Trauma-Aware Yoga considers the needs of those who have experienced significant trauma in their lives. Led by Chris Thompson-Lang, this course provides yoga teachers and individuals with the tools to create a ‘safe space’ and offer the optimal conditions for students with trauma related health concerns such as occupational trauma, chronic stress, physical injuries, adrenal and chronic fatigue to use yoga to progress their recovery.
Trauma-Aware Yoga Teacher Training
Trauma-Aware Yoga Teacher Training
Trauma can affect how we experience our bodies, respond to stress and connect with the world around us. Understanding these effects can help yoga teachers and wellbeing practitioners create more supportive, inclusive and responsive environments.
This four-day experiential training explores the foundations of Trauma-Aware Yoga, combining theoretical learning, guided yoga sessions and practical workshops. You’ll develop a deeper understanding of trauma and its potential impacts, with a particular focus on the nervous and endocrine systems.
You’ll also explore how to incorporate trauma-aware principles into your teaching, including how to structure classes and create supportive environments that respect individual needs, choice and autonomy.
Whether you’re a yoga teacher looking to expand your skills or someone interested in deepening your understanding of trauma and wellbeing, this training offers a valuable opportunity to learn, practise and reflect in a supportive residential setting.
Find what you’re looking for below:
What’s Included in your Training
- 3 nights accommodation on-site
- Three meals each day featuring light, nourishing sattvic vegetarian cuisine
- Herbal teas and fruit available throughout the day, with sweet treats and cold drinks available for purchase
- Daily training and instruction across theory, practical workshops and experiential sessions
- Trauma-Aware training manual
- Twice-daily yoga practices—morning and afternoon
- Guided meditation, mindfulness and breath-awareness sessions
- Facilitated reflection and peer discussion
- Evening sessions supporting learning, connection and integration
- Use of the mineral salt swimming pool
- Time to relax and enjoy the retreat centre
Trauma-Aware Yoga Teacher Training Dates
This is a 4 day yoga teacher training, and we recommend pairing it with our 4 day Trauma 2.0 Yoga Teacher Training for a more complete, immersive experience.
4-Day Residential
Investment: from $1,590
Includes full course content, all meals and training manuals, all meals and 3 nights’accommodation.
Early bird: from $1,490 (book 8 weeks in advance).
Payment plan available.
| Dates | RG TEST - Programs | Register |
|---|---|---|
| May 8 - 11, 2027 | 4 Day Trauma-Aware Yoga Teacher Training | Register Now |
8-Day Residential
Investment: from $3,180
Includes Trauma-Aware Yoga Teacher Training + Trauma-Aware 2.0 Teacher Training, training manuals, all meals and accommodation.
+ complimentary 2 nights acommodation in between trainings to relax and enjoy Byron Bay.
Early bird: from $2,980 (book 8 weeks in advance).
Payment plan available.
| Dates | RG TEST - Programs | Register |
|---|---|---|
| May 8 - 16, 2027 | 8 Day Trauma-Aware Yoga Teacher Training | Register Now |
Already a Yoga Teacher? You may be able to claim this course on Tax as a work related self-education expense. Read more here.
Course Content
Through a combination of theoretical sessions, practical workshops and guided Trauma-Aware Yoga classes, you’ll explore the foundations of trauma-aware practice and how to apply these principles when supporting students.
The training covers the physiological aspects of trauma, including the nervous and endocrine systems, alongside practical approaches to teaching that encourage choice, autonomy and individual participation.
What you’ll explore
- Understanding trauma: Explore common ways trauma can present in students and its potential impacts on wellbeing.
- Different trauma experiences: Develop an understanding of how trauma can affect people in different ways.
- The nervous system: Deepen your knowledge of the nervous system and its role in stress and trauma responses.
- The endocrine system: Explore the endocrine system and its relationship with stress and trauma.
- Experiencing Trauma-Aware Yoga: Participate in guided classes to explore trauma-aware principles through practice.
- Trauma-aware teaching: Learn how to structure classes and create supportive environments that encourage choice and individual autonomy.
- Discussion and reflection: Take the opportunity to discuss key concepts with fellow participants and trauma professionals.
