The Vikara Way
Takoma Park, MD
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Purpose
Trauma is prevalent and unavoidable among members of our communities – yet it is invisible to the eye. Any and every person can be struggling with trauma, also called toxic stress, and it can be undetectable.
What to expect
Adaptations of trauma-informed approaches have been adopted by established organizations and leaders in all professions as they are motivated to excel and opt for a culturally competent environment as a means of improvement. Being considerate of one’s life experiences enhances engagement, health outcomes, provider, and staff wellness.1 As mind-body teachers, our primary goal is to improve student quality of life and minimize harm. To maximize positive outcomes, a trauma-informed approach is an effective tool. Yoga is proven to be an exceptional solution to emotional dysregulation, a primary contributor to the trauma experience, among a plethora of other mental and physical benefits.2 As such, the prevalence of efficient, effective instructors is essential to improving the field of mind-body wellness. Mind-body teachers who are qualified or trained to be trauma-informed and cognizant of mental health issues are beneficial to student health and wellbeing, with studies showing a vast improvement in their quality of life and retention of attendance. Dropout rates are incredibly high for those suffering from trauma or toxic stress – and students need encouragement best provided by knowledgeable teachers. A study on the effects of exercise on stress conditions found that suitably qualified instructors decreased drop out rates significantly and helped students develop a stronger sense of competence and social relatedness (Stubbs 2017).3
Style/Lineage
The Vikara Way™ exists to raise the standard of trauma-informed yoga — cultivating teachers who lead with integrity, grounded discernment, and steady presence. This certification exists for experienced yoga teachers who are ready to move beyond cautiously trying to "do trauma-informed yoga right" — toward becoming steady, self-aware teachers who trust their presence and decisions in the room. Through self-guided study and live mentorship, you'll develop the steadiness, grounded discernment, and attuned leadership required to teach ethically, confidently, and professionally. Upon completion, you'll graduate as a Vikara Village® Certified Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher and join a growing community of trauma-informed professionals committed to raising the standard of care in yoga.
Core competencies
By the end of this program, graduates will be able to…
| Teaching Skills |
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| Yoga History & Theory |
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| Practice Skills |
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| Lifestyle & Ethics |
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AYC allows each school to state and evaluate the competencies each student acquires. Students rate how well the program delivered them.
Program Emphasis
Evaluation methods
Program evaluations
- Solo Project Or Presentation
- Other
- Graded Skill Demonstration
- Direct Observation
- Written Submission
Through self-guided study and live mentorship, you’ll develop the steadiness, grounded discernment, and attuned leadership required to teach ethically, confidently, and professionally. Upon completion, you’ll graduate as a Vikara Village® Certified Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher and be welcomed into a growing community of trauma-informed professionals committed to raising the standard of care in yoga. While a graded exam is not a requirement of the program, we will have reflective exercises and a final project to evaluate your integration of the learned material. Through the live interactions, you will have an open space for case consultation, skill exploration, and honest questions about the material. The final project is the culmination of The Vikara Way™ certification. You will apply the Trauma-Informed Yoga Framework in a real teaching context — either independently or with a small group of students — and produce a written reflection on the process, outcomes, and your own experience as the teacher.
Program Faculty
Featured Faculty
