HYBRID MENTAL HEALTH TRAINING FOR YOGA TEACHERS

By the end of the training, you’ll have an in-depth understanding of the Six Pillars of Mental Health Aware Yoga.

In the first pillar, we look at mental health through the lens of Western Psychology including depressive, anxiety and trauma disorders as well as stress and co-morbidity.

In the second pillar, we explore the foundations of Yoga Psychology, including Patañjali’s model of yoga psychology, mental health and the gunas, koshas and kleśhas, yoga as cultivating sattva, saṃskāra and non-dualism.

In the third pillar, you will learn how to Create a Safe Container, including the sacred role of the teacher, professional boundaries, creating a safe and nourishing environment for your students, ethics, touch and hands-on assists, scope of practice, mentoring and self practice, self care and self enquiry.

In the fourth pillar, you will learn Therapeutic Skills for Yoga Teachers, including meeting your students where they are, the rhythm of a yoga class, skillful language, effective listening and unconditional positive regard.

In the fifth pillar, we will explore traditional and evidence-based Yogic Practices for mental health, including yoga and mental health research, assessing (not diagnosing) your students, āsana, prāṇāyāma, meditation, contraindications (what to avoid), compassionate non-judgemental witnessing presence, sankalpa bhâvâna and teaching themes.

In the sixth pillar of Mental Health Aware Yoga, you will learn what to do in a Mental Health Crisis, including how to respond when students cry, what to do if a student has a panic attack , trauma reaction or discloses suicide ideation or self harm.

Read more about what we cover in the six pillars here.

Following completion of the Mental Health Aware Yoga training, yoga teachers will be able to:

1. Articulate why knowledge of mental health is important for yoga teachers.
2. Identify Western Psychology diagnostic criteria for depression, anxiety, trauma and stress.
3. Discuss basic yoga psychology, including Patañjali’s 8 limbs, gunas and koshas.
4. Create a safe container for students in a yoga class.
5. Use appropriate therapeutic skills in a yoga class.
6. Assess their own and their students’ emotional needs and practice/teach appropriate yoga practices to meet these needs.
7. Identify what to do in a mental health crisis.

Dr Lauren worked with an education and instructional course designer to make this course the best educational experience possible.

Yes, this course is accredited with both Yoga Alliance and Yoga Australia.  You will receive a certificate of completion (PDF) once you have completed the course to lodge with your accreditation body.

The course takes approximately 60 hours to complete, including 14 hours at the in-person event, 17.5 hours online training (lectures and questionnaires) and 28.5 hours reflective practice and self-directed practicum tasks.

Yoga Australia members can claim 45.75 CPD points.

Yoga Alliance members can claim 14 contact and 46 non-contact hours.

During to COVID-19, Yoga Alliance have advised that “RYTs may count online courses taken during this time as contact hours for Continuing Education (CE) requirements.”

If you would like to claim CPD points with another organisation, you can take the certificate you receive upon completion of the training to your accreditation body; this is usually sufficient.

Yes!

Mental Health Aware Yoga is designed to apply to ANY style of yoga teaching.

Mental Health Aware Yoga is not a new brand or style of yoga, but rather a set of principles that can be applied to any style of yoga that you are teaching.

You can watch videos from a few of our graduates who teach different styles of yoga, including:

Kate Pippos | Head of Yoga at Virgin Active | Vinyasa, Hatha and Yin Yoga

Andrew Olsen | Yoga Teacher and Physiotherapist | Gentle Vinyasa Yoga

Fuyuko Toyota | iRest Australia | Gentle Hatha Yoga and iRest Meditation

Rachel Zinman | Yoga Teacher and Mentoring | ISHTA Yoga

Libbie Nelson | Yoga Therapist and Physiotherapist | Iyengar Yoga

Sarah Truman | Yoga Teacher and Therapist | Somatic Movement, Yin, Trauma-informed and Restorative Yoga

This training would be a wonderful bridge for you to bring the worlds of psychology and yoga together.

The course doesn’t train people to become therapists, but with your qualifications and experience, you will no doubt be able to draw on your existing knowledge and experience in this area, and integrate it with all the yoga practices and concepts we cover in the course.

