Warrior Yoga:

a 50-hour online trauma-informed yoga teacher training by Nest


A trauma and nervous system-informed training for yoga teachers seeking to meet survivors where they are.

Healthcare professionals, survivors and their loved ones are welcome.

You will learn:

  • How and why traumatic stress develops, is maintained, and is transmuted 

  • How to create safer spaces for people with trauma 

  • How yoga and related practices can support and empower trauma survivors in their healing 

  • How to integrate principles of trauma-informed yoga into your life and work, including how to work with service agencies 

  • What ancient yoga philosophy has to offer trauma survivors

  • What emerging research suggests about the links between trauma, yoga and healing

Meet your teacher

Cassie Connor is a trauma-informed yoga teacher and yoga therapist (C-IAYT) who has worked with survivors recovering from human trafficking, sexual violence, childhood abuse and poverty since 2018. She co-founded Warrior Yoga, an international nonprofit which provided free, trauma-informed yoga practices to thousands of people before the organization lost funding in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Since then, Cassie completed an 800-hour yoga therapy program with the School of Embodied Yoga Therapy. She enrolled in a Masters in Counselling Psychology, worked on a research study exploring yoga and schizophrenia at the Royal, and designed and hosted two 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training programs focusing on an inclusive and trauma-informed approach to vinyasa yoga. She currently works as a clinical yoga therapist in Nelson, BC., and hosts yoga and art retreats through her company Nest Retreats.

As a survivor who has benefited greatly from the healing power of yoga, Cassie is on a mission to ensure that yoga practices can meet survivors where they are, providing a space of safety, compassion, healing and empowerment. She is endlessly grateful for the ancient yogis who cultivated, preserved and passed the teachings of yoga through hundreds of centuries, allowing many of us to live today more freely and at peace. 


This program is a culmination of 10 years of education and training, as well as 13 years of personal practice. Learn more about Cassie’s education and experience here.

This program is for you, if you’re interested in:

  • Guiding safe and supportive yoga practices for trauma-impacted communities

  • Supporting the trauma survivors already in your group yoga, fitness, or meditation classes

  • Integrating principles of trauma-informed practice into your work

  • Learning how yoga can support your own healing and growth

  • Exploring the intersections between ancient yogic wisdom and modern scientific research

4 modules.

40 live session hours + 10 hours of independent work.

Live sessions will be hosted ONLINE twice weekly over 8 weeks October 1-November 23rd:

  • Tuesdays 6-8:30pm EST /  3-5:30pm PST 

  • Saturdays 12pm-2:30pm EST / 9-11:30am PST

  • Learn about nervous system responses to stressful and traumatic events and circumstances.

    In this module, we will explore nervous system intelligence, triggers, glimmers and nervous system resourcing.

  • Learn how traumatic responses can manifest as long term mental and physical health challenges, shifts in worldview, and connectedness.

    You may have heard that "the body keeps the score" in terms of traumatic experiences. In this module, we will explore what that really means in the context of topics such as stress, childhood trauma, oppression, violence, and more.

  • Learn how to make a yoga practice safe and supportive for trauma survivors with ancient yogic philosophy and current scientific research woven throughout.

    In this module, we'll explore how to hold space for survivors to reclaim their agency through yoga, inclusive cueing for asana, pranayama and meditation, and the role of community.

  • Learn how to practically use the knowledge you've learned to support trauma-survivors as a yoga teacher or health practitioner.

    In this module, we'll explore how you'll integrate trauma-informed yoga into your current and future work in the world.

The Details:

Assessing readiness

The topics discussed in this training will be heavy, especially in module 2. We recognize that, very often, it is trauma survivors themselves who seek out this work. We will not be able to provide mental health support directly throughout the training. We highly recommend having mental health supports in place and carefully considering if it is the right time for you to take this training. Please take good care 💛.

Attendance

Recordings are available if you cannot attend the session live. You will have access to the recordings only for the length of the training. 70% of sessions must be attended live in order to enrich group discussions.

Assignments*

*Assignments are optional for anyone taking the course for their own learning (not receiving a certificate).

Assignment 1: Reflection

A 1-2 page reflection on any book from the reading list. This can be completed before, during, or after the 8 week class period.

Assignment 2: Practicum
A 20-30 minute class sample will demonstrate the integration of trauma-informed yoga principles into a yoga practice of your choice. If you’re not currently a yoga teacher, we can discuss alternate ways to demonstrate inclusion of trauma-informed principles into your chosen modality.

If you would like to receive a certificate at the end of the course, submission of all assignments is required by December 20th, 2024.

In order to obtain a certificate, you will need to:

  • Attend at least 70% of sessions live (and watch the remaining 30%)

  • Participate in class discussions

  • Read at least 1 book from the reading list

  • Complete all assignments by December 20th, 2024

  • Demonstrate the integration of trauma-informed principles in your practicum assessment 

  • Pay your full tuition

Group size:

We’ll take a maximum of 25 students to ensure enrolled students receive adequate attention and support.

Cost:

$800+GST. A $300 nonrefundable deposit is to be paid upon registration. The remaining balance is due by September 1st, 2024.

10% of your tuition will be allocated to the Warrior Yoga Community Fund which supports us in providing sliding scale yoga therapy, retreats and yoga teacher trainings for community members facing financial barriers. We match your contribution in order to sustainably maximize our impact.

Here’s what’s included:

  • 40 hours of live learning + recordings available for a limited time

  • Access to informational slides used

  • Detailed feedback on assignments + practicum

  • 3 hours of small group mentorship with Cassie post-training, to be scheduled for January, February, and March of 2025. 

  • 6 month Nest at Home membership, with access to:

    • Weekly trauma-informed yoga nidra practice 

    • Monthly trauma-informed yoga ceremony 

    • + access to the prerecorded library of yoga nidra practices & ceremonies

  • 10% off any Nest Retreats - valid for 2 years

Scholarships:

3 x $500 scholarships are available with priority access allocated to applicants with low income from BIPOC, 2SGLBTQIA+ communities.

The deadline to apply for a scholarship is August 15th, 2024.

Ready to apply?

Any questions?

I’d love to discuss the program with you. Book a free call with Cassie here or submit a question.