Advanced Embodied Practice for Yoga Teachers and Bodywork Professionals
Why train with us
This unique training blends advanced somatic (body-oriented) practices and the deep work of Yin Yoga to create a safe and therapeutic space for students, especially the ones with trauma histories.
As a student you will be encouraged to grow a more introspective, insightful practice and support authentic movement and release while focusing on fascia and trigger points.
You will be gently guided by licensed psychologists and experienced yoga teachers who mindfully designed this program for overcoming all possible obstacles and challenges in your job.
The course/hours count as Continuing Education hours for Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT®) only.
Upon completion of the training you will obtain two certifcates:
- a Somatic Therapy Certificate issued by CMA Complementary Medical Association
- a 85-hr YTT Trauma-informed Somatic Yin Yoga Certificate
Highlights
- Learn how yoga impacts the body, providing tools for nervous system regulation
- Discover the most advanced embodiment techniques used in modern somatics
- Train with acknowledged and inspiring teachers with decades of expertise in the field
- Include trauma-informed sequences to implement your existing practice
- Stay in a top-rated rainforest eco-lodge near the beautiful Arenal Lake in Costa Rica
Your Stay
We are nestled in the stunning volcanic highlands on the Caribbean slope next to Arenal Lake and La Fortuna, just 2 hour and a half from San Josè. The Rainforest and Eco-Lodge, rated one of the best in Costa Rica, is the most amazing piece of land rich in pure spring water, streams and jaw dropping views. The area is surrounded by natural beauty with plenty of wildlife, waterfalls, and national parks.
The Family Bungalows are located near the swimming pool and solar-heated Jacuzzi and overlook lovely fields.
All family bungalows have two private bedrooms (one with a queen bed and one with two single beds) and two single beds in the foyer. Also, a tea and coffee setup is available every morning for you to enjoy while taking in the sights and sounds of the rainforest.
Casa Luna has four spacious rooms, each with a private bathroom with hot water and either a king or queen bed and one single bed. When you step outside of your room, you will enjoy a second-floor wrap-around porch with hammocks and stunning views of the surrounding hills and mountains. Downstairs you will find an open-air lounge area with comfortable couches and chairs plus a coffee and tea setup. Do not be surprised if a butterfly flutters by!
PROGRAM
Arrival Day
- 12:00 Welcome ceremony and orientation briefing. Handover of programs and materials.
- 14:00 Trauma and Complex Trauma: integrating knowledge into practice workshop
- 15:30 Learn the nervous system mapping (Polyvagal Theory) workshop
- 17:00 Breathwork series: co-regulating the Nervous system
Day 2
- 07:00 Yin yoga practice and meditation
- 09:00 Somatic Therapy: Pendulation and Titration (between comfort and discomfort) workshop
- 10:30 Somatic Release Principles within a Trauma-informed approach workshop
- 13:30 Gentle trauma-informed flow: practical series
- 15:30 Partner Activity: tracking sensations and creating trust
- 17:99 Yin yoga practice
Day 3
- 07:00 Yin yoga and meditation practice
- 09:00 Somatic experiencing: the felt sense as a gateway workshop
- 10:30 Emotions as bodily signals: containment and expression workshop
- 13:30 Somatic movement for self-expression
- 15:30 Guided trauma discharge: shaking, trembling, cathartic series
- 17:00 Yin yoga practice with somatic release (pelvic area and legs series)
Day 4
- 07:00 Yin yoga and meditation practice
- 09:00 Somatic boundary setting flow
- 11:00 Somatic release (shoulders, arms and chest series)
- 13:30 Somatic release (head and neck series)
- 15:30 Wrapping up: trauma-informed sequence in groups
- 17:00 Yin yoga practice
Day 5
- 07:00 Yin yoga and meditation practice
- 09:00 What is Yin yoga, its benefits and principles, Yin yoga history
- 11:00 Exploring Yin yoga poses
- 13:30 Exploring Yin yoga poses
- 15:30 Anatomy of Yin yoga
- 17:00 Yin yoga practice
Day 6
- 07:00 Yin yoga and meditation practice
- 09:00 – 12:00 Yin yoga meridians
- 14:00 The art of sequencing a Yin yoga class
- 15:30 Questionnaire and assessments
Day 7
- 07:30 Meditation and somatic integrative session + group assessment
- 09:30 Q&A plus personal advice
- 11:30 Closing ceremony + certificates
Meet your Instructors
Daniela Romanò
Elisa Fusi
ELISA is an Italian medical biologist and psychologist with a research focus on neuroscience. As an explorer of human nature, she encourages the natural merging of medicine and psychology working with the mind-body unit as a fundamental paradygm. After a near-death experience her quest for a more complete understanding of human consciousness became stronger. In 2011 she founded an environmental organization before establishing Alquimia, an educational center and intentional space in the Guatemalan jungle that promotes alternative teachings on Herbalism, and Medicine. She currently moved the Centre to Costa Rica where to start a profound connection with the land and the people and continue in offering courses and sessions.
About the Training
Key principles include encouraging autonomy and choice, using invitational language, fostering body awareness, and understanding the polyvagal theory of the nervous system.
Yoga teachers learn to recognize how yoga impacts the body, providing tools for self-regulation, supporting student agency, and teaching in a trauma-responsive manner to facilitate healing and empowerment.
Yin Yoga focus:
Learn how to safely guide and sequence a yin yoga practice that is inclusive and focused on releasing trapped emotions and trauma in the body. You’ll learn about the main Traditional Chinese Medicine meridians and the specific yin yoga poses that support the flow of Chi throughout the meridians and the body.
Somatic focus:
This approach recognizes that trauma can be stored in the body, leading to chronic tension or heightened stress responses. Somatic therapy helps individuals deeply connect with their bodies to process emotions and release repressed memories and thoughts.
Trauma-informed techniques:
Teaching with a trauma-informed lens means creating an environment that prioritizes safety, choice, trust, and empowerment for all students, especially those with a history of trauma and sensory processing disorders like ADHD.
De-escalation protocols:
Be prepared to recognize and respond to a student’s trauma response during a class using advanced sensorimotor therapy techniques such as pendulation and titration.
Skill level
- Beginner
- Intermediate
- Advanced
Style
- Yin Yoga
FEES
- 2600 $ USD per person (shared bungalow, double occupancy)
LIMITED SPOTS AVAILABLE
- Fees don’t include airline tickets and transfers.
DEPOSIT REQUIRED: 1300$
INCLUSIONS
- 6 nights accommodation
- 3 daily delicious, organic and home-made meals
- Water, herbal tea, organic coffee served throughout the day
- Specialized workshops with tailored advice
- Course manual somatic therapy
- Course manual Yin yoga
- 2 Certificates
- The course/hours count as Continuing Education hours for Registered Yoga Teachers (RYT®) only
- Pre- and post-course support from Chandra Karuna Yoga
- WiFi connection
- Pool and heated jacuzzi
Three delicious organic farm-to-table meals are served every day. It is possible to tailor meals for vegan, gluten- and lactose-intolerant, and other specific meals on request.
Local chefs will prepare homemade dishes with healthy and simple ingredients following your daily routine.
The following meals are included:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Drinks
We serve:
- Vegetarian
- Vegan
- Gluten Free
- Lactose Free