With your background as a mental health professional, it’s likely that you will already have the some of the knowledge that we cover in the Western Psychology and Mental Health Crisis sections (two of the six pillars of Mental Health Aware Yoga), however the other four pillars will give you much insight into teaching yoga to students with mental health challenges. The course really pulls these two worlds together, and will help you to integrate what you learnt in your Yoga Teacher Training course with what you already know as a therapist.

The training doesn’t give you set class plans for different diagnoses, yoga for mental health is not that simple, but it will give you a framework and a lot of different practises, that you can bring together to share with your students.

We have had many psychologists, social workers, counsellors and other mental health professionals complete the training, and have told us that they have benefited greatly and are using the knowledge they learnt in the course in their classes and clinical practice. Listen to what Julie Clark, a counsellor and yoga teacher had to say about the training below.

Julie Clark | Counsellor and Yoga Teacher

If you are not a Yoga Teacher (or teacher-in-training), join us for the Yoga Skills for Health Professionals training instead.

Many of our graduates who are trained yoga therapists tell us that they learnt so much more about yoga for mental health in the Mental Health Aware Yoga training, than they did in their Yoga Therapy trainings.

If you are a yoga therapist who would like to specialise in mental health, but feel like you need further education and training to feel confident in prescribing yoga for mental illness, or would like to more deeply understand the link between western and yogic psychology or learn more about the yoga psychology research, then the Mental Health Aware Yoga training would be great way to do this.

Here is what Sarah Truman, a yoga therapist, said recently about the Mental Health Aware Yoga training:

“I loved this program! After my Yoga Therapy training, I wanted to specialise in mental health, so I completed many different trainings on trauma-sensitive yoga, attachment and somatics. And then I found Dr Lauren Tober’s Mental Health Aware Yoga training!

This training isn’t like any of the others I’ve done before. It combines the knowledge of western psychology with yoga psychology, in a really unique way I haven’t seen before, and is the perfect next step if you have already taken a trauma-sensitive yoga or Yoga Therapy training, and want to deepen your skills and increase your confidence in yoga for mental health.

The training will teach you how to use the right tools, for the right clients, and the right time, and this is invaluable. 

I’m super proud to be a graduate of the Mental Health Aware Yoga training, and I encourage all Yoga Teachers and Yoga Therapists to take this program!”

To hear from three of our graduates who were already yoga therapists before taking the training, listen to Sarah Truman, Fuyuko Toyota and Libbie Nelson.

Sarah Truman | Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist

Fuyuko Toyota | Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Senior iRest Trainer

Libbie Nelson | Yoga Therapist and Physiotherapist

While many therapists are undertaking the Mental Health Aware Yoga training, the program was designed specifically for yoga teachers.

The only prerequiste for the training is that you’re already a yoga teacher (or teacher-in-training).  You do not need to be a therapist.

In the training you will learn therapeutic skills for yoga teachers, like meeting your students where they are, the rhythm of a yoga class, skillful language, effective listening and unconditional positive regard.

To hear from a one of our yoga teacher graduates watch this video with Rachel.

Rachel Zinman | Yoga Teacher + Trainer | ISHTA Yoga

Many of our graduates who have previously taken a trauma-informed or trauma-sensitive yoga training tell us that by taking the Mental Health Aware Yoga training, they extended their existing knowledge, and were grateful to learn more about other mental health diagnoses, about both western and yogic psychology, and learn many new practices and sequences for emotion and nervous system regulation.

While the Mental Health Aware Yoga training is most definitely grounded in trauma-informed teaching, our training differs from other trauma-informed or trauma-sensitive yoga training in some important ways.

Firstly, the Mental Health Aware Yoga training covers depression, anxiety, stress and trauma, so we take a broader look at mental health, not just at trauma.

Secondly, we explore mental health through the lenses of both Western psychological disorders and yoga psychology, making the link between the medical model and the Yoga Sutras, which is often not included in trauma-informed or trauma-sensitive yoga trainings.

Thirdly, the training is taught by a clinical psychologist and yoga teacher, Dr Lauren Tober, and she brings her wealth of experience in both these domains to the training.

And finally, while we go into a lot of detail about how to create safety for our students experiencing mental health challenges, we go beyond this, and look at yoga practices and sequencing for down-regulation (reducing rajas) and up-regulation (reducing tamas) in order to cultivate positive mental health states and nervous system regulation (sattva).