- Meditation and breath awareness: Complement your learning with guided evening meditation and breath awareness sessions.
You’ll also have time to relax by the pool and enjoy the peaceful surrounds of Byron Yoga Centre.
You’ll graduate with…
A deeper understanding of trauma and its effects on the body, including the role of the nervous and endocrine systems in stress responses and wellbeing.
Practical tools and approaches to incorporate trauma-aware principles into your yoga teaching, with greater awareness of individual needs, choice and supportive class environments.
Greater confidence in creating inclusive and supportive yoga spaces that encourage body awareness, relaxation and individual autonomy.
This 25 hour training can be counted as your CPD (Continuous Professional Development) as required by Yoga Alliance (YACEP) and Yoga Australia.
In order to teach Trauma-Aware Yoga, you will need to complete a Level 1, 200hr yoga teacher training.
4 Day Training Schedule
Day 1
| 2:00pm - Arrive and settle in to your accommodation |
| 3:00pm - Welcome Circle |
| 4:00pm - Yoga practice |
| 6:00pm - Dinner |
| 7:00pm - Meditation |
| 9:00pm - Whisper time |
Days 2-3
| 6:45am - Yoga Practice |
| 8:00am - Breakfast |
| 9:00am - Theory and Methodology workshop |
| 10:30am - Break |
| 11:00am - Theory and Methodology workshop |
| 12:30pm - Lunch |
| 2:00pm - Theory and Methodology workshop |
| 4:00pm - Practical teaching experience |
| 6:00pm - Dinner |
| 7:00pm - Self study |
| 9:00pm - Whisper time |
Day 4
| 6:45am - Yoga practice |
| 8:00am - Breakfast, check out of rooms |
| 9:00am - Theory and Methodology workshop |
| 11:00am - Closing Circle |
| Noon - Departure (you are welcome to stay on to use the facilities and have lunch) |
What our students say…
Meet your Teacher
Chris Thompson-Lang
This course is led by the incredible Chris Thompson-Lang. Chris is a contributing author to Moral Injury: Unseen Wounds in an Age of Barbarism by Professor Tom Frame (Editor), a Senior Yoga Teacher Trainer, Trauma Aware Yoga Educator, Visiting Lecturer on Leadership Wellbeing to the Australia War College, on Moral Injury to the Defence Force Chaplains College and Co-founder of Frontline Yoga.
Accommodation
At Byron Yoga Centre, we understand that your environment plays an important role in your teacher training experience. Our accommodation is simple, comfortable, and designed to support your study and practice.
Options range from affordable quad-share cabins with shared bathrooms to private ensuite rooms. Whichever you choose, you’ll have a calm and supportive space to rest, recharge, and integrate your learning after each day of training.
Vegetarian Menu
Training is hungry work, and nourishing your body is an essential part of supporting your study and practice. At Byron Yoga Centre, most of the fresh produce for our vegetarian meals comes straight from our 3 acres of organic gardens.
Our menus are designed to be balanced, cleansing, and deeply nourishing, giving you the energy you need to sustain intensive days of training. Guided by our SLOW philosophy, we use super-fresh, organic, and seasonal ingredients, sourced from our gardens whenever possible, and supplemented with local produce. The result is toxin-free, nutrient-rich meals that taste as good as they make you feel.
Residential Facilities
As a teacher training student, you’ll have exclusive access to our 15 acres of retreat grounds. Stroll through 3 acres of organic fruit, vegetable, and herb gardens, swim in the solar-heated 20-metre magnesium mineral salt pool, or unwind in the tranquil Balé surrounded by banana trees. Or stay an extra night to really appreciate the facilities and explore Byron Bay.
Commitment to
Sustainability
For over three decades, Byron Yoga Centre, led by John Ogilvie, has been on a dedicated journey to weave sustainability into the very fabric of our ethos. We recognise the profound interconnectedness between our well-being, the health of our planet, and the vitality of our shared communities. Our commitment to sustainability isn’t just a choice; it’s a way of life. This includes solar power, rainwater harvesting, eco-friendly toilets, recycling intiatives, composting, and community outreach.
