/In-person): Online
- Hours of study: 25 hours
- Duration: At your own pace.
- Price/Payment option: $225.00
- Certification/Accreditation: Registered Yoga School with Yoga Alliance
This 25-hour course from The Trauma-Conscious Yoga Method combines trauma-informed yoga therapy, indigenous healing practices, and somatic psychotherapy. Led by Nityda Gessel, you will also study neuroscience, social justice, and trauma healing to integrate into your curriculum.
When completed, teachers will be certified and recognized by Yoga Alliance as having 20 non-contact continuing education hours in the Trauma-Conscious Yoga Method. Many mental health licensing boards approve it and will count for 25 continuing education credits.
Sample Course Educational Content:
- Understanding trauma and PTSD, including neuroscience and Polyvagal Theory
- The relationship between social justice and collective trauma healing
- Trauma-Conscious Yoga and Somatic Psychotherapy Practices
Identifying trauma in the brain, mind, body, and spirit and the role of yoga - Assessment and Chakra Psychology
- Incorporate the Trauma-Conscious Method into current talk therapy practices
Included in the package:
- Lifetime access to all course content
- Access to The TCYM Teacher Training Alumni FaceBook group after course completion
- Online consultation groups once a month after course completion
The Trauma Conscious Yoga Method is a good choice for not just yoga practitioners. It can benefit mental health professionals, coaches, and medical professionals. Whatever your profession, you’ll learn how to empower, heal, and resist re-traumatization.
Key Facts:
- Format (Online/Hybrid/In-person): Online
- Hours of study: 25 hours
- Duration: At your own pace.
- Price/Payment option: $800 or four payments of $200 a month
- Certification/Accreditation: Registered Yoga School with Yoga Alliance
Which is the Best Trauma-Informed Certification Online for you?
That’s entirely up to you and your goals! If you’re looking for one of the cheapest yoga teacher training programs available, My Vinyasa Practice could be for you. The Whole Health Project could be your answer if you would like to explore yin yoga and ancient wisdom.
Lastly, if you’re looking for teacher training that focuses more on mental health and for healthcare professionals, The Trauma-Conscious Yoga Method is your best bet. Regardless, all three trainings are online, at your own pace, focus on compassion and healing, and are a great addition to your current offerings.
Concluding Thoughts: Why Trauma-Informed Yoga?
Trauma-informed yoga has proven to be effective for the treatment of trauma in adults and youth. By taking any of these teacher trainings, you prioritize your students’ mental health by giving them the space to explore themselves and their healing.
The International Journal article “Trauma-Informed Yoga: An Embodied, Cognitive-Relational Framework” breaks down trauma-informed care into four principles. The first is inner resources, which focus on your empowerment and worth. The second is the physical basics, which focus on your safety, breath, presence, and feelings.
The third is self-regulation. This part encompasses grounding, choice, ownership, and sustainability. The last part is mindful grit, which focuses on compassion and self-determination. When compiled into a yoga class, all parts can change lives and create an open space for your students.