Here is what Sarah Truman, a yoga teacher and therapist who had completed a trauma-sensitive yoga training, recently said about the Mental Health Aware Yoga training:

“I loved this program! After my Yoga Therapy training, I wanted to specialise in mental health, so I completed many different trainings on trauma-sensitive yoga, attachment and somatics. And then I found Dr Lauren Tober’s Mental Health Aware Yoga training!

This training isn’t like any of the others I’ve done before. It combines the knowledge of western psychology with yoga psychology, in a really unique way I haven’t seen before, and is the perfect next step if you have already taken a trauma-sensitive yoga or Yoga Therapy training, and want to deepen your skills and increase your confidence in yoga for mental health.

The training will teach you how to use the right tools, for the right clients, and the right time, and this is invaluable. 

I’m super proud to be a graduate of the Mental Health Aware Yoga training, and I encourage all Yoga Teachers and Yoga Therapists to take this program!”

To hear from two of our graduates who have previously trained in trauma-informed yoga, listen to Fuyuko Toyota and Sarah Truman.

Sarah Truman | Yoga Teacher and Yoga Therapist

Fuyuko Toyota | Yoga Teacher, Yoga Therapist and Senior iRest Trainer

Yes! Unlike the self-paced online Mental Health Aware Yoga Training, with the hybrid training there is a two day in-person event to attend.

To receive your certificate of completion, you must complete the entire online component of the training and attend the entire two days of the in-person event.

As soon as you join the training, you will have access to our online Shala, where you can access the lessons, yoga classes, questionnaires and assignments that must be completed prior to the in-person event.  This online component is pre-recorded and self-paced, so you can access it whenever you like, and work through the course material at your convenience.

The online component takes around 46 hours to complete, so we recommend signing up as early as possible, so you can work slowly and steadily through the course material in the lead up to the in-person event. However, if you work well with a deadline, you could sign up just one week prior to the in-person event, and dedicate the entire week to the online component of the training.

We think that the hybrid training is the best of both worlds; you get the flexibility and structure of the online component and the intimacy and connection of an in-person event!

However, if you’d prefer 100% online training, then we have you covered. Go here to see our online training.

As soon as you sign up to a hybrid Mental Health Aware Yoga training you will get access to the online component of the training, including lectures, yoga classes, multiple choice questionnaires and assignments.

Getting all the online lectures prior to the in-person event means that you can watch them in your own time, pause the videos as you take notes and re-watch any videos that light you up or just need a little extra consolidation time.

The assignments are designed to support you to integrate and embody the teachings and include journalling, practicing yoga and trying out some of the concepts from the training in your yoga teaching (if you’re not currently teaching, you can practice teaching with friends instead).

There is approximately 46 hours of online material (including the lectures, questionnaires, yoga practices and assignments) to be complete before the in-person component of the training.

We recommend signing up as early as possible, so you can work slowly and steadily through the online course material in the lead up to the in-person event. However, if you work well with a deadline, you could sign up just one week prior to the in-person event, and dedicate the entire week to in-person component of the training.

We ask that you complete the online component of the training before the in-person component.

There is approximately 46 hours of online learning, but this will vary from person-to-person, depending on the speed you work at and the depth of your integration and embodiment.  The more you put into this training, the more you will get out.

This 46 hours includes around 8 hours of video lectures, multiple choice questionnaires (these are actually fun!), yoga classes, reflections and assignments.

You will get access to the online component of the training as soon as you sign up, and to receive your certificate, the online component must be completed before the in-person event.

After successfully completing both the online and the in-person components of the training, you will be invited to join our global Teachers’ Community, at a small cost, and you can continue to access all the training material (as it’s updated) as well as additional group mentoring, masterclasses and resources.

Yes!  All the online course material was created by Dr Lauren Tober, including the video lectures, yoga classes and practice library.

At present, Lauren is the lead teacher on the in-person component of the hybrid training, however this might change in the future. She may also be assisted by Mental Health Aware Yoga graduates.

You are also welcome to book additional private mentoring sessions with Lauren during or after the course, at an additional cost. Lauren’s private sessions are often booked out, however Mental Health Aware Yoga students and graduates are given priority.

Taking the online component of the course does require some computer skills.  But if you can use email and Facebook, it’s likely you have enough computer skills to take the course.

We have designed the course website to be super-intuitive and easy to use (not to mention beautiful).

We’re also backed up with an amazing IT support team, so if you have any issues, we’ll have you covered.

