Safeguarding students in the spirit of yoga philosophy and trauma-informed practice
A great opportunity to work with other teachers to explore inclusive, modern best practices in keeping students safe and using our knowledge of the nervous system. The workshop has been co-designed in the context of yoga philosophy and the teachers’ own lineages and training. It brings together opportunities to explore and question many recent developments in Western yoga along with our understanding of the ancient teachings.
The two sections of the workshop will include embodied, collaborative and discursive teaching and learning. A vegetarian and vegan lunch will be included.
10.30 -12.30 Bertie Jesson. Safeguarding students, duty of care and the ethical framework of the sutras
We all aim to teach accessible and inclusive classes. What is your ‘duty of care’ and is it ‘best practice’ to be mindful of ‘protected characteristics’? Do we have adequate qualifications in teaching vulnerable adults of any category to keep our professional development up to date?
We will explore the application of Pantanjali’s Yoga Sutras to a contemporary Western yoga class. We will focus on using the shastra to guide our teaching, honour our lineage and avoid appropriation. Ideas will be broken down through presentation, challenge, interactive small group exploration and plenary discussion.
13.30-16.00 Katrin Heuser. An introduction to trauma-informed practice
A practical introduction to trauma-informed practice for teaching and holding space within a studio environment. The work is based on the recognition that students may bring persistent pain, stress and past experiences to your class and these will affect their engagement with your teaching.
The training provides a professional baseline for safer, more inclusive teaching. It combines a clear understanding of the nervous system with practical tools which can be applied immediately.
You will learn more about how the nervous system responds to stress, overwhelm and perceived threat and how to identify these responses. We’ll explore practical support for safety, orientation and self-regulation. You’ll look at the impact of language, touch and the role of consent, learning simple adaptations that make classes more accessible to everyone.
Cost: £45 Book Here
Bertie Jesson is an experienced BWY (Diploma Course Tutor) and IQA (Independent Quality Assurer). She has taught Yoga for 22 years and Yoga Teacher Training for 12 years, training over 60 yoga teachers in that time. She teaches regular classes at Vishuddha and online and runs CPD and A&P Workshops around the country and yearly retreats in Greece.
Katrin Heuser Katrin holds a 500h Level 4 NVQ Yoga Teaching qualification, is trained in Manual Lymph Drainage and has studied extensively in Thai Yoga Massage and Osteothai, including a Master Osteothai qualification, over the past years. Through her work as a bodyworker comes also her understanding of trauma, chronic conditions and pain, as well as the influence of working with fascia, the craniosacral system, structural support and regulation of the nervous system. Katrin is based in Lisbon and offers foundation and advanced training courses in Thai Massage and trauma-informed Yoga worldwide.
The workshop will be joined by Netia Mayman, retired 500 hrs yoga teacher, Safeguarding lead at Vishuddha and two other organisations. Her role is to support the development of what we hope will be an innovative and successful course, making an ongoing contribution to the Oxford yoga community. She will also be available for individual discussion about all aspects of safeguarding including for those who find that difficult or sensitive issues are raised.
Please note that the safeguarding elements of this course do not attempt to replace trainings offered by the Oxfordshire adult and childrens’ safeguarding boards. Nor do they substitute for the important Safeguarding module that should be offered by any reputable teacher training.