Our students who identify as not very techy, have told us they found the program very intuitive and easy to navigate.

The online component of the course is taught in our online Shala; a custom built membership website that hosts all our online courses and trainings.

Once you sign up, you will receive an email within a few minutes with your personal log in details for the Shala.

The online component of the course is approximately 46 hours and consists of 8 hours of video/audio lectures, multiple choice questionnaires (these are actually fun!), yoga classes, reflections and assignments.

After each lecture you will complete a multiple choice questionnaire (no trick questions, if you have watched the lectures these are really straight forward) and after each section there are self directed practicum tasks including writing reflective journals, attending live yoga classes of your choice (in person or online), practicing pre-recorded yoga classes and practices with Dr Lauren Tober, teaching yoga classes using the principles of Mental Health Aware Yoga and more.

You will also receive an in-depth PDF training manual (over 200 pages) that you can work with online, or print out to bring to the in-person component.

The in-person component of the course includes in-depth discussions, participating and teaching yoga classes and practices, and the opportunity to build community with like-minded teachers.

The fact that you’re asking this question tells me you’re likely a great fit for the Mental Health Aware Yoga training!

In a landmark study several years ago, Penman surveyed 3,832 Australian yoga students and teachers and found that 58.4% of yoga students began yoga to reduce stress or anxiety and 79.4% of yoga students continued to practice yoga to reduce stress or anxiety (Penman did not mention other mental health issues in his research, so it’s likely to be even higher).

He suggested that mental health may be the primary health reason why people practise yoga.

Here is the reference:
Penman, S., Cohen, M., Stevens, P., & Jackson, S. (2012). Yoga in Australia: Results of a National Survey. International Journal of Yoga, 5(2), 92–101.

If you like to nerd out on this kind of research, you’re going to love the Mental Health Aware Yoga training!

Dr Lauren Tober is a Clinical Psychologist, Senior Yoga Teacher, certified iRest Meditation and Mindfulness-based Cognitive Therapy Teacher, founder of the Yoga Psychology Institute, host of the A Grateful Life Podcast and author of Mental Health Aware Yoga: A Guide for Yoga Teachers.

Lauren has been working as a Psychologist since 2003, teaching yoga since 2004, training yoga teachers since 2010 and teaching online since 2011. She’s been doing this work for over 20 years!

Lauren loves her work with a passion, and is considered by many to a leader in the field of yoga and mental health.

For some of our hybrid trainings we offer our Mental Health Aware Yoga graduates the opportunity to attend the in-person component of the hybrid training to re-immerse in the teachings and gather together in community.

The two day in-person event includes:

• Reviewing the six pillars of Mental Health Aware Yoga
• Joining us for yoga classes and practices
• Practicing teaching each other and receiving loving feedback
• Opening for questions and group discussions (this is where the magic happens!)
• Exploring case studies
• Coming together in community for connection and lifelong sanga

If you’ve graduated from either an online or hybrid training and you’d like to attend the in-person component of a up-coming hybrid training, get in touch and ask us how.

We take the health of our students and teaching faculty seriously, and ask that you do not attend the in-person component of the training if you have any contagious illness. See our cancellation policy below for details about what happens if you are unwell and unable to attend.

Please choose your purchase carefully, as no refunds, credits or transfers are available.

If you are unable to attend the in-person component of the training due to illness or genuine emergency, you may transfer to the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training instead at our discretion, at no additional cost.

While we will endeavor to deliver the in-person component of the training as advertised, should circumstances change due to reasons beyond our control (e.g. illness, government restrictions, flight delays, natural disasters etc), then we will make alternative arrangements that may include a different teaching faculty, new location, re-scheduling to a different time and/or delivering the program online.  If the changes mean that you are unable to attend the in-person component, then you may choose to transfer to the online Mental Health Aware Yoga training instead, at no additional cost.

You can read our full T&Cs here.

We look forward to welcoming you to the training!

Yay, let’s do this!

Simply scroll down to the bottom of the page (or click here to be taken straight there), find the location you would like to attend and click on the GET STARTED TODAY button. You’ll then be taken to our order page, where you can choose between the upfront payment or the deposit, and you can enter your payment details (either credit card or PayPal).

Once you payment has been processed, we’ll send you a welcome email with everything you need to know to get started.

See you in the Shala